Population
Service age groups
About this topic
Service age groups divide the population into broad life-stage bands such as children, young adults, working-age adults, and older people. The groupings are designed to reflect typical demand for age-based services and facilities rather than exact five-year cohorts.
This view is useful for planning childcare, schools, recreation, aged services, and other community infrastructure. It works best alongside five year age groups, household type, and dwelling data, which add more detail about who is living in an area and how needs may change over time.
Interpretation notes
- This is a derived grouping rather than a direct Census question, so the age bands are planning-oriented summaries built from standard age data.
- Percentages relate to the total population; use five year age groups when exact cohort detail matters.
Related topics
Key insight
In 2021, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in Camden (A), accounting for 22.4% (26,686 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (21.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 9,492 people and 0.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Camden (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Camden (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Camden (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
11,198
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
11,198
9.4%
+1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
13,655
% of total
11.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
13,655
11.4%
+0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
9,875
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
9,875
8.3%
-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
9,857
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
9,857
8.3%
-0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
19,443
% of total
16.3%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
19,443
16.3%
+1.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
26,686
% of total
22.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
26,686
22.4%
+0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
11,963
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
11,963
10.0%
-0.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
8,693
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
8,693
7.3%
-0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
6,730
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
6,730
5.6%
+0.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
1,224
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,224
1.0%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+4,643
+1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+4,957
+0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+3,173
-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+2,901
-0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+7,544
+1.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+9,492
+0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+3,406
-0.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+2,316
-0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+2,436
+0.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+247
-0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Camden (A). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 11,198 | 9.4% | 6.0% | 6,555 | 8.4% | 6.4% | +4,643 | +1.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 13,655 | 11.4% | 8.8% | 8,698 | 11.1% | 8.8% | +4,957 | +0.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 9,875 | 8.3% | 7.1% | 6,702 | 8.6% | 6.9% | +3,173 | -0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 9,857 | 8.3% | 8.8% | 6,956 | 8.9% | 9.6% | +2,901 | -0.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 19,443 | 16.3% | 15.5% | 11,899 | 15.2% | 16.1% | +7,544 | +1.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 26,686 | 22.4% | 21.5% | 17,194 | 22.0% | 21.1% | +9,492 | +0.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 11,963 | 10.0% | 12.0% | 8,557 | 10.9% | 12.2% | +3,406 | -0.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 8,693 | 7.3% | 9.8% | 6,377 | 8.2% | 9.5% | +2,316 | -0.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 6,730 | 5.6% | 8.7% | 4,294 | 5.5% | 7.5% | +2,436 | +0.1pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 1,224 | 1.0% | 2.0% | 977 | 1.2% | 2.0% | +247 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 119,325 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 78,218 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +41,107 | 0.0pp |