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 Central Coast (C) (NSW), accounting for 18.3% (63,293 people). This share was lower than Greater Sydney (21.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 7,370 people and 1.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Central Coast (C) (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Central Coast (C) (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Central Coast (C) (NSW), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
19,414
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
19,414
5.6%
-0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
29,738
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
29,738
8.6%
-0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
25,777
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
25,777
7.4%
0.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
26,179
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
26,179
7.6%
-0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
38,126
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
38,126
11.0%
+0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
63,293
% of total
18.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
63,293
18.3%
-0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
44,716
% of total
12.9%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
44,716
12.9%
-0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
43,162
% of total
12.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
43,162
12.5%
+0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
45,635
% of total
13.2%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
45,635
13.2%
+1.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
10,548
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
10,548
3.0%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+227
-0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+542
-0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+1,635
0.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+175
-0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+2,848
+0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+2,182
-0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+794
-0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+2,799
+0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+7,370
+1.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+272
-0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Central Coast (C) (NSW). 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) | 19,414 | 5.6% | 6.0% | 19,187 | 5.9% | 6.4% | +227 | -0.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 29,738 | 8.6% | 8.8% | 29,196 | 8.9% | 8.8% | +542 | -0.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 25,777 | 7.4% | 7.1% | 24,142 | 7.4% | 6.9% | +1,635 | 0.0pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 26,179 | 7.6% | 8.8% | 26,004 | 7.9% | 9.6% | +175 | -0.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 38,126 | 11.0% | 15.5% | 35,278 | 10.8% | 16.1% | +2,848 | +0.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 63,293 | 18.3% | 21.5% | 61,111 | 18.6% | 21.1% | +2,182 | -0.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 44,716 | 12.9% | 12.0% | 43,922 | 13.4% | 12.2% | +794 | -0.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 43,162 | 12.5% | 9.8% | 40,363 | 12.3% | 9.5% | +2,799 | +0.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 45,635 | 13.2% | 8.7% | 38,265 | 11.7% | 7.5% | +7,370 | +1.5pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 10,548 | 3.0% | 2.0% | 10,276 | 3.1% | 2.0% | +272 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 346,596 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 327,736 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +18,860 | 0.0pp |