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 Merrylands West, accounting for 20.3% (1,430 people). This share was lower than Cumberland (A) (21%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 1,387 people and 1.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Merrylands West - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Merrylands West in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cumberland (A) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Merrylands West, with comparison markers for Cumberland (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
459
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
459
6.5%
+1.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
645
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-7.3pp
645
9.1%
-7.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
573
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
573
8.1%
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
652
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
652
9.2%
+2.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,075
% of total
15.2%
Change from 2016
+7.2pp
1,075
15.2%
+7.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,430
% of total
20.3%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
1,430
20.3%
+1.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
768
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
768
10.9%
-2.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
614
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
614
8.7%
+2.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
620
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
620
8.8%
-3.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
231
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
231
3.3%
+2.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+447
+1.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+608
-7.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+555
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+636
+2.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+1,057
+7.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+1,387
+1.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+737
-2.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+601
+2.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+592
-3.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+228
+2.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Merrylands West. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cumberland (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Cumberland (A)% | Count | % | Cumberland (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 459 | 6.5% | 7.0% | 12 | 5.3% | 7.8% | +447 | +1.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 645 | 9.1% | 9.4% | 37 | 16.4% | 9.4% | +608 | -7.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 573 | 8.1% | 6.7% | 18 | 8.0% | 6.6% | +555 | +0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 652 | 9.2% | 10.1% | 16 | 7.1% | 10.4% | +636 | +2.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,075 | 15.2% | 18.5% | 18 | 8.0% | 19.5% | +1,057 | +7.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,430 | 20.3% | 21.0% | 43 | 19.1% | 19.9% | +1,387 | +1.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 768 | 10.9% | 10.6% | 31 | 13.8% | 10.8% | +737 | -2.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 614 | 8.7% | 8.4% | 13 | 5.8% | 7.9% | +601 | +2.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 620 | 8.8% | 6.8% | 28 | 12.4% | 6.0% | +592 | -3.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 231 | 3.3% | 1.5% | 3 | 1.3% | 1.5% | +228 | +2.0pp |
| Total | 7,054 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 225 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,829 | 0.0pp |