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 Fairfield East, accounting for 18.8% (978 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (18.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 978 people and 18.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Fairfield East - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Fairfield East in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Fairfield (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Fairfield East, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
304
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
+5.8pp
304
5.8%
+5.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
468
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
+9.0pp
468
9.0%
+9.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
475
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-6.7pp
475
9.1%
-6.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
541
% of total
10.4%
Change from 2016
+10.4pp
541
10.4%
+10.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
647
% of total
12.4%
Change from 2016
+12.4pp
647
12.4%
+12.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
978
% of total
18.8%
Change from 2016
+18.8pp
978
18.8%
+18.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
668
% of total
12.9%
Change from 2016
-18.7pp
668
12.9%
-18.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
560
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
-5.0pp
560
10.8%
-5.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
438
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
+8.4pp
438
8.4%
+8.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
120
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
120
2.3%
+2.3pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+304
+5.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+468
+9.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+472
-6.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+541
+10.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+647
+12.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+978
+18.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+662
-18.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+557
-5.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+438
+8.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+120
+2.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Fairfield East. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Fairfield (C)% | Count | % | Fairfield (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 304 | 5.8% | 5.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 6.1% | +304 | +5.8pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 468 | 9.0% | 8.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 9.0% | +468 | +9.0pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 475 | 9.1% | 8.2% | 3 | 15.8% | 8.2% | +472 | -6.7pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 541 | 10.4% | 9.9% | 0 | 0.0% | 10.7% | +541 | +10.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 647 | 12.4% | 13.0% | 0 | 0.0% | 13.6% | +647 | +12.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 978 | 18.8% | 18.4% | 0 | 0.0% | 19.3% | +978 | +18.8pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 668 | 12.9% | 13.4% | 6 | 31.6% | 13.6% | +662 | -18.7pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 560 | 10.8% | 12.1% | 3 | 15.8% | 10.3% | +557 | -5.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 438 | 8.4% | 9.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 7.4% | +438 | +8.4pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 120 | 2.3% | 2.1% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.8% | +120 | +2.3pp |
| Total | 5,198 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 19 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,179 | 0.0pp |