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 Heights, accounting for 18.7% (1,544 people). This share was higher than Fairfield (C) (18.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24), which increased by 486 people and 4.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Fairfield Heights - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Fairfield Heights 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 Heights, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
460
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
460
5.6%
-1.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
803
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
803
9.7%
+1.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
781
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
+4.2pp
781
9.4%
+4.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
773
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
+4.4pp
773
9.3%
+4.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,006
% of total
12.2%
Change from 2016
-5.5pp
1,006
12.2%
-5.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,544
% of total
18.7%
Change from 2016
-5.6pp
1,544
18.7%
-5.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,112
% of total
13.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,112
13.4%
+0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
935
% of total
11.3%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
935
11.3%
+1.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
715
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
715
8.6%
+0.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
162
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
162
2.0%
+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)
+56
-1.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+343
+1.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+477
+4.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+486
+4.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-25
-5.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+125
-5.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+354
+0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+376
+1.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+233
+0.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+49
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Fairfield Heights. 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) | 460 | 5.6% | 5.2% | 404 | 6.9% | 6.1% | +56 | -1.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 803 | 9.7% | 8.6% | 460 | 7.9% | 9.0% | +343 | +1.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 781 | 9.4% | 8.2% | 304 | 5.2% | 8.2% | +477 | +4.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 773 | 9.3% | 9.9% | 287 | 4.9% | 10.7% | +486 | +4.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,006 | 12.2% | 13.0% | 1,031 | 17.7% | 13.6% | -25 | -5.5pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,544 | 18.7% | 18.4% | 1,419 | 24.3% | 19.3% | +125 | -5.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,112 | 13.4% | 13.4% | 758 | 13.0% | 13.6% | +354 | +0.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 935 | 11.3% | 12.1% | 559 | 9.6% | 10.3% | +376 | +1.7pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 715 | 8.6% | 9.2% | 482 | 8.3% | 7.4% | +233 | +0.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 162 | 2.0% | 2.1% | 113 | 1.9% | 1.8% | +49 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 8,269 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,840 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,429 | 0.0pp |