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.

Key insight

In 2021, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in Old Guildford, accounting for 16.7% (477 people). This share was lower than Fairfield (C) (18.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Secondary schoolers (12 to 17), which increased by 56 people and 1.4 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Old Guildford - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Old Guildford in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Fairfield (C) and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Old Guildford, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).

Old Guildford
Fairfield (C)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

247

% of total

8.6%

Change from 2016

-1.8pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

356

% of total

12.5%

Change from 2016

-0.7pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

272

% of total

9.5%

Change from 2016

+1.4pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

337

% of total

11.8%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

467

% of total

16.3%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

477

% of total

16.7%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

274

% of total

9.6%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

217

% of total

7.6%

Change from 2016

+0.7pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

161

% of total

5.6%

Change from 2016

+1.1pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

36

% of total

1.3%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Data table

Service age groups for Old Guildford. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).

Service age groups for Old Guildford. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).
Service age groups for Old Guildford. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Fairfield (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Fairfield (C)%Count%Fairfield (C)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)2478.6%5.2%27610.4%6.1%-29-1.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)35612.5%8.6%35113.2%9.0%+5-0.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)2729.5%8.2%2168.1%8.2%+56+1.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)33711.8%9.9%31311.8%10.7%+240.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)46716.3%13.0%44916.9%13.6%+18-0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)47716.7%18.4%44316.6%19.3%+34+0.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)2749.6%13.4%27210.2%13.6%+2-0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)2177.6%12.1%1856.9%10.3%+32+0.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)1615.6%9.2%1194.5%7.4%+42+1.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)361.3%2.1%301.1%1.8%+6+0.2pp
Total2,857100.0%100.0%2,663100.0%100.0%+1940.0pp