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 (C), accounting for 18.4% (38,266 people). This share was lower than Greater Sydney (21.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69), which increased by 4,666 people and 1.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Fairfield (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Fairfield (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Fairfield (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
10,847
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
10,847
5.2%
-0.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
17,958
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
17,958
8.6%
-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
17,035
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
17,035
8.2%
0.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
20,540
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
20,540
9.9%
-0.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
27,033
% of total
13.0%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
27,033
13.0%
-0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
38,266
% of total
18.4%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
38,266
18.4%
-0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
28,000
% of total
13.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
28,000
13.4%
-0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
25,172
% of total
12.1%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
25,172
12.1%
+1.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
19,174
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
19,174
9.2%
+1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
4,448
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
4,448
2.1%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-1,239
-0.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+59
-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+788
0.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-654
-0.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-42
-0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-45
-0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+886
-0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+4,666
+1.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+4,395
+1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+862
+0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Fairfield (C). 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) | 10,847 | 5.2% | 6.0% | 12,086 | 6.1% | 6.4% | -1,239 | -0.9pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 17,958 | 8.6% | 8.8% | 17,899 | 9.0% | 8.8% | +59 | -0.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 17,035 | 8.2% | 7.1% | 16,247 | 8.2% | 6.9% | +788 | 0.0pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 20,540 | 9.9% | 8.8% | 21,194 | 10.7% | 9.6% | -654 | -0.8pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 27,033 | 13.0% | 15.5% | 27,075 | 13.6% | 16.1% | -42 | -0.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 38,266 | 18.4% | 21.5% | 38,311 | 19.3% | 21.1% | -45 | -0.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 28,000 | 13.4% | 12.0% | 27,114 | 13.6% | 12.2% | +886 | -0.2pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 25,172 | 12.1% | 9.8% | 20,506 | 10.3% | 9.5% | +4,666 | +1.8pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 19,174 | 9.2% | 8.7% | 14,779 | 7.4% | 7.5% | +4,395 | +1.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 4,448 | 2.1% | 2.0% | 3,586 | 1.8% | 2.0% | +862 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 208,475 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 198,817 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +9,658 | 0.0pp |