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 Wetherill Park, accounting for 18% (1,155 people). This share was lower than Fairfield (C) (18.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 222 people and 3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Wetherill Park - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Wetherill Park in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Fairfield (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Wetherill Park, with comparison markers for Fairfield (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
333
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
333
5.2%
-1.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
568
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
568
8.9%
+0.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
508
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
508
7.9%
+1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
512
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
512
8.0%
-1.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
828
% of total
12.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
828
12.9%
-0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,155
% of total
18.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,155
18.0%
-0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
770
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
770
12.0%
-1.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
877
% of total
13.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
877
13.7%
-0.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
752
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
+3.0pp
752
11.7%
+3.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
114
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
114
1.8%
+0.5pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-61
-1.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+80
+0.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+90
+1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-96
-1.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+25
-0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+27
-0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-39
-1.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+4
-0.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+222
+3.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+32
+0.5pp
Data table
Service age groups for Wetherill Park. 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) | 333 | 5.2% | 5.2% | 394 | 6.4% | 6.1% | -61 | -1.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 568 | 8.9% | 8.6% | 488 | 8.0% | 9.0% | +80 | +0.9pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 508 | 7.9% | 8.2% | 418 | 6.8% | 8.2% | +90 | +1.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 512 | 8.0% | 9.9% | 608 | 9.9% | 10.7% | -96 | -1.9pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 828 | 12.9% | 13.0% | 803 | 13.1% | 13.6% | +25 | -0.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,155 | 18.0% | 18.4% | 1,128 | 18.4% | 19.3% | +27 | -0.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 770 | 12.0% | 13.4% | 809 | 13.2% | 13.6% | -39 | -1.2pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 877 | 13.7% | 12.1% | 873 | 14.2% | 10.3% | +4 | -0.5pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 752 | 11.7% | 9.2% | 530 | 8.7% | 7.4% | +222 | +3.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 114 | 1.8% | 2.1% | 82 | 1.3% | 1.8% | +32 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 6,412 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,127 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +285 | 0.0pp |