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, Seniors (70 to 84) was the most common category among residents in Federation (A), accounting for 18.4% (2,378 people). This share was higher than Regional NSW (13%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 465 people and 2.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Federation (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Federation (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional NSW and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Federation (A), with comparison markers for Regional NSW.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
598
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
598
4.6%
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
963
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
963
7.5%
-1.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
880
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
880
6.8%
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
772
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
772
6.0%
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,136
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
1,136
8.8%
+0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,861
% of total
14.4%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
1,861
14.4%
-1.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,730
% of total
13.4%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
1,730
13.4%
-1.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
2,118
% of total
16.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
2,118
16.4%
0.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
2,378
% of total
18.4%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
2,378
18.4%
+2.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
471
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
471
3.7%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-28
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-79
-1.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+32
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-9
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+147
+0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-54
-1.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-36
-1.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+105
0.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+465
+2.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+61
+0.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for Federation (A). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional NSW.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | % | Regional NSW% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 598 | 4.6% | 5.5% | 626 | 5.1% | 5.8% | -28 | -0.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 963 | 7.5% | 8.6% | 1,042 | 8.5% | 8.9% | -79 | -1.0pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 880 | 6.8% | 7.4% | 848 | 6.9% | 7.3% | +32 | -0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 772 | 6.0% | 7.6% | 781 | 6.4% | 7.9% | -9 | -0.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,136 | 8.8% | 11.6% | 989 | 8.1% | 11.0% | +147 | +0.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,861 | 14.4% | 17.5% | 1,915 | 15.6% | 18.0% | -54 | -1.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,730 | 13.4% | 12.8% | 1,766 | 14.4% | 13.8% | -36 | -1.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 2,118 | 16.4% | 13.3% | 2,013 | 16.4% | 13.1% | +105 | 0.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 2,378 | 18.4% | 13.0% | 1,913 | 15.6% | 11.4% | +465 | +2.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 471 | 3.7% | 2.8% | 410 | 3.3% | 2.7% | +61 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 12,899 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 12,277 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +622 | 0.0pp |