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 Balmain, accounting for 25.9% (2,707 people). This share was higher than Inner West (A) (24.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which decreased by 300 people and 2.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Balmain - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Balmain in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Inner West (A) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Balmain, with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
625
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
625
6.0%
-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
818
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
818
7.8%
0.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
617
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
617
5.9%
+1.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
549
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
549
5.3%
+0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,300
% of total
12.4%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
1,300
12.4%
-2.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
2,707
% of total
25.9%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
2,707
25.9%
-0.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,554
% of total
14.9%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
1,554
14.9%
+0.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
1,152
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,152
11.0%
-0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
1,017
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
1,017
9.7%
+2.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
136
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
136
1.3%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-80
-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+3
0.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+128
+1.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+2
+0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-300
-2.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-85
-0.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+78
+0.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-16
-0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+280
+2.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+25
+0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Balmain. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Inner West (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Inner West (A)% | Count | % | Inner West (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 625 | 6.0% | 5.0% | 705 | 6.7% | 5.9% | -80 | -0.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 818 | 7.8% | 6.8% | 815 | 7.8% | 7.1% | +3 | 0.0pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 617 | 5.9% | 5.3% | 489 | 4.7% | 4.6% | +128 | +1.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 549 | 5.3% | 7.8% | 547 | 5.2% | 8.5% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,300 | 12.4% | 19.3% | 1,600 | 15.3% | 20.3% | -300 | -2.9pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 2,707 | 25.9% | 24.2% | 2,792 | 26.7% | 24.8% | -85 | -0.8pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,554 | 14.9% | 12.7% | 1,476 | 14.1% | 12.0% | +78 | +0.8pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 1,152 | 11.0% | 9.1% | 1,168 | 11.2% | 8.6% | -16 | -0.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 1,017 | 9.7% | 7.9% | 737 | 7.1% | 6.6% | +280 | +2.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 136 | 1.3% | 2.0% | 111 | 1.1% | 1.7% | +25 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 10,454 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,453 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1 | 0.0pp |