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 Birchgrove, accounting for 21% (677 people). This share was lower than Inner West (A) (24.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 140 people and 3.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Birchgrove - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Birchgrove 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 Birchgrove, with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
160
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
160
5.0%
-1.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
276
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
276
8.6%
-0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
222
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
222
6.9%
+1.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
154
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
154
4.8%
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
299
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
299
9.3%
-0.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
677
% of total
21.0%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
677
21.0%
-3.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
517
% of total
16.0%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
517
16.0%
+0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
461
% of total
14.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
461
14.3%
+0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
402
% of total
12.5%
Change from 2016
+4.4pp
402
12.5%
+4.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
36
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
36
1.1%
+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)
-68
-1.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-34
-0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+44
+1.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-19
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-38
-0.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-140
-3.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+8
+0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+3
+0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+136
+4.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+12
+0.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for Birchgrove. 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) | 160 | 5.0% | 5.0% | 228 | 6.9% | 5.9% | -68 | -1.9pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 276 | 8.6% | 6.8% | 310 | 9.4% | 7.1% | -34 | -0.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 222 | 6.9% | 5.3% | 178 | 5.4% | 4.6% | +44 | +1.5pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 154 | 4.8% | 7.8% | 173 | 5.2% | 8.5% | -19 | -0.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 299 | 9.3% | 19.3% | 337 | 10.2% | 20.3% | -38 | -0.9pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 677 | 21.0% | 24.2% | 817 | 24.7% | 24.8% | -140 | -3.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 517 | 16.0% | 12.7% | 509 | 15.4% | 12.0% | +8 | +0.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 461 | 14.3% | 9.1% | 458 | 13.9% | 8.6% | +3 | +0.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 402 | 12.5% | 7.9% | 266 | 8.1% | 6.6% | +136 | +4.4pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 36 | 1.1% | 2.0% | 24 | 0.7% | 1.7% | +12 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 3,228 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,303 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -75 | 0.0pp |