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 Dulwich Hill, accounting for 24.7% (3,468 people). This share was higher than Inner West (A) (24.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69), which increased by 161 people and 1 percentage point.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Dulwich Hill - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Dulwich Hill 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 Dulwich Hill, with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
669
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
669
4.8%
-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
920
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
920
6.5%
-1.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
802
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
802
5.7%
+0.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
992
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
992
7.1%
-1.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
2,730
% of total
19.4%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
2,730
19.4%
+0.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
3,468
% of total
24.7%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
3,468
24.7%
-0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,857
% of total
13.2%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
1,857
13.2%
+0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
1,247
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
1,247
8.9%
+1.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
1,081
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
1,081
7.7%
+0.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
289
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
289
2.1%
+0.7pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-86
-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-130
-1.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+95
+0.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-155
-1.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+139
+0.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-10
-0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+111
+0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+161
+1.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+116
+0.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+98
+0.7pp
Data table
Service age groups for Dulwich Hill. 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) | 669 | 4.8% | 5.0% | 755 | 5.5% | 5.9% | -86 | -0.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 920 | 6.5% | 6.8% | 1,050 | 7.7% | 7.1% | -130 | -1.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 802 | 5.7% | 5.3% | 707 | 5.2% | 4.6% | +95 | +0.5pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 992 | 7.1% | 7.8% | 1,147 | 8.4% | 8.5% | -155 | -1.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 2,730 | 19.4% | 19.3% | 2,591 | 18.9% | 20.3% | +139 | +0.5pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 3,468 | 24.7% | 24.2% | 3,478 | 25.4% | 24.8% | -10 | -0.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,857 | 13.2% | 12.7% | 1,746 | 12.7% | 12.0% | +111 | +0.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 1,247 | 8.9% | 9.1% | 1,086 | 7.9% | 8.6% | +161 | +1.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 1,081 | 7.7% | 7.9% | 965 | 7.0% | 6.6% | +116 | +0.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 289 | 2.1% | 2.0% | 191 | 1.4% | 1.7% | +98 | +0.7pp |
| Total | 14,046 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13,715 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +331 | 0.0pp |