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.

Key insight

In 2021, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in Lilyfield, accounting for 25.5% (1,952 people). This share was higher than Inner West (A) (24.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 1,942 people and 9.9 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Lilyfield - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Lilyfield 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 Lilyfield, with comparison markers for Inner West (A).

Lilyfield
Inner West (A)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

500

% of total

6.5%

Change from 2016

+6.5pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

707

% of total

9.3%

Change from 2016

-6.3pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

557

% of total

7.3%

Change from 2016

+7.3pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

468

% of total

6.1%

Change from 2016

+6.1pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

801

% of total

10.5%

Change from 2016

+1.1pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

1,952

% of total

25.5%

Change from 2016

+9.9pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

1,165

% of total

15.2%

Change from 2016

+15.2pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

754

% of total

9.9%

Change from 2016

+5.2pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

590

% of total

7.7%

Change from 2016

+3.0pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

162

% of total

2.1%

Change from 2016

-2.6pp

Data table

Service age groups for Lilyfield. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Inner West (A).

Service age groups for Lilyfield. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Inner West (A).
Service age groups for Lilyfield. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Inner West (A).
Category20212016Change
Count%Inner West (A)%Count%Inner West (A)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)5006.5%5.0%00.0%5.9%+500+6.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)7079.3%6.8%1015.6%7.1%+697-6.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)5577.3%5.3%00.0%4.6%+557+7.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)4686.1%7.8%00.0%8.5%+468+6.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)80110.5%19.3%69.4%20.3%+795+1.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)1,95225.5%24.2%1015.6%24.8%+1,942+9.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)1,16515.2%12.7%00.0%12.0%+1,165+15.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)7549.9%9.1%34.7%8.6%+751+5.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)5907.7%7.9%34.7%6.6%+587+3.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)1622.1%2.0%34.7%1.7%+159-2.6pp
Total7,641100.0%100.0%64100.0%100.0%+7,5770.0pp