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 Petersham, accounting for 24% (1,967 people). This share was similar to Inner West (A) (24.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 1,899 people and 2.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Petersham - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Petersham 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 Petersham, with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
339
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
339
4.1%
-3.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
473
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
473
5.8%
-3.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
461
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-4.6pp
461
5.6%
-4.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
736
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
736
9.0%
+1.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,805
% of total
22.0%
Change from 2016
+12.7pp
1,805
22.0%
+12.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,967
% of total
24.0%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
1,967
24.0%
+2.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,072
% of total
13.1%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
1,072
13.1%
-2.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
693
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-4.2pp
693
8.5%
-4.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
527
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-5.1pp
527
6.4%
-5.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
109
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
109
1.3%
+1.3pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+316
-3.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+442
-3.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+428
-4.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+713
+1.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+1,775
+12.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+1,899
+2.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+1,021
-2.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+652
-4.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+490
-5.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+109
+1.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Petersham. 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) | 339 | 4.1% | 5.0% | 23 | 7.1% | 5.9% | +316 | -3.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 473 | 5.8% | 6.8% | 31 | 9.6% | 7.1% | +442 | -3.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 461 | 5.6% | 5.3% | 33 | 10.2% | 4.6% | +428 | -4.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 736 | 9.0% | 7.8% | 23 | 7.1% | 8.5% | +713 | +1.9pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,805 | 22.0% | 19.3% | 30 | 9.3% | 20.3% | +1,775 | +12.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,967 | 24.0% | 24.2% | 68 | 21.1% | 24.8% | +1,899 | +2.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,072 | 13.1% | 12.7% | 51 | 15.8% | 12.0% | +1,021 | -2.7pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 693 | 8.5% | 9.1% | 41 | 12.7% | 8.6% | +652 | -4.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 527 | 6.4% | 7.9% | 37 | 11.5% | 6.6% | +490 | -5.1pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 109 | 1.3% | 2.0% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.7% | +109 | +1.3pp |
| Total | 8,200 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 322 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +7,878 | 0.0pp |