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 Inner West (A), accounting for 24.2% (44,255 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (21.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 2,558 people and 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Inner West (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Inner West (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Inner West (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
9,147
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
9,147
5.0%
-0.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
12,458
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
12,458
6.8%
-0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
9,617
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
9,617
5.3%
+0.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
14,189
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
14,189
7.8%
-0.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
35,236
% of total
19.3%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
35,236
19.3%
-1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
44,255
% of total
24.2%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
44,255
24.2%
-0.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
23,226
% of total
12.7%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
23,226
12.7%
+0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
16,625
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
16,625
9.1%
+0.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
14,494
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
14,494
7.9%
+1.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
3,574
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
3,574
2.0%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-1,596
-0.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-416
-0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+1,328
+0.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-1,328
-0.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-1,663
-1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-939
-0.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+1,465
+0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+986
+0.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+2,558
+1.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+408
+0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Inner West (A). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 9,147 | 5.0% | 6.0% | 10,743 | 5.9% | 6.4% | -1,596 | -0.9pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 12,458 | 6.8% | 8.8% | 12,874 | 7.1% | 8.8% | -416 | -0.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 9,617 | 5.3% | 7.1% | 8,289 | 4.6% | 6.9% | +1,328 | +0.7pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 14,189 | 7.8% | 8.8% | 15,517 | 8.5% | 9.6% | -1,328 | -0.7pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 35,236 | 19.3% | 15.5% | 36,899 | 20.3% | 16.1% | -1,663 | -1.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 44,255 | 24.2% | 21.5% | 45,194 | 24.8% | 21.1% | -939 | -0.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 23,226 | 12.7% | 12.0% | 21,761 | 12.0% | 12.2% | +1,465 | +0.7pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 16,625 | 9.1% | 9.8% | 15,639 | 8.6% | 9.5% | +986 | +0.5pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 14,494 | 7.9% | 8.7% | 11,936 | 6.6% | 7.5% | +2,558 | +1.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 3,574 | 2.0% | 2.0% | 3,166 | 1.7% | 2.0% | +408 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 182,818 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 182,043 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +775 | 0.0pp |