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 Sydenham (NSW), accounting for 25.5% (281 people). This share was higher than Inner West (A) (24.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24), which decreased by 48 people and 3.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Sydenham (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Sydenham (NSW) 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 Sydenham (NSW), with comparison markers for Inner West (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
41
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
41
3.7%
-2.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
60
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
60
5.5%
+2.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
28
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
28
2.5%
-1.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
98
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
98
8.9%
-3.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
269
% of total
24.5%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
269
24.5%
+2.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
281
% of total
25.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
281
25.5%
+0.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
111
% of total
10.1%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
111
10.1%
-0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
84
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
84
7.6%
-1.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
73
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
73
6.6%
+0.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
20
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
20
1.8%
+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)
-32
-2.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+24
+2.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-18
-1.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-48
-3.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+21
+2.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-9
+0.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-13
-0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-14
-1.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+2
+0.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+4
+0.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for Sydenham (NSW). 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) | 41 | 3.7% | 5.0% | 73 | 6.4% | 5.9% | -32 | -2.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 60 | 5.5% | 6.8% | 36 | 3.1% | 7.1% | +24 | +2.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 28 | 2.5% | 5.3% | 46 | 4.0% | 4.6% | -18 | -1.5pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 98 | 8.9% | 7.8% | 146 | 12.8% | 8.5% | -48 | -3.9pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 269 | 24.5% | 19.3% | 248 | 21.7% | 20.3% | +21 | +2.8pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 281 | 25.5% | 24.2% | 290 | 25.3% | 24.8% | -9 | +0.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 111 | 10.1% | 12.7% | 124 | 10.8% | 12.0% | -13 | -0.7pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 84 | 7.6% | 9.1% | 98 | 8.6% | 8.6% | -14 | -1.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 73 | 6.6% | 7.9% | 71 | 6.2% | 6.6% | +2 | +0.4pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 20 | 1.8% | 2.0% | 16 | 1.4% | 1.7% | +4 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 1,100 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,145 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -45 | 0.0pp |