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, Seniors (70 to 84) was the most common category among residents in Sheffield, accounting for 19.5% (312 people). This share was higher than Kentish (M) (13.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 66 people and 3.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Sheffield - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Sheffield in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Kentish (M) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sheffield, with comparison markers for Kentish (M).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
47
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
47
2.9%
-1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
107
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
107
6.7%
-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
95
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
95
5.9%
-1.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
97
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
97
6.1%
+0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
127
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
127
7.9%
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
225
% of total
14.0%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
225
14.0%
-2.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
231
% of total
14.4%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
231
14.4%
+1.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
261
% of total
16.3%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
261
16.3%
-2.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
312
% of total
19.5%
Change from 2016
+3.6pp
312
19.5%
+3.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
71
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
71
4.4%
+0.5pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-14
-1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-3
-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-12
-1.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+9
+0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+5
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-28
-2.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+24
+1.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-32
-2.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+66
+3.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+10
+0.5pp
Data table
Service age groups for Sheffield. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Kentish (M).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Kentish (M)% | Count | % | Kentish (M)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 47 | 2.9% | 4.2% | 61 | 3.9% | 4.4% | -14 | -1.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 107 | 6.7% | 7.2% | 110 | 7.1% | 8.7% | -3 | -0.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 95 | 5.9% | 7.3% | 107 | 6.9% | 7.3% | -12 | -1.0pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 97 | 6.1% | 6.2% | 88 | 5.7% | 6.4% | +9 | +0.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 127 | 7.9% | 9.6% | 122 | 7.9% | 8.9% | +5 | 0.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 225 | 14.0% | 16.8% | 253 | 16.3% | 18.4% | -28 | -2.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 231 | 14.4% | 17.4% | 207 | 13.3% | 17.9% | +24 | +1.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 261 | 16.3% | 16.7% | 293 | 18.9% | 15.7% | -32 | -2.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 312 | 19.5% | 13.1% | 246 | 15.9% | 10.3% | +66 | +3.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 71 | 4.4% | 1.7% | 61 | 3.9% | 1.7% | +10 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 1,602 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,552 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +50 | 0.0pp |