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 Oswald, accounting for 17% (15 people). This share was lower than Maitland (C) (19.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which decreased by 588 people and 15.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Oswald - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Oswald in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Maitland (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Oswald, with comparison markers for Maitland (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-8.3pp
0
0.0%
-8.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
4
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-6.0pp
4
4.5%
-6.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
6
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
6
6.8%
-1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
7
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
7
8.0%
-1.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-15.7pp
0
0.0%
-15.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
15
% of total
17.0%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
15
17.0%
+1.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
4
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-6.3pp
4
4.5%
-6.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
3
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-6.4pp
3
3.4%
-6.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
5
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
5
5.7%
-3.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
3
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
3
3.4%
+1.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-310
-8.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-388
-6.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-291
-1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-340
-1.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-588
-15.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-580
+1.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-401
-6.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-364
-6.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-319
-3.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-84
+1.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Oswald. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Maitland (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Maitland (C)% | Count | % | Maitland (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 0 | 0.0% | 6.9% | 310 | 8.3% | 7.5% | -310 | -8.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 4 | 4.5% | 10.2% | 392 | 10.5% | 10.4% | -388 | -6.0pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 6 | 6.8% | 8.1% | 297 | 7.9% | 8.0% | -291 | -1.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 7 | 8.0% | 8.4% | 347 | 9.3% | 8.6% | -340 | -1.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 0 | 0.0% | 14.3% | 588 | 15.7% | 13.7% | -588 | -15.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 15 | 17.0% | 19.5% | 595 | 15.9% | 19.8% | -580 | +1.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 4 | 4.5% | 11.6% | 405 | 10.8% | 12.3% | -401 | -6.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 3 | 3.4% | 10.2% | 367 | 9.8% | 10.3% | -364 | -6.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 5 | 5.7% | 9.1% | 324 | 8.7% | 7.8% | -319 | -3.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 3 | 3.4% | 1.7% | 87 | 2.3% | 1.7% | -84 | +1.1pp |
| Total | 88 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,742 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -3,654 | 0.0pp |