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.

Key insight

In 2021, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in Telopea, accounting for 23.2% (1,243 people). This share was lower than Parramatta (C) (23.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which decreased by 167 people and 3.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Telopea - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Telopea in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Parramatta (C) and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Telopea, with comparison markers for Parramatta (C).

Telopea
Parramatta (C)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

303

% of total

5.7%

Change from 2016

-1.4pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

478

% of total

8.9%

Change from 2016

+0.8pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

328

% of total

6.1%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

361

% of total

6.7%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

675

% of total

12.6%

Change from 2016

-3.5pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

1,243

% of total

23.2%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

746

% of total

13.9%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

635

% of total

11.9%

Change from 2016

+2.1pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

457

% of total

8.5%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

134

% of total

2.5%

Change from 2016

+0.9pp

Data table

Service age groups for Telopea. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Parramatta (C).

Service age groups for Telopea. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Parramatta (C).
Service age groups for Telopea. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Parramatta (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Parramatta (C)%Count%Parramatta (C)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)3035.7%6.2%3717.1%7.3%-68-1.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)4788.9%8.8%4258.1%8.2%+53+0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)3286.1%5.8%2925.6%5.9%+36+0.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)3616.7%8.4%3817.3%8.7%-20-0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)67512.6%19.4%84216.1%20.2%-167-3.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)1,24323.2%23.8%1,16022.2%21.9%+83+1.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)74613.9%10.3%71613.7%11.1%+30+0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)63511.9%8.6%5109.8%8.4%+125+2.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)4578.5%7.0%4558.7%6.7%+2-0.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)1342.5%1.6%831.6%1.7%+51+0.9pp
Total5,356100.0%100.0%5,214100.0%100.0%+1420.0pp