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, Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) was the most common category among residents in Orchard Hills, accounting for 18.3% (329 people). This share was higher than Penrith (C) (11.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 120 people and 5.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Orchard Hills - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Orchard Hills in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Penrith (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Orchard Hills, with comparison markers for Penrith (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
62
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
62
3.4%
+0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
122
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
122
6.8%
-0.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
137
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
137
7.6%
-2.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
211
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
211
11.7%
-0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
170
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
170
9.5%
-1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
257
% of total
14.3%
Change from 2016
-5.8pp
257
14.3%
-5.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
329
% of total
18.3%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
329
18.3%
+2.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
211
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
211
11.7%
+0.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
249
% of total
13.8%
Change from 2016
+3.9pp
249
13.8%
+3.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
42
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
42
2.3%
+1.3pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+5
+0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-18
-0.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-44
-2.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-15
-0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-27
-1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-120
-5.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+31
+2.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+7
+0.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+63
+3.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+23
+1.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Orchard Hills. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Penrith (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Penrith (C)% | Count | % | Penrith (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 62 | 3.4% | 7.2% | 57 | 3.0% | 7.4% | +5 | +0.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 122 | 6.8% | 9.9% | 140 | 7.5% | 9.8% | -18 | -0.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 137 | 7.6% | 7.8% | 181 | 9.6% | 7.8% | -44 | -2.0pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 211 | 11.7% | 9.3% | 226 | 12.0% | 9.9% | -15 | -0.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 170 | 9.5% | 15.2% | 197 | 10.5% | 15.4% | -27 | -1.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 257 | 14.3% | 21.0% | 377 | 20.1% | 20.5% | -120 | -5.8pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 329 | 18.3% | 11.4% | 298 | 15.9% | 12.3% | +31 | +2.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 211 | 11.7% | 9.5% | 204 | 10.9% | 9.7% | +7 | +0.8pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 249 | 13.8% | 7.5% | 186 | 9.9% | 6.0% | +63 | +3.9pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 42 | 2.3% | 1.2% | 19 | 1.0% | 1.2% | +23 | +1.3pp |
| Total | 1,798 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,877 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -79 | 0.0pp |