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 Penrith (C), accounting for 21% (45,752 people). This share was lower than Greater Sydney (21.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 5,656 people and 0.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Penrith (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Penrith (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Penrith (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
15,637
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
15,637
7.2%
-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
21,626
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
21,626
9.9%
+0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
16,985
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
16,985
7.8%
0.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
20,187
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
20,187
9.3%
-0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
32,981
% of total
15.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
32,981
15.2%
-0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
45,752
% of total
21.0%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
45,752
21.0%
+0.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
24,795
% of total
11.4%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
24,795
11.4%
-0.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
20,763
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
20,763
9.5%
-0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
16,226
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
16,226
7.5%
+1.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
2,715
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
2,715
1.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+1,155
-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+2,330
+0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+1,785
0.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+734
-0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+2,691
-0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+5,656
+0.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+717
-0.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+1,699
-0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+4,465
+1.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+396
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Penrith (C). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 15,637 | 7.2% | 6.0% | 14,482 | 7.4% | 6.4% | +1,155 | -0.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 21,626 | 9.9% | 8.8% | 19,296 | 9.8% | 8.8% | +2,330 | +0.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 16,985 | 7.8% | 7.1% | 15,200 | 7.8% | 6.9% | +1,785 | 0.0pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 20,187 | 9.3% | 8.8% | 19,453 | 9.9% | 9.6% | +734 | -0.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 32,981 | 15.2% | 15.5% | 30,290 | 15.4% | 16.1% | +2,691 | -0.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 45,752 | 21.0% | 21.5% | 40,096 | 20.5% | 21.1% | +5,656 | +0.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 24,795 | 11.4% | 12.0% | 24,078 | 12.3% | 12.2% | +717 | -0.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 20,763 | 9.5% | 9.8% | 19,064 | 9.7% | 9.5% | +1,699 | -0.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 16,226 | 7.5% | 8.7% | 11,761 | 6.0% | 7.5% | +4,465 | +1.5pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 2,715 | 1.2% | 2.0% | 2,319 | 1.2% | 2.0% | +396 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 217,664 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 196,066 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +21,598 | 0.0pp |