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 Sutherland Shire (A), accounting for 20.4% (47,068 people). This share was lower than Greater Sydney (21.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 4,822 people and 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Sutherland Shire (A) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Sutherland Shire (A) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sutherland Shire (A), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
13,316
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
13,316
5.8%
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
20,210
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
20,210
8.8%
-0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
17,613
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
17,613
7.7%
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
18,374
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
18,374
8.0%
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
26,434
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
26,434
11.5%
-0.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
47,068
% of total
20.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
47,068
20.4%
-0.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
30,028
% of total
13.0%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
30,028
13.0%
-0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
26,071
% of total
11.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
26,071
11.3%
+0.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
24,682
% of total
10.7%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
24,682
10.7%
+1.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
6,433
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
6,433
2.8%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-298
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+312
-0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+1,492
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+521
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+181
-0.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+1,500
-0.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+591
-0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+2,146
+0.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+4,822
+1.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+476
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Sutherland Shire (A). 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) | 13,316 | 5.8% | 6.0% | 13,614 | 6.2% | 6.4% | -298 | -0.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 20,210 | 8.8% | 8.8% | 19,898 | 9.1% | 8.8% | +312 | -0.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 17,613 | 7.7% | 7.1% | 16,121 | 7.4% | 6.9% | +1,492 | +0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 18,374 | 8.0% | 8.8% | 17,853 | 8.2% | 9.6% | +521 | -0.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 26,434 | 11.5% | 15.5% | 26,253 | 12.0% | 16.1% | +181 | -0.5pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 47,068 | 20.4% | 21.5% | 45,568 | 20.9% | 21.1% | +1,500 | -0.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 30,028 | 13.0% | 12.0% | 29,437 | 13.5% | 12.2% | +591 | -0.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 26,071 | 11.3% | 9.8% | 23,925 | 11.0% | 9.5% | +2,146 | +0.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 24,682 | 10.7% | 8.7% | 19,860 | 9.1% | 7.5% | +4,822 | +1.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 6,433 | 2.8% | 2.0% | 5,957 | 2.7% | 2.0% | +476 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 230,211 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 218,464 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +11,747 | 0.0pp |