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, Young workforce (25 to 34) was the most common category among residents in Sydney (C), accounting for 32.2% (68,109 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (15.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24), which decreased by 10,050 people and 5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Sydney (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Sydney (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 Sydney (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
7,461
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
7,461
3.5%
+0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
6,365
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
6,365
3.0%
+0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
4,241
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
4,241
2.0%
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
24,817
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
-5.0pp
24,817
11.7%
-5.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
68,109
% of total
32.2%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
68,109
32.2%
-0.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
51,497
% of total
24.3%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
51,497
24.3%
+2.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
20,404
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
20,404
9.6%
+0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
15,064
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
15,064
7.1%
+0.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
11,628
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
11,628
5.5%
+1.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
2,037
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
2,037
1.0%
+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)
+483
+0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+1,129
+0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+315
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-10,050
-5.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-771
-0.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+6,198
+2.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+1,557
+0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+1,515
+0.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+2,598
+1.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+243
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Sydney (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) | 7,461 | 3.5% | 6.0% | 6,978 | 3.3% | 6.4% | +483 | +0.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 6,365 | 3.0% | 8.8% | 5,236 | 2.5% | 8.8% | +1,129 | +0.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 4,241 | 2.0% | 7.1% | 3,926 | 1.9% | 6.9% | +315 | +0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 24,817 | 11.7% | 8.8% | 34,867 | 16.7% | 9.6% | -10,050 | -5.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 68,109 | 32.2% | 15.5% | 68,880 | 33.1% | 16.1% | -771 | -0.9pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 51,497 | 24.3% | 21.5% | 45,299 | 21.7% | 21.1% | +6,198 | +2.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 20,404 | 9.6% | 12.0% | 18,847 | 9.0% | 12.2% | +1,557 | +0.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 15,064 | 7.1% | 9.8% | 13,549 | 6.5% | 9.5% | +1,515 | +0.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 11,628 | 5.5% | 8.7% | 9,030 | 4.3% | 7.5% | +2,598 | +1.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 2,037 | 1.0% | 2.0% | 1,794 | 0.9% | 2.0% | +243 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 211,632 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 208,374 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,258 | 0.0pp |