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 Waverley (NSW), accounting for 23.5% (991 people). This share was lower than Waverley (A) (23.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Elderly aged (85 and over), which decreased by 146 people and 3.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Waverley (NSW) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Waverley (NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Waverley (A) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Waverley (NSW), with comparison markers for Waverley (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
248
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
248
5.9%
+0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
339
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
339
8.0%
+0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
291
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
291
6.9%
+0.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
200
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
200
4.7%
-1.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
736
% of total
17.5%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
736
17.5%
+0.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
991
% of total
23.5%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
991
23.5%
+0.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
485
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
485
11.5%
+1.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
315
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
315
7.5%
+0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
403
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
403
9.6%
-0.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
208
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
208
4.9%
-3.2pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+8
+0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+12
+0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+31
+0.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-54
-1.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+16
+0.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+5
+0.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+27
+1.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-8
+0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-38
-0.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-146
-3.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Waverley (NSW). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Waverley (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Waverley (A)% | Count | % | Waverley (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 248 | 5.9% | 5.5% | 240 | 5.5% | 6.2% | +8 | +0.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 339 | 8.0% | 7.1% | 327 | 7.5% | 7.3% | +12 | +0.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 291 | 6.9% | 5.8% | 260 | 6.0% | 4.8% | +31 | +0.9pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 200 | 4.7% | 6.4% | 254 | 5.8% | 6.9% | -54 | -1.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 736 | 17.5% | 23.5% | 720 | 16.6% | 23.6% | +16 | +0.9pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 991 | 23.5% | 23.9% | 986 | 22.7% | 24.6% | +5 | +0.8pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 485 | 11.5% | 10.8% | 458 | 10.5% | 10.1% | +27 | +1.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 315 | 7.5% | 7.5% | 323 | 7.4% | 7.6% | -8 | +0.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 403 | 9.6% | 7.6% | 441 | 10.1% | 6.6% | -38 | -0.5pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 208 | 4.9% | 2.0% | 354 | 8.1% | 2.3% | -146 | -3.2pp |
| Total | 4,216 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,346 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -130 | 0.0pp |