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 Ashburton (S), accounting for 27.4% (2,028 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 2,294 people and 5.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Ashburton (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Ashburton (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ashburton (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
653
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
+3.4pp
653
8.8%
+3.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
880
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
+5.6pp
880
11.9%
+5.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
357
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
357
4.8%
+2.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
487
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
487
6.6%
+1.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,511
% of total
20.4%
Change from 2016
-6.2pp
1,511
20.4%
-6.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
2,028
% of total
27.4%
Change from 2016
-5.8pp
2,028
27.4%
-5.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
912
% of total
12.3%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
912
12.3%
-3.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
466
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
466
6.3%
+1.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
114
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
114
1.5%
+0.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
0
0.0%
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)
-44
+3.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+57
+5.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-6
+2.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-167
+1.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-1,948
-6.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-2,294
-5.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-1,099
-3.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-175
+1.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+38
+0.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-5
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Ashburton (S). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 653 | 8.8% | 6.0% | 697 | 5.4% | 6.6% | -44 | +3.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 880 | 11.9% | 9.5% | 823 | 6.3% | 9.8% | +57 | +5.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 357 | 4.8% | 7.6% | 363 | 2.8% | 7.4% | -6 | +2.0pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 487 | 6.6% | 6.7% | 654 | 5.0% | 7.0% | -167 | +1.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,511 | 20.4% | 12.5% | 3,459 | 26.6% | 13.6% | -1,948 | -6.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 2,028 | 27.4% | 19.9% | 4,322 | 33.2% | 20.8% | -2,294 | -5.8pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 912 | 12.3% | 13.7% | 2,011 | 15.4% | 14.1% | -1,099 | -3.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 466 | 6.3% | 12.4% | 641 | 4.9% | 11.3% | -175 | +1.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 114 | 1.5% | 10.1% | 76 | 0.6% | 7.8% | +38 | +0.9pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 0 | 0.0% | 1.7% | 5 | 0.0% | 1.5% | -5 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 7,391 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13,026 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -5,635 | 0.0pp |