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 Abbey, accounting for 20.1% (265 people). This share was higher than Busselton (C) (19.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 38 people and 2.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Abbey - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Abbey in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Busselton (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Abbey, with comparison markers for Busselton (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
80
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
80
6.1%
-1.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
164
% of total
12.4%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
164
12.4%
-0.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
107
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
107
8.1%
-1.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
69
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
69
5.2%
-0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
104
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
104
7.9%
-2.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
265
% of total
20.1%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
265
20.1%
-2.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
173
% of total
13.1%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
173
13.1%
+1.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
183
% of total
13.9%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
183
13.9%
+0.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
157
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
157
11.9%
+2.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
24
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
24
1.8%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-16
-1.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-2
-0.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-9
-1.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+2
-0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-25
-2.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-17
-2.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+19
+1.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+14
+0.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+38
+2.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+5
+0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Abbey. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Busselton (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Busselton (C)% | Count | % | Busselton (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 80 | 6.1% | 5.0% | 96 | 7.5% | 6.1% | -16 | -1.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 164 | 12.4% | 9.4% | 166 | 13.0% | 10.1% | -2 | -0.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 107 | 8.1% | 8.1% | 116 | 9.1% | 8.1% | -9 | -1.0pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 69 | 5.2% | 5.2% | 67 | 5.3% | 5.8% | +2 | -0.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 104 | 7.9% | 9.4% | 129 | 10.1% | 10.3% | -25 | -2.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 265 | 20.1% | 19.6% | 282 | 22.1% | 20.5% | -17 | -2.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 173 | 13.1% | 13.0% | 154 | 12.1% | 12.9% | +19 | +1.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 183 | 13.9% | 13.6% | 169 | 13.3% | 13.2% | +14 | +0.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 157 | 11.9% | 14.0% | 119 | 9.3% | 10.7% | +38 | +2.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 24 | 1.8% | 2.6% | 19 | 1.5% | 2.3% | +5 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 1,321 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,275 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +46 | 0.0pp |