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, Seniors (70 to 84) was the most common category among residents in Busselton, accounting for 23.3% (428 people). This share was higher than Busselton (C) (14%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 2,932 people and 10.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Busselton - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Busselton in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Busselton (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Busselton, with comparison markers for Busselton (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
54
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-6.5pp
54
2.9%
-6.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
75
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-8.6pp
75
4.1%
-8.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
94
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
-5.2pp
94
5.1%
-5.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
104
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-4.6pp
104
5.7%
-4.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
169
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
-7.8pp
169
9.2%
-7.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
247
% of total
13.4%
Change from 2016
-10.5pp
247
13.4%
-10.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
267
% of total
14.5%
Change from 2016
+6.2pp
267
14.5%
+6.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
302
% of total
16.4%
Change from 2016
+11.6pp
302
16.4%
+11.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
428
% of total
23.3%
Change from 2016
+20.2pp
428
23.3%
+20.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
86
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
+4.4pp
86
4.7%
+4.4pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-1,198
-6.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-1,613
-8.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-1,269
-5.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-1,261
-4.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-2,086
-7.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-2,932
-10.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-830
+6.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-337
+11.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+16
+20.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+48
+4.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for Busselton. 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) | 54 | 2.9% | 5.0% | 1,252 | 9.4% | 6.1% | -1,198 | -6.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 75 | 4.1% | 9.4% | 1,688 | 12.7% | 10.1% | -1,613 | -8.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 94 | 5.1% | 8.1% | 1,363 | 10.3% | 8.1% | -1,269 | -5.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 104 | 5.7% | 5.2% | 1,365 | 10.3% | 5.8% | -1,261 | -4.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 169 | 9.2% | 9.4% | 2,255 | 17.0% | 10.3% | -2,086 | -7.8pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 247 | 13.4% | 19.6% | 3,179 | 23.9% | 20.5% | -2,932 | -10.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 267 | 14.5% | 13.0% | 1,097 | 8.3% | 12.9% | -830 | +6.2pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 302 | 16.4% | 13.6% | 639 | 4.8% | 13.2% | -337 | +11.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 428 | 23.3% | 14.0% | 412 | 3.1% | 10.7% | +16 | +20.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 86 | 4.7% | 2.6% | 38 | 0.3% | 2.3% | +48 | +4.4pp |
| Total | 1,838 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 13,278 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -11,440 | 0.0pp |