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 Dunsborough, accounting for 24% (1,538 people). This share was higher than Busselton (C) (19.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 355 people and 4.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Dunsborough - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Dunsborough in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Busselton (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Dunsborough, with comparison markers for Busselton (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
395
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
395
6.2%
-2.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
738
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
738
11.5%
-0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
499
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
499
7.8%
+1.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
260
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
260
4.1%
+0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
655
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
-4.0pp
655
10.2%
-4.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,538
% of total
24.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,538
24.0%
-0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
730
% of total
11.4%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
730
11.4%
+1.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
724
% of total
11.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
724
11.3%
+0.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
794
% of total
12.4%
Change from 2016
+4.1pp
794
12.4%
+4.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
103
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
103
1.6%
+0.5pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-59
-2.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+117
-0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+147
+1.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+50
+0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-98
-4.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+239
-0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+217
+1.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+137
+0.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+355
+4.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+45
+0.5pp
Data table
Service age groups for Dunsborough. 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) | 395 | 6.2% | 5.0% | 454 | 8.5% | 6.1% | -59 | -2.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 738 | 11.5% | 9.4% | 621 | 11.7% | 10.1% | +117 | -0.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 499 | 7.8% | 8.1% | 352 | 6.6% | 8.1% | +147 | +1.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 260 | 4.1% | 5.2% | 210 | 3.9% | 5.8% | +50 | +0.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 655 | 10.2% | 9.4% | 753 | 14.2% | 10.3% | -98 | -4.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,538 | 24.0% | 19.6% | 1,299 | 24.4% | 20.5% | +239 | -0.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 730 | 11.4% | 13.0% | 513 | 9.6% | 12.9% | +217 | +1.8pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 724 | 11.3% | 13.6% | 587 | 11.0% | 13.2% | +137 | +0.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 794 | 12.4% | 14.0% | 439 | 8.3% | 10.7% | +355 | +4.1pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 103 | 1.6% | 2.6% | 58 | 1.1% | 2.3% | +45 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 6,413 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,320 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,093 | 0.0pp |