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.

Key insight

In 2021, Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) was the most common category among residents in Geographe, accounting for 17.1% (619 people). This share was higher than Busselton (C) (13.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 203 people and 5 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Geographe - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Geographe in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Busselton (C) and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Geographe, with comparison markers for Busselton (C).

Geographe
Busselton (C)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

127

% of total

3.5%

Change from 2016

-1.6pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

279

% of total

7.7%

Change from 2016

-2.2pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

273

% of total

7.5%

Change from 2016

-0.7pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

196

% of total

5.4%

Change from 2016

-1.0pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

319

% of total

8.8%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

598

% of total

16.5%

Change from 2016

-2.0pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

539

% of total

14.9%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

619

% of total

17.1%

Change from 2016

+2.3pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

596

% of total

16.5%

Change from 2016

+5.0pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

69

% of total

1.9%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Data table

Service age groups for Geographe. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Busselton (C).

Service age groups for Geographe. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Busselton (C).
Service age groups for Geographe. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Busselton (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Busselton (C)%Count%Busselton (C)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)1273.5%5.0%1735.1%6.1%-46-1.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)2797.7%9.4%3389.9%10.1%-59-2.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)2737.5%8.1%2808.2%8.1%-7-0.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)1965.4%5.2%2186.4%5.8%-22-1.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)3198.8%9.4%2858.3%10.3%+34+0.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)59816.5%19.6%63318.5%20.5%-35-2.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)53914.9%13.0%49314.4%12.9%+46+0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)61917.1%13.6%50514.8%13.2%+114+2.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)59616.5%14.0%39311.5%10.7%+203+5.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)691.9%2.6%581.7%2.3%+11+0.2pp
Total3,622100.0%100.0%3,415100.0%100.0%+2070.0pp