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 Metricup, accounting for 21.3% (56 people). This share was higher than Busselton (C) (19.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which decreased by 486 people and 12.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Metricup - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Metricup in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Busselton (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Metricup, with comparison markers for Busselton (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
11
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-7.1pp
11
4.2%
-7.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
41
% of total
15.6%
Change from 2016
+3.8pp
41
15.6%
+3.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
30
% of total
11.4%
Change from 2016
+2.5pp
30
11.4%
+2.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
12
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
12
4.6%
-3.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
24
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-12.2pp
24
9.1%
-12.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
56
% of total
21.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
56
21.3%
-0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
40
% of total
15.2%
Change from 2016
+5.8pp
40
15.2%
+5.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
41
% of total
15.6%
Change from 2016
+9.6pp
41
15.6%
+9.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
19
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
+4.7pp
19
7.2%
+4.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
0
0.0%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-261
-7.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-242
+3.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-183
+2.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-169
-3.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-486
-12.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-465
-0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-186
+5.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-104
+9.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-41
+4.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-5
-0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Metricup. 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) | 11 | 4.2% | 5.0% | 272 | 11.3% | 6.1% | -261 | -7.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 41 | 15.6% | 9.4% | 283 | 11.8% | 10.1% | -242 | +3.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 30 | 11.4% | 8.1% | 213 | 8.9% | 8.1% | -183 | +2.5pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 12 | 4.6% | 5.2% | 181 | 7.6% | 5.8% | -169 | -3.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 24 | 9.1% | 9.4% | 510 | 21.3% | 10.3% | -486 | -12.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 56 | 21.3% | 19.6% | 521 | 21.7% | 20.5% | -465 | -0.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 40 | 15.2% | 13.0% | 226 | 9.4% | 12.9% | -186 | +5.8pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 41 | 15.6% | 13.6% | 145 | 6.0% | 13.2% | -104 | +9.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 19 | 7.2% | 14.0% | 60 | 2.5% | 10.7% | -41 | +4.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 0 | 0.0% | 2.6% | 5 | 0.2% | 2.3% | -5 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 263 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,397 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -2,134 | 0.0pp |