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 West Busselton, accounting for 17.6% (1,562 people). This share was lower than Busselton (C) (19.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 271 people and 2.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
West Busselton - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for West 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 West Busselton, with comparison markers for Busselton (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
399
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
399
4.5%
-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
688
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
688
7.8%
-1.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
771
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
771
8.7%
0.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
532
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
532
6.0%
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
846
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
846
9.5%
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,562
% of total
17.6%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
1,562
17.6%
-1.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,217
% of total
13.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,217
13.7%
+0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
1,256
% of total
14.2%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,256
14.2%
+0.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
1,343
% of total
15.1%
Change from 2016
+2.5pp
1,343
15.1%
+2.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
279
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
279
3.1%
+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)
-46
-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-100
-1.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+32
0.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-16
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+41
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-34
-1.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+82
+0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+72
+0.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+271
+2.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+55
+0.5pp
Data table
Service age groups for West 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) | 399 | 4.5% | 5.0% | 445 | 5.2% | 6.1% | -46 | -0.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 688 | 7.8% | 9.4% | 788 | 9.3% | 10.1% | -100 | -1.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 771 | 8.7% | 8.1% | 739 | 8.7% | 8.1% | +32 | 0.0pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 532 | 6.0% | 5.2% | 548 | 6.4% | 5.8% | -16 | -0.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 846 | 9.5% | 9.4% | 805 | 9.5% | 10.3% | +41 | 0.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,562 | 17.6% | 19.6% | 1,596 | 18.7% | 20.5% | -34 | -1.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,217 | 13.7% | 13.0% | 1,135 | 13.3% | 12.9% | +82 | +0.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 1,256 | 14.2% | 13.6% | 1,184 | 13.9% | 13.2% | +72 | +0.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 1,343 | 15.1% | 14.0% | 1,072 | 12.6% | 10.7% | +271 | +2.5pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 279 | 3.1% | 2.6% | 224 | 2.6% | 2.3% | +55 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 8,869 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,517 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +352 | 0.0pp |