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 Shelley (WA), accounting for 20.6% (986 people). This share was lower than Canning (C) (21.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 133 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Shelley (WA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Shelley (WA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Canning (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Shelley (WA), with comparison markers for Canning (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
203
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
203
4.2%
0.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
454
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
454
9.5%
+0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
439
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
439
9.2%
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
449
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
449
9.4%
-0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
405
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
405
8.4%
-1.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
986
% of total
20.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
986
20.6%
+0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
674
% of total
14.1%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
674
14.1%
-0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
576
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
576
12.0%
+0.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
556
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
556
11.6%
+2.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
70
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
70
1.5%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+12
0.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+49
+0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+17
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-4
-0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-40
-1.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+67
+0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+3
-0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+45
+0.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+133
+2.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-3
-0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Shelley (WA). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Canning (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Canning (C)% | Count | % | Canning (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 203 | 4.2% | 5.5% | 191 | 4.2% | 5.6% | +12 | 0.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 454 | 9.5% | 8.8% | 405 | 9.0% | 8.5% | +49 | +0.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 439 | 9.2% | 7.6% | 422 | 9.3% | 7.3% | +17 | -0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 449 | 9.4% | 10.6% | 453 | 10.0% | 12.2% | -4 | -0.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 405 | 8.4% | 15.5% | 445 | 9.8% | 16.5% | -40 | -1.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 986 | 20.6% | 21.1% | 919 | 20.3% | 20.0% | +67 | +0.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 674 | 14.1% | 11.3% | 671 | 14.8% | 11.6% | +3 | -0.7pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 576 | 12.0% | 9.6% | 531 | 11.7% | 9.6% | +45 | +0.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 556 | 11.6% | 8.4% | 423 | 9.4% | 6.9% | +133 | +2.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 70 | 1.5% | 1.7% | 73 | 1.6% | 1.7% | -3 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 4,795 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,523 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +272 | 0.0pp |