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, Young workforce (25 to 34) was the most common category among residents in St James (WA) (part), accounting for 24.5% (1,200 people). This share was higher than Canning (C) (15.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24), which decreased by 96 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
St James (WA) (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for St James (WA) (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Canning (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for St James (WA) (part), with comparison markers for Canning (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
290
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
290
5.9%
-0.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
311
% of total
6.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
311
6.4%
-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
260
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
260
5.3%
+0.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
623
% of total
12.7%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
623
12.7%
-2.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,200
% of total
24.5%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
1,200
24.5%
+0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,042
% of total
21.3%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
1,042
21.3%
+1.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
489
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
489
10.0%
-0.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
372
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
372
7.6%
+0.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
229
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
229
4.7%
0.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
58
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
58
1.2%
-1.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-24
-0.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-19
-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+48
+0.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-96
-2.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+53
+0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+64
+1.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-7
-0.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+41
+0.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+1
0.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-47
-1.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for St James (WA) (part). 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) | 290 | 5.9% | 5.5% | 314 | 6.5% | 5.6% | -24 | -0.6pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 311 | 6.4% | 8.8% | 330 | 6.8% | 8.5% | -19 | -0.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 260 | 5.3% | 7.6% | 212 | 4.4% | 7.3% | +48 | +0.9pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 623 | 12.7% | 10.6% | 719 | 14.9% | 12.2% | -96 | -2.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,200 | 24.5% | 15.5% | 1,147 | 23.7% | 16.5% | +53 | +0.8pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,042 | 21.3% | 21.1% | 978 | 20.2% | 20.0% | +64 | +1.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 489 | 10.0% | 11.3% | 496 | 10.3% | 11.6% | -7 | -0.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 372 | 7.6% | 9.6% | 331 | 6.9% | 9.6% | +41 | +0.7pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 229 | 4.7% | 8.4% | 228 | 4.7% | 6.9% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 58 | 1.2% | 1.7% | 105 | 2.2% | 1.7% | -47 | -1.0pp |
| Total | 4,894 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,839 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +55 | 0.0pp |