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, Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) was the most common category among residents in Dandaragan (S), accounting for 19.7% (660 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (12.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 122 people and 3.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Dandaragan (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Dandaragan (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Dandaragan (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
162
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
162
4.8%
-1.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
237
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
237
7.1%
-0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
142
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
142
4.2%
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
150
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
150
4.5%
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
359
% of total
10.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
359
10.7%
-0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
573
% of total
17.1%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
573
17.1%
-0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
481
% of total
14.3%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
481
14.3%
-1.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
660
% of total
19.7%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
660
19.7%
+2.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
530
% of total
15.8%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
530
15.8%
+3.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
61
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
61
1.8%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-26
-1.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-7
-0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
0
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-7
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-3
-0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
0
-0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-33
-1.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+91
+2.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+122
+3.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+14
+0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Dandaragan (S). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 162 | 4.8% | 6.0% | 188 | 5.9% | 6.6% | -26 | -1.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 237 | 7.1% | 9.5% | 244 | 7.6% | 9.8% | -7 | -0.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 142 | 4.2% | 7.6% | 142 | 4.4% | 7.4% | 0 | -0.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 150 | 4.5% | 6.7% | 157 | 4.9% | 7.0% | -7 | -0.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 359 | 10.7% | 12.5% | 362 | 11.3% | 13.6% | -3 | -0.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 573 | 17.1% | 19.9% | 573 | 17.8% | 20.8% | 0 | -0.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 481 | 14.3% | 13.7% | 514 | 16.0% | 14.1% | -33 | -1.7pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 660 | 19.7% | 12.4% | 569 | 17.7% | 11.3% | +91 | +2.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 530 | 15.8% | 10.1% | 408 | 12.7% | 7.8% | +122 | +3.1pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 61 | 1.8% | 1.7% | 47 | 1.5% | 1.5% | +14 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 3,355 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,213 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +142 | 0.0pp |