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 Derby-West Kimberley (S), accounting for 19.5% (1,383 people). This share was lower than Regional WA (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4), which decreased by 182 people and 1.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Derby-West Kimberley (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Derby-West Kimberley (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 Derby-West Kimberley (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
543
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
543
7.7%
-1.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
808
% of total
11.4%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
808
11.4%
-1.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
565
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
565
8.0%
+0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
729
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
729
10.3%
0.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,276
% of total
18.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,276
18.0%
+0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,383
% of total
19.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,383
19.5%
-0.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
828
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
828
11.7%
0.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
624
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
624
8.8%
+1.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
277
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
277
3.9%
+1.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
35
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
35
0.5%
0.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-182
-1.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-151
-1.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-37
+0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-69
0.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-85
+0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-138
-0.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-76
0.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+40
+1.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+73
+1.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-3
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Derby-West Kimberley (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) | 543 | 7.7% | 6.0% | 725 | 9.4% | 6.6% | -182 | -1.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 808 | 11.4% | 9.5% | 959 | 12.4% | 9.8% | -151 | -1.0pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 565 | 8.0% | 7.6% | 602 | 7.8% | 7.4% | -37 | +0.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 729 | 10.3% | 6.7% | 798 | 10.3% | 7.0% | -69 | 0.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,276 | 18.0% | 12.5% | 1,361 | 17.6% | 13.6% | -85 | +0.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,383 | 19.5% | 19.9% | 1,521 | 19.7% | 20.8% | -138 | -0.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 828 | 11.7% | 13.7% | 904 | 11.7% | 14.1% | -76 | 0.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 624 | 8.8% | 12.4% | 584 | 7.6% | 11.3% | +40 | +1.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 277 | 3.9% | 10.1% | 204 | 2.6% | 7.8% | +73 | +1.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 35 | 0.5% | 1.7% | 38 | 0.5% | 1.5% | -3 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 7,075 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,730 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -655 | 0.0pp |