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 Dowerin (S), accounting for 19.7% (141 people). This share was similar to Regional WA (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 39 people and 5.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Dowerin (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Dowerin (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 Dowerin (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
47
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
47
6.6%
-3.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
79
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
79
11.0%
+0.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
48
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
+3.8pp
48
6.7%
+3.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
42
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
42
5.9%
+0.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
59
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
59
8.3%
-2.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
141
% of total
19.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
141
19.7%
-0.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
85
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
85
11.9%
+1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
111
% of total
15.5%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
111
15.5%
-2.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
103
% of total
14.4%
Change from 2016
+5.1pp
103
14.4%
+5.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
12
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
12
1.7%
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)
-25
-3.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+9
+0.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+28
+3.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+6
+0.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-16
-2.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+1
-0.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+12
+1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-14
-2.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+39
+5.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
0
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Dowerin (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) | 47 | 6.6% | 6.0% | 72 | 10.4% | 6.6% | -25 | -3.8pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 79 | 11.0% | 9.5% | 70 | 10.1% | 9.8% | +9 | +0.9pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 48 | 6.7% | 7.6% | 20 | 2.9% | 7.4% | +28 | +3.8pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 42 | 5.9% | 6.7% | 36 | 5.2% | 7.0% | +6 | +0.7pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 59 | 8.3% | 12.5% | 75 | 10.9% | 13.6% | -16 | -2.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 141 | 19.7% | 19.9% | 140 | 20.3% | 20.8% | +1 | -0.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 85 | 11.9% | 13.7% | 73 | 10.6% | 14.1% | +12 | +1.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 111 | 15.5% | 12.4% | 125 | 18.1% | 11.3% | -14 | -2.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 103 | 14.4% | 10.1% | 64 | 9.3% | 7.8% | +39 | +5.1pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 12 | 1.7% | 1.7% | 12 | 1.7% | 1.5% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 715 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 690 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +25 | 0.0pp |