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 West Beach (WA), accounting for 17% (252 people). This share was lower than Esperance (S) (18.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 56 people and 4 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
West Beach (WA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for West Beach (WA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Esperance (S) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for West Beach (WA), with comparison markers for Esperance (S).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
73
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
73
4.9%
+0.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
124
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
124
8.4%
-0.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
137
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
137
9.2%
-2.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
74
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
74
5.0%
-1.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
173
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
173
11.7%
+2.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
252
% of total
17.0%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
252
17.0%
-2.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
215
% of total
14.5%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
215
14.5%
-3.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
197
% of total
13.3%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
197
13.3%
+0.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
196
% of total
13.2%
Change from 2016
+4.0pp
196
13.2%
+4.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
24
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
24
1.6%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+11
+0.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-14
-0.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-32
-2.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-21
-1.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+36
+2.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-38
-2.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-50
-3.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+4
+0.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+56
+4.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+6
+0.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for West Beach (WA). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Esperance (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Esperance (S)% | Count | % | Esperance (S)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 73 | 4.9% | 5.9% | 62 | 4.1% | 6.4% | +11 | +0.8pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 124 | 8.4% | 9.4% | 138 | 9.1% | 9.8% | -14 | -0.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 137 | 9.2% | 8.3% | 169 | 11.2% | 9.1% | -32 | -2.0pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 74 | 5.0% | 6.7% | 95 | 6.3% | 7.3% | -21 | -1.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 173 | 11.7% | 11.2% | 137 | 9.0% | 11.4% | +36 | +2.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 252 | 17.0% | 18.4% | 290 | 19.2% | 19.3% | -38 | -2.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 215 | 14.5% | 14.1% | 265 | 17.5% | 14.5% | -50 | -3.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 197 | 13.3% | 12.1% | 193 | 12.8% | 11.1% | +4 | +0.5pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 196 | 13.2% | 11.9% | 140 | 9.2% | 9.2% | +56 | +4.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 24 | 1.6% | 2.1% | 18 | 1.2% | 1.9% | +6 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 1,483 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,514 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -31 | 0.0pp |