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, Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) was the most common category among residents in Cookernup, accounting for 19.4% (117 people). This share was higher than Harvey (S) (13.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59), which increased by 27 people and 1.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Cookernup - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Cookernup in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Harvey (S) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cookernup, with comparison markers for Harvey (S).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
36
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
+3.4pp
36
6.0%
+3.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
52
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
52
8.6%
-3.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
55
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
55
9.1%
-1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
33
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
33
5.5%
+0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
46
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
46
7.6%
-1.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
112
% of total
18.5%
Change from 2016
-4.2pp
112
18.5%
-4.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
117
% of total
19.4%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
117
19.4%
+1.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
88
% of total
14.6%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
88
14.6%
-0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
59
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
59
9.8%
+1.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
10
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
10
1.7%
+1.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+23
+3.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-8
-3.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+4
-1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+7
+0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+2
-1.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-2
-4.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+27
+1.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+10
-0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+17
+1.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+7
+1.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Cookernup. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Harvey (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Harvey (S)% | Count | % | Harvey (S)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 36 | 6.0% | 6.0% | 13 | 2.6% | 6.8% | +23 | +3.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 52 | 8.6% | 10.1% | 60 | 12.0% | 10.9% | -8 | -3.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 55 | 9.1% | 9.2% | 51 | 10.2% | 9.2% | +4 | -1.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 33 | 5.5% | 6.5% | 26 | 5.2% | 6.8% | +7 | +0.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 46 | 7.6% | 11.3% | 44 | 8.8% | 11.8% | +2 | -1.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 112 | 18.5% | 19.7% | 114 | 22.7% | 20.6% | -2 | -4.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 117 | 19.4% | 13.2% | 90 | 17.9% | 13.6% | +27 | +1.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 88 | 14.6% | 12.2% | 78 | 15.5% | 11.3% | +10 | -0.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 59 | 9.8% | 10.2% | 42 | 8.4% | 7.8% | +17 | +1.4pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 10 | 1.7% | 1.4% | 3 | 0.6% | 1.1% | +7 | +1.1pp |
| Total | 604 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 502 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +102 | 0.0pp |