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.

Key insight

In 2021, Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) was the most common category among residents in Wirrimah, accounting for 11.3% (7 people). This share was higher than Hilltops (A) (5.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which decreased by 4,000 people and 21.7 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Wirrimah - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Wirrimah in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Hilltops (A) and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups change

Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.

2016
2021

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

-632

+7.8pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

-745

+2.4pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

-630

-3.4pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

-3,376

-18.3pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

-4,000

-21.7pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

-2,807

-10.4pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

-1,903

-5.5pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

-1,851

+1.2pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

-1,996

-6.0pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

-504

+2.1pp

Data table

Service age groups for Wirrimah. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Hilltops (A).

Service age groups for Wirrimah. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Hilltops (A).
Service age groups for Wirrimah. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Hilltops (A).
Category20212016Change
Count%Hilltops (A)%Count%Hilltops (A)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)711.3%5.9%6393.5%6.0%-632+7.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)46.5%9.2%7494.1%9.8%-745+2.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)00.0%7.5%6303.4%7.8%-630-3.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)00.0%6.7%3,37618.3%7.1%-3,376-18.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)00.0%10.2%4,00021.7%9.0%-4,000-21.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)34.8%15.8%2,81015.2%17.0%-2,807-10.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)34.8%13.4%1,90610.3%13.8%-1,903-5.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)711.3%13.7%1,85810.1%14.2%-1,851+1.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)34.8%14.7%1,99910.8%12.3%-1,996-6.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)34.8%2.8%5072.7%2.8%-504+2.1pp
Total62100.0%100.0%18,442100.0%100.0%-18,3800.0pp