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 Joondalup (C), accounting for 20.3% (32,560 people). This share was lower than Greater Perth (21%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 5,409 people and 3.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Joondalup (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Joondalup (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Perth and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Joondalup (C), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
8,537
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
8,537
5.3%
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
14,538
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
14,538
9.1%
-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
13,163
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
13,163
8.2%
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
12,913
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
12,913
8.1%
-1.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
16,280
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
16,280
10.2%
-1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
32,560
% of total
20.3%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
32,560
20.3%
-0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
22,636
% of total
14.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
22,636
14.1%
-0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
20,295
% of total
12.7%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
20,295
12.7%
+0.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
16,295
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
+3.2pp
16,295
10.2%
+3.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
2,782
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
2,782
1.7%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-220
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-119
-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+641
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-1,264
-1.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-991
-1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-157
-0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-15
-0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+1,909
+0.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+5,409
+3.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+373
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Joondalup (C). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Perth.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Perth% | Count | % | Greater Perth% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 8,537 | 5.3% | 6.1% | 8,757 | 5.7% | 6.5% | -220 | -0.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 14,538 | 9.1% | 9.0% | 14,657 | 9.5% | 9.0% | -119 | -0.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 13,163 | 8.2% | 7.4% | 12,522 | 8.1% | 7.2% | +641 | +0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 12,913 | 8.1% | 8.6% | 14,177 | 9.2% | 9.4% | -1,264 | -1.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 16,280 | 10.2% | 14.4% | 17,271 | 11.2% | 15.8% | -991 | -1.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 32,560 | 20.3% | 21.0% | 32,717 | 21.2% | 20.9% | -157 | -0.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 22,636 | 14.1% | 12.4% | 22,651 | 14.7% | 12.2% | -15 | -0.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 20,295 | 12.7% | 10.2% | 18,386 | 11.9% | 9.7% | +1,909 | +0.8pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 16,295 | 10.2% | 9.1% | 10,886 | 7.0% | 7.5% | +5,409 | +3.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 2,782 | 1.7% | 1.9% | 2,409 | 1.6% | 1.8% | +373 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 160,003 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 154,445 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,558 | 0.0pp |