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 Dampier, accounting for 27.1% (347 people). This share was lower than Karratha (C) (27.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59), which increased by 43 people and 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Dampier - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Dampier in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Karratha (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Dampier, with comparison markers for Karratha (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
100
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
100
7.8%
+0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
178
% of total
13.9%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
178
13.9%
-1.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
119
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
119
9.3%
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
52
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
52
4.1%
-0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
158
% of total
12.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
158
12.3%
+0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
347
% of total
27.1%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
347
27.1%
-3.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
204
% of total
15.9%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
204
15.9%
+1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
70
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
70
5.5%
+2.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
23
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
23
1.8%
+0.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
0
0.0%
-0.5pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+18
+0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+9
-1.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+15
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
0
-0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+27
+0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+14
-3.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+43
+1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+39
+2.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+7
+0.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-5
-0.5pp
Data table
Service age groups for Dampier. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Karratha (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Karratha (C)% | Count | % | Karratha (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 100 | 7.8% | 8.5% | 82 | 7.4% | 9.5% | +18 | +0.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 178 | 13.9% | 12.5% | 169 | 15.3% | 11.8% | +9 | -1.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 119 | 9.3% | 8.1% | 104 | 9.4% | 6.9% | +15 | -0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 52 | 4.1% | 7.0% | 52 | 4.7% | 7.8% | 0 | -0.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 158 | 12.3% | 18.5% | 131 | 11.9% | 21.3% | +27 | +0.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 347 | 27.1% | 27.4% | 333 | 30.2% | 26.3% | +14 | -3.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 204 | 15.9% | 11.1% | 161 | 14.6% | 11.0% | +43 | +1.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 70 | 5.5% | 5.3% | 31 | 2.8% | 4.3% | +39 | +2.7pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 23 | 1.8% | 1.5% | 16 | 1.4% | 1.0% | +7 | +0.4pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 5 | 0.5% | 0.1% | -5 | -0.5pp |
| Total | 1,282 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,104 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +178 | 0.0pp |