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, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in Katanning (S), accounting for 17.9% (727 people). This share was lower than Regional WA (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59), which decreased by 104 people and 2.2 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Katanning (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Katanning (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Katanning (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.

Katanning (S)
Regional WA

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

274

% of total

6.8%

Change from 2016

+0.7pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

369

% of total

9.1%

Change from 2016

-1.5pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

310

% of total

7.6%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

331

% of total

8.2%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

536

% of total

13.2%

Change from 2016

+1.2pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

727

% of total

17.9%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

515

% of total

12.7%

Change from 2016

-2.2pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

490

% of total

12.1%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

408

% of total

10.1%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

93

% of total

2.3%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Data table

Service age groups for Katanning (S). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.

Service age groups for Katanning (S). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
Service age groups for Katanning (S). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional WA%Count%Regional WA%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)2746.8%6.0%2556.1%6.6%+19+0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)3699.1%9.5%43910.6%9.8%-70-1.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)3107.6%7.6%2917.0%7.4%+19+0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)3318.2%6.7%3358.1%7.0%-4+0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)53613.2%12.5%49912.0%13.6%+37+1.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)72717.9%19.9%74618.0%20.8%-19-0.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)51512.7%13.7%61914.9%14.1%-104-2.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)49012.1%12.4%48611.7%11.3%+4+0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)40810.1%10.1%4089.8%7.8%0+0.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)932.3%1.7%932.2%1.5%0+0.1pp
Total4,057100.0%100.0%4,151100.0%100.0%-940.0pp