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, Young workforce (25 to 34) was the most common category among residents in Meekatharra (S), accounting for 22.7% (272 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (12.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which increased by 53 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Meekatharra (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Meekatharra (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Meekatharra (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
69
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
69
5.8%
-1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
75
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
75
6.3%
-1.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
64
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
64
5.3%
-0.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
123
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
+3.6pp
123
10.3%
+3.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
272
% of total
22.7%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
272
22.7%
+2.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
241
% of total
20.1%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
241
20.1%
-0.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
150
% of total
12.5%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
150
12.5%
-3.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
129
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
129
10.8%
+1.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
53
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
53
4.4%
+0.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
0
0.0%
-0.3pp
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-4
-1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-8
-1.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
0
-0.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+51
+3.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+53
+2.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+18
-0.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-22
-3.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+33
+1.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+16
+0.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-3
-0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Meekatharra (S). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 69 | 5.8% | 6.0% | 73 | 6.8% | 6.6% | -4 | -1.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 75 | 6.3% | 9.5% | 83 | 7.8% | 9.8% | -8 | -1.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 64 | 5.3% | 7.6% | 64 | 6.0% | 7.4% | 0 | -0.7pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 123 | 10.3% | 6.7% | 72 | 6.7% | 7.0% | +51 | +3.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 272 | 22.7% | 12.5% | 219 | 20.5% | 13.6% | +53 | +2.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 241 | 20.1% | 19.9% | 223 | 20.9% | 20.8% | +18 | -0.8pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 150 | 12.5% | 13.7% | 172 | 16.1% | 14.1% | -22 | -3.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 129 | 10.8% | 12.4% | 96 | 9.0% | 11.3% | +33 | +1.8pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 53 | 4.4% | 10.1% | 37 | 3.5% | 7.8% | +16 | +0.9pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 0 | 0.0% | 1.7% | 3 | 0.3% | 1.5% | -3 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 1,200 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,067 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +133 | 0.0pp |