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 Merredin, accounting for 17.3% (450 people). This share was lower than Merredin (S) (17.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24), which decreased by 158 people and 4.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Merredin - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Merredin in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Merredin (S) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Merredin, with comparison markers for Merredin (S).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
149
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
149
5.7%
-0.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
239
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
239
9.2%
+0.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
204
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
204
7.8%
-0.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
205
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-4.8pp
205
7.9%
-4.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
331
% of total
12.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
331
12.7%
-0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
450
% of total
17.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
450
17.3%
+0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
347
% of total
13.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
347
13.3%
+0.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
339
% of total
13.0%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
339
13.0%
+2.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
274
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
274
10.5%
+2.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
56
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
56
2.2%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-40
-0.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-7
+0.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-33
-0.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-158
-4.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-37
-0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-34
+0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-24
+0.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+32
+2.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+40
+2.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-2
+0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Merredin. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Merredin (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Merredin (S)% | Count | % | Merredin (S)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 149 | 5.7% | 5.9% | 189 | 6.6% | 6.1% | -40 | -0.9pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 239 | 9.2% | 8.5% | 246 | 8.6% | 9.3% | -7 | +0.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 204 | 7.8% | 7.8% | 237 | 8.3% | 7.6% | -33 | -0.5pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 205 | 7.9% | 7.5% | 363 | 12.7% | 11.2% | -158 | -4.8pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 331 | 12.7% | 12.0% | 368 | 12.9% | 12.0% | -37 | -0.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 450 | 17.3% | 17.8% | 484 | 17.0% | 17.6% | -34 | +0.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 347 | 13.3% | 13.7% | 371 | 13.0% | 13.9% | -24 | +0.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 339 | 13.0% | 13.3% | 307 | 10.8% | 11.0% | +32 | +2.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 274 | 10.5% | 10.8% | 234 | 8.2% | 8.1% | +40 | +2.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 56 | 2.2% | 2.1% | 58 | 2.0% | 2.1% | -2 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 2,604 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,850 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -246 | 0.0pp |