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 Perth (C), accounting for 30% (8,530 people). This share was higher than Greater Perth (14.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 2,008 people and 2.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Perth (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Perth (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 Perth (C), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
935
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
935
3.3%
+0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
802
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
802
2.8%
+1.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
505
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
505
1.8%
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
4,635
% of total
16.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
4,635
16.3%
0.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
8,530
% of total
30.0%
Change from 2016
-5.6pp
8,530
30.0%
-5.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
6,130
% of total
21.5%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
6,130
21.5%
+2.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
2,661
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
2,661
9.3%
+0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
2,196
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
2,196
7.7%
-0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
1,769
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
1,769
6.2%
+1.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
270
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
270
0.9%
+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)
+254
+0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+484
+1.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+177
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+1,090
0.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+770
-5.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+2,008
+2.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+669
+0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+428
-0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+628
+1.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+107
+0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Perth (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) | 935 | 3.3% | 6.1% | 681 | 3.1% | 6.5% | +254 | +0.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 802 | 2.8% | 9.0% | 318 | 1.5% | 9.0% | +484 | +1.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 505 | 1.8% | 7.4% | 328 | 1.5% | 7.2% | +177 | +0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 4,635 | 16.3% | 8.6% | 3,545 | 16.3% | 9.4% | +1,090 | 0.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 8,530 | 30.0% | 14.4% | 7,760 | 35.6% | 15.8% | +770 | -5.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 6,130 | 21.5% | 21.0% | 4,122 | 18.9% | 20.9% | +2,008 | +2.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 2,661 | 9.3% | 12.4% | 1,992 | 9.1% | 12.2% | +669 | +0.2pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 2,196 | 7.7% | 10.2% | 1,768 | 8.1% | 9.7% | +428 | -0.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 1,769 | 6.2% | 9.1% | 1,141 | 5.2% | 7.5% | +628 | +1.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 270 | 0.9% | 1.9% | 163 | 0.7% | 1.8% | +107 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 28,463 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 21,797 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,666 | 0.0pp |