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 Port Hedland (T), accounting for 24.8% (3,884 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 426 people and 0.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Port Hedland (T) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Port Hedland (T) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Port Hedland (T), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
1,411
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
1,411
9.0%
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
1,846
% of total
11.8%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
1,846
11.8%
+0.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
1,120
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
1,120
7.1%
+0.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
1,165
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
1,165
7.4%
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
3,070
% of total
19.6%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
3,070
19.6%
-3.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
3,884
% of total
24.8%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
3,884
24.8%
+0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,927
% of total
12.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,927
12.3%
+0.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
967
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
967
6.2%
+1.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
260
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
260
1.7%
+0.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
31
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
31
0.2%
0.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+32
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+236
+0.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+214
+0.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+30
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-215
-3.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+426
+0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+159
+0.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+276
+1.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+29
+0.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+2
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Port Hedland (T). 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) | 1,411 | 9.0% | 6.0% | 1,379 | 9.5% | 6.6% | +32 | -0.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 1,846 | 11.8% | 9.5% | 1,610 | 11.1% | 9.8% | +236 | +0.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 1,120 | 7.1% | 7.6% | 906 | 6.3% | 7.4% | +214 | +0.8pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 1,165 | 7.4% | 6.7% | 1,135 | 7.8% | 7.0% | +30 | -0.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 3,070 | 19.6% | 12.5% | 3,285 | 22.7% | 13.6% | -215 | -3.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 3,884 | 24.8% | 19.9% | 3,458 | 23.9% | 20.8% | +426 | +0.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,927 | 12.3% | 13.7% | 1,768 | 12.2% | 14.1% | +159 | +0.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 967 | 6.2% | 12.4% | 691 | 4.8% | 11.3% | +276 | +1.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 260 | 1.7% | 10.1% | 231 | 1.6% | 7.8% | +29 | +0.1pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 31 | 0.2% | 1.7% | 29 | 0.2% | 1.5% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 15,684 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,469 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,215 | 0.0pp |