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 Cooloongup, accounting for 16.7% (1,115 people). This share was lower than Rockingham (C) (20.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24), which decreased by 156 people and 2.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Cooloongup - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Cooloongup in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Rockingham (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cooloongup, with comparison markers for Rockingham (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
363
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
363
5.4%
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
539
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
539
8.0%
-0.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
495
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
495
7.4%
+0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
504
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
504
7.5%
-2.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
854
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
854
12.8%
+0.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,115
% of total
16.7%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
1,115
16.7%
-0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
972
% of total
14.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
972
14.5%
+0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
893
% of total
13.3%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
893
13.3%
+1.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
775
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
775
11.6%
+2.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
163
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
163
2.4%
-0.4pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-36
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-61
-0.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+40
+0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-156
-2.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-5
+0.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-55
-0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+19
+0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+100
+1.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+142
+2.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-29
-0.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for Cooloongup. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Rockingham (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Rockingham (C)% | Count | % | Rockingham (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 363 | 5.4% | 6.7% | 399 | 5.9% | 7.5% | -36 | -0.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 539 | 8.0% | 10.4% | 600 | 8.9% | 10.7% | -61 | -0.9pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 495 | 7.4% | 8.6% | 455 | 6.8% | 8.1% | +40 | +0.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 504 | 7.5% | 8.4% | 660 | 9.8% | 9.3% | -156 | -2.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 854 | 12.8% | 13.5% | 859 | 12.7% | 14.6% | -5 | +0.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,115 | 16.7% | 20.1% | 1,170 | 17.4% | 20.8% | -55 | -0.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 972 | 14.5% | 12.8% | 953 | 14.1% | 12.1% | +19 | +0.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 893 | 13.3% | 9.5% | 793 | 11.8% | 8.4% | +100 | +1.5pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 775 | 11.6% | 8.3% | 633 | 9.4% | 7.0% | +142 | +2.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 163 | 2.4% | 1.5% | 192 | 2.8% | 1.4% | -29 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 6,696 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,739 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -43 | 0.0pp |