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 Golden Bay, accounting for 22.1% (1,255 people). This share was higher than Rockingham (C) (20.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 378 people, while its share fell by 1.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Golden Bay - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Golden Bay in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Rockingham (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Golden Bay, with comparison markers for Rockingham (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
478
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
478
8.4%
+0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
689
% of total
12.1%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
689
12.1%
-0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
566
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
566
10.0%
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
600
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
600
10.6%
+0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
896
% of total
15.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
896
15.8%
-0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,255
% of total
22.1%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
1,255
22.1%
-1.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
623
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
623
11.0%
+1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
351
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
351
6.2%
+0.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
233
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
233
4.1%
0.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
19
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
19
0.3%
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)
+170
+0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+201
-0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+183
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+223
+0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+272
-0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+378
-1.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+254
+1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+139
+0.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+77
0.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+6
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Golden Bay. 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) | 478 | 8.4% | 6.7% | 308 | 8.1% | 7.5% | +170 | +0.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 689 | 12.1% | 10.4% | 488 | 12.9% | 10.7% | +201 | -0.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 566 | 10.0% | 8.6% | 383 | 10.1% | 8.1% | +183 | -0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 600 | 10.6% | 8.4% | 377 | 10.0% | 9.3% | +223 | +0.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 896 | 15.8% | 13.5% | 624 | 16.5% | 14.6% | +272 | -0.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,255 | 22.1% | 20.1% | 877 | 23.2% | 20.8% | +378 | -1.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 623 | 11.0% | 12.8% | 369 | 9.7% | 12.1% | +254 | +1.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 351 | 6.2% | 9.5% | 212 | 5.6% | 8.4% | +139 | +0.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 233 | 4.1% | 8.3% | 156 | 4.1% | 7.0% | +77 | 0.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 19 | 0.3% | 1.5% | 13 | 0.3% | 1.4% | +6 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 5,681 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,785 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,896 | 0.0pp |