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.

Key insight

In 2021, Young workforce (25 to 34) was the most common category among residents in Karnup, accounting for 20% (420 people). This share was higher than Rockingham (C) (13.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which increased by 173 people and 2 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Karnup - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Karnup in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Rockingham (C) and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Karnup, with comparison markers for Rockingham (C).

Karnup
Rockingham (C)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

213

% of total

10.2%

Change from 2016

+1.6pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

243

% of total

11.6%

Change from 2016

+2.1pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

190

% of total

9.1%

Change from 2016

+2.5pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

161

% of total

7.7%

Change from 2016

-5.9pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

420

% of total

20.0%

Change from 2016

+2.0pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

388

% of total

18.5%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

195

% of total

9.3%

Change from 2016

-3.3pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

165

% of total

7.9%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

120

% of total

5.7%

Change from 2016

+1.4pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

7

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Data table

Service age groups for Karnup. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Rockingham (C).

Service age groups for Karnup. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Rockingham (C).
Service age groups for Karnup. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Rockingham (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Rockingham (C)%Count%Rockingham (C)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)21310.2%6.7%1188.6%7.5%+95+1.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)24311.6%10.4%1309.5%10.7%+113+2.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)1909.1%8.6%916.6%8.1%+99+2.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)1617.7%8.4%18613.6%9.3%-25-5.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)42020.0%13.5%24718.0%14.6%+173+2.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)38818.5%20.1%24017.5%20.8%+148+1.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)1959.3%12.8%17312.6%12.1%+22-3.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)1657.9%9.5%1057.7%8.4%+60+0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)1205.7%8.3%594.3%7.0%+61+1.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)70.3%1.5%30.2%1.4%+4+0.1pp
Total2,096100.0%100.0%1,371100.0%100.0%+7250.0pp