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 Rockingham (C), accounting for 20.1% (27,295 people). This share was lower than Greater Perth (21%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 2,503 people and 1.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Rockingham (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Rockingham (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 Rockingham (C), with comparison markers for Greater Perth.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
9,154
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
9,154
6.7%
-0.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
14,081
% of total
10.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
14,081
10.4%
-0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
11,681
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
11,681
8.6%
+0.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
11,410
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
11,410
8.4%
-0.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
18,332
% of total
13.5%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
18,332
13.5%
-1.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
27,295
% of total
20.1%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
27,295
20.1%
-0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
17,410
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
17,410
12.8%
+0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
12,947
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
12,947
9.5%
+1.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
11,282
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
11,282
8.3%
+1.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
2,083
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
2,083
1.5%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-257
-0.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+674
-0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+1,561
+0.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-285
-0.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+109
-1.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+1,237
-0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+2,232
+0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+2,420
+1.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+2,503
+1.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+375
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Rockingham (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) | 9,154 | 6.7% | 6.1% | 9,411 | 7.5% | 6.5% | -257 | -0.8pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 14,081 | 10.4% | 9.0% | 13,407 | 10.7% | 9.0% | +674 | -0.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 11,681 | 8.6% | 7.4% | 10,120 | 8.1% | 7.2% | +1,561 | +0.5pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 11,410 | 8.4% | 8.6% | 11,695 | 9.3% | 9.4% | -285 | -0.9pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 18,332 | 13.5% | 14.4% | 18,223 | 14.6% | 15.8% | +109 | -1.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 27,295 | 20.1% | 21.0% | 26,058 | 20.8% | 20.9% | +1,237 | -0.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 17,410 | 12.8% | 12.4% | 15,178 | 12.1% | 12.2% | +2,232 | +0.7pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 12,947 | 9.5% | 10.2% | 10,527 | 8.4% | 9.7% | +2,420 | +1.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 11,282 | 8.3% | 9.1% | 8,779 | 7.0% | 7.5% | +2,503 | +1.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 2,083 | 1.5% | 1.9% | 1,708 | 1.4% | 1.8% | +375 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 135,678 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 125,114 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +10,564 | 0.0pp |