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 (WA), accounting for 16.5% (2,534 people). This share was lower than Rockingham (C) (20.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69), which increased by 362 people and 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Rockingham (WA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Rockingham (WA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Rockingham (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Rockingham (WA), with comparison markers for Rockingham (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
629
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
629
4.1%
-0.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
902
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
902
5.9%
-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
816
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
816
5.3%
-0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
1,190
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,190
7.8%
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,699
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
1,699
11.1%
-0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
2,534
% of total
16.5%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
2,534
16.5%
-1.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
2,226
% of total
14.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
2,226
14.5%
-0.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
2,264
% of total
14.8%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
2,264
14.8%
+1.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
2,414
% of total
15.8%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
2,414
15.8%
+1.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
618
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
618
4.0%
+0.6pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-54
-0.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-13
-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-13
-0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+30
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+66
-0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-29
-1.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+92
-0.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+362
+1.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+274
+1.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+129
+0.6pp
Data table
Service age groups for Rockingham (WA). 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) | 629 | 4.1% | 6.7% | 683 | 4.7% | 7.5% | -54 | -0.6pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 902 | 5.9% | 10.4% | 915 | 6.3% | 10.7% | -13 | -0.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 816 | 5.3% | 8.6% | 829 | 5.7% | 8.1% | -13 | -0.4pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 1,190 | 7.8% | 8.4% | 1,160 | 8.0% | 9.3% | +30 | -0.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,699 | 11.1% | 13.5% | 1,633 | 11.3% | 14.6% | +66 | -0.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 2,534 | 16.5% | 20.1% | 2,563 | 17.8% | 20.8% | -29 | -1.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 2,226 | 14.5% | 12.8% | 2,134 | 14.8% | 12.1% | +92 | -0.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 2,264 | 14.8% | 9.5% | 1,902 | 13.2% | 8.4% | +362 | +1.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 2,414 | 15.8% | 8.3% | 2,140 | 14.8% | 7.0% | +274 | +1.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 618 | 4.0% | 1.5% | 489 | 3.4% | 1.4% | +129 | +0.6pp |
| Total | 15,312 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 14,428 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +884 | 0.0pp |