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, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in Safety Bay, accounting for 18.1% (1,387 people). This share was lower than Rockingham (C) (20.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 140 people and 1.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Safety Bay - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Safety 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 Safety Bay, with comparison markers for Rockingham (C).

Safety Bay
Rockingham (C)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

405

% of total

5.3%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

668

% of total

8.7%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

532

% of total

6.9%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

454

% of total

5.9%

Change from 2016

-1.5pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

843

% of total

11.0%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

1,387

% of total

18.1%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

1,033

% of total

13.5%

Change from 2016

-0.9pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

1,065

% of total

13.9%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

1,054

% of total

13.8%

Change from 2016

+1.5pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

219

% of total

2.9%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Data table

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

Service age groups for Safety Bay. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Rockingham (C).
Service age groups for Safety Bay. 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)4055.3%6.7%4385.9%7.5%-33-0.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)6688.7%10.4%6128.2%10.7%+56+0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)5326.9%8.6%4796.4%8.1%+53+0.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)4545.9%8.4%5537.4%9.3%-99-1.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)84311.0%13.5%80410.8%14.6%+39+0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)1,38718.1%20.1%1,35518.2%20.8%+32-0.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)1,03313.5%12.8%1,07314.4%12.1%-40-0.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)1,06513.9%9.5%1,02713.8%8.4%+38+0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)1,05413.8%8.3%91412.3%7.0%+140+1.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)2192.9%1.5%1962.6%1.4%+23+0.3pp
Total7,662100.0%100.0%7,442100.0%100.0%+2200.0pp