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 Secret Harbour, accounting for 24.6% (3,065 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 2,352 people and 7.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Secret Harbour - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Secret Harbour in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Rockingham (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Secret Harbour, with comparison markers for Rockingham (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
810
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
810
6.5%
+0.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
1,553
% of total
12.4%
Change from 2016
+4.5pp
1,553
12.4%
+4.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
1,438
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
+5.9pp
1,438
11.5%
+5.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
1,190
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
1,190
9.5%
+2.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,316
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
1,316
10.5%
-0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
3,065
% of total
24.6%
Change from 2016
+7.2pp
3,065
24.6%
+7.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,848
% of total
14.8%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
1,848
14.8%
+0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
710
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-6.7pp
710
5.7%
-6.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
457
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-11.3pp
457
3.7%
-11.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
50
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-4.2pp
50
0.4%
-4.2pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+580
+0.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+1,230
+4.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+1,210
+5.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+886
+2.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+861
-0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+2,352
+7.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+1,263
+0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+202
-6.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-157
-11.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-140
-4.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Secret Harbour. 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) | 810 | 6.5% | 6.7% | 230 | 5.6% | 7.5% | +580 | +0.9pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 1,553 | 12.4% | 10.4% | 323 | 7.9% | 10.7% | +1,230 | +4.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 1,438 | 11.5% | 8.6% | 228 | 5.6% | 8.1% | +1,210 | +5.9pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 1,190 | 9.5% | 8.4% | 304 | 7.4% | 9.3% | +886 | +2.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,316 | 10.5% | 13.5% | 455 | 11.1% | 14.6% | +861 | -0.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 3,065 | 24.6% | 20.1% | 713 | 17.4% | 20.8% | +2,352 | +7.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,848 | 14.8% | 12.8% | 585 | 14.3% | 12.1% | +1,263 | +0.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 710 | 5.7% | 9.5% | 508 | 12.4% | 8.4% | +202 | -6.7pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 457 | 3.7% | 8.3% | 614 | 15.0% | 7.0% | -157 | -11.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 50 | 0.4% | 1.5% | 190 | 4.6% | 1.4% | -140 | -4.2pp |
| Total | 12,474 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,100 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +8,374 | 0.0pp |