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 Shoalwater (WA), accounting for 17.3% (755 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 114 people and 1.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Shoalwater (WA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Shoalwater (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 Shoalwater (WA), with comparison markers for Rockingham (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
180
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
180
4.1%
-1.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
330
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
330
7.6%
-0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
238
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
238
5.4%
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
303
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
303
6.9%
-0.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
417
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
417
9.5%
-1.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
755
% of total
17.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
755
17.3%
-0.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
604
% of total
13.8%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
604
13.8%
-0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
618
% of total
14.1%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
618
14.1%
+1.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
695
% of total
15.9%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
695
15.9%
+0.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
223
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
223
5.1%
+0.5pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-48
-1.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+10
-0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+12
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+2
-0.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-34
-1.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+48
-0.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+24
-0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+114
+1.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+86
+0.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+35
+0.5pp
Data table
Service age groups for Shoalwater (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) | 180 | 4.1% | 6.7% | 228 | 5.6% | 7.5% | -48 | -1.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 330 | 7.6% | 10.4% | 320 | 7.9% | 10.7% | +10 | -0.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 238 | 5.4% | 8.6% | 226 | 5.6% | 8.1% | +12 | -0.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 303 | 6.9% | 8.4% | 301 | 7.4% | 9.3% | +2 | -0.5pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 417 | 9.5% | 13.5% | 451 | 11.1% | 14.6% | -34 | -1.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 755 | 17.3% | 20.1% | 707 | 17.4% | 20.8% | +48 | -0.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 604 | 13.8% | 12.8% | 580 | 14.3% | 12.1% | +24 | -0.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 618 | 14.1% | 9.5% | 504 | 12.4% | 8.4% | +114 | +1.7pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 695 | 15.9% | 8.3% | 609 | 15.0% | 7.0% | +86 | +0.9pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 223 | 5.1% | 1.5% | 188 | 4.6% | 1.4% | +35 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 4,368 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,065 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +303 | 0.0pp |