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 Shark Bay (S), accounting for 18.4% (190 people). This share was lower than Regional WA (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 42 people and 3.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Shark Bay (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Shark Bay (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Shark Bay (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
62
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
62
6.0%
-1.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
78
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
78
7.6%
+0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
34
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
34
3.3%
+0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
64
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
64
6.2%
+1.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
147
% of total
14.3%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
147
14.3%
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
190
% of total
18.4%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
190
18.4%
-0.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
150
% of total
14.5%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
150
14.5%
-0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
155
% of total
15.0%
Change from 2016
-3.3pp
155
15.0%
-3.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
143
% of total
13.9%
Change from 2016
+3.2pp
143
13.9%
+3.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
5
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
5
0.5%
-0.8pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-6
-1.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+7
+0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+8
+0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+19
+1.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+12
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+8
-0.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+6
-0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-18
-3.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+42
+3.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-7
-0.8pp
Data table
Service age groups for Shark Bay (S). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 62 | 6.0% | 6.0% | 68 | 7.2% | 6.6% | -6 | -1.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 78 | 7.6% | 9.5% | 71 | 7.5% | 9.8% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 34 | 3.3% | 7.6% | 26 | 2.7% | 7.4% | +8 | +0.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 64 | 6.2% | 6.7% | 45 | 4.8% | 7.0% | +19 | +1.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 147 | 14.3% | 12.5% | 135 | 14.3% | 13.6% | +12 | 0.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 190 | 18.4% | 19.9% | 182 | 19.2% | 20.8% | +8 | -0.8pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 150 | 14.5% | 13.7% | 144 | 15.2% | 14.1% | +6 | -0.7pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 155 | 15.0% | 12.4% | 173 | 18.3% | 11.3% | -18 | -3.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 143 | 13.9% | 10.1% | 101 | 10.7% | 7.8% | +42 | +3.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 5 | 0.5% | 1.7% | 12 | 1.3% | 1.5% | -7 | -0.8pp |
| Total | 1,031 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 946 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +85 | 0.0pp |