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, Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) was the most common category among residents in Wandering (S), accounting for 22.1% (118 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (13.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59), which increased by 42 people and 5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Wandering (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Wandering (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 Wandering (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
27
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
27
5.0%
+0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
38
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
38
7.1%
-1.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
31
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
31
5.8%
+1.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
35
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
+3.8pp
35
6.5%
+3.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
48
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
48
9.0%
+1.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
102
% of total
19.1%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
102
19.1%
-3.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
118
% of total
22.1%
Change from 2016
+5.0pp
118
22.1%
+5.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
66
% of total
12.3%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
66
12.3%
-0.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
89
% of total
16.6%
Change from 2016
+6.0pp
89
16.6%
+6.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
8
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
8
1.5%
+1.5pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+7
+0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-2
-1.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+13
+1.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+23
+3.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+15
+1.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+4
-3.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+42
+5.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+9
-0.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+42
+6.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+8
+1.5pp
Data table
Service age groups for Wandering (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) | 27 | 5.0% | 6.0% | 20 | 4.5% | 6.6% | +7 | +0.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 38 | 7.1% | 9.5% | 40 | 9.0% | 9.8% | -2 | -1.9pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 31 | 5.8% | 7.6% | 18 | 4.1% | 7.4% | +13 | +1.7pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 35 | 6.5% | 6.7% | 12 | 2.7% | 7.0% | +23 | +3.8pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 48 | 9.0% | 12.5% | 33 | 7.4% | 13.6% | +15 | +1.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 102 | 19.1% | 19.9% | 98 | 22.1% | 20.8% | +4 | -3.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 118 | 22.1% | 13.7% | 76 | 17.1% | 14.1% | +42 | +5.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 66 | 12.3% | 12.4% | 57 | 12.8% | 11.3% | +9 | -0.5pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 89 | 16.6% | 10.1% | 47 | 10.6% | 7.8% | +42 | +6.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 8 | 1.5% | 1.7% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.5% | +8 | +1.5pp |
| Total | 535 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 444 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +91 | 0.0pp |