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 Darch, accounting for 24.8% (1,822 people). This share was higher than Wanneroo (C) (21.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59), which increased by 309 people and 3.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Darch - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Darch in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Wanneroo (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Darch, with comparison markers for Wanneroo (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
392
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
392
5.3%
-2.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
827
% of total
11.3%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
827
11.3%
-1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
854
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
854
11.6%
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
805
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
805
11.0%
+2.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
723
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
723
9.8%
-2.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,822
% of total
24.8%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
1,822
24.8%
-2.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,017
% of total
13.8%
Change from 2016
+3.9pp
1,017
13.8%
+3.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
465
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
465
6.3%
+0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
409
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
409
5.6%
+2.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
51
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
51
0.7%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-189
-2.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-57
-1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+19
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+171
+2.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-126
-2.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-147
-2.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+309
+3.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+78
+0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+155
+2.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+32
+0.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for Darch. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Wanneroo (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Wanneroo (C)% | Count | % | Wanneroo (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 392 | 5.3% | 7.1% | 581 | 8.2% | 8.0% | -189 | -2.9pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 827 | 11.3% | 10.6% | 884 | 12.4% | 10.8% | -57 | -1.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 854 | 11.6% | 8.5% | 835 | 11.7% | 8.5% | +19 | -0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 805 | 11.0% | 9.0% | 634 | 8.9% | 9.6% | +171 | +2.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 723 | 9.8% | 13.9% | 849 | 11.9% | 15.7% | -126 | -2.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,822 | 24.8% | 21.7% | 1,969 | 27.6% | 22.4% | -147 | -2.8pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,017 | 13.8% | 12.5% | 708 | 9.9% | 11.2% | +309 | +3.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 465 | 6.3% | 8.5% | 387 | 5.4% | 7.4% | +78 | +0.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 409 | 5.6% | 7.0% | 254 | 3.6% | 5.4% | +155 | +2.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 51 | 0.7% | 1.3% | 19 | 0.3% | 1.0% | +32 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 7,347 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,133 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +214 | 0.0pp |