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 Merriwa (WA), accounting for 17.9% (998 people). This share was lower than Wanneroo (C) (21.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which decreased by 109 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Merriwa (WA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Merriwa (WA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Wanneroo (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Merriwa (WA), with comparison markers for Wanneroo (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
319
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
319
5.7%
-1.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
546
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
546
9.8%
-0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
424
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
424
7.6%
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
472
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
472
8.4%
-0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
665
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
665
11.9%
-2.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
998
% of total
17.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
998
17.9%
+0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
570
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
570
10.2%
+1.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
439
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
439
7.9%
+1.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
760
% of total
13.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
760
13.6%
+0.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
407
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
407
7.3%
+1.6pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-91
-1.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+5
-0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+2
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+7
-0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-109
-2.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+34
+0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+75
+1.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+70
+1.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+26
+0.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+93
+1.6pp
Data table
Service age groups for Merriwa (WA). 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) | 319 | 5.7% | 7.1% | 410 | 7.5% | 8.0% | -91 | -1.8pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 546 | 9.8% | 10.6% | 541 | 9.9% | 10.8% | +5 | -0.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 424 | 7.6% | 8.5% | 422 | 7.7% | 8.5% | +2 | -0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 472 | 8.4% | 9.0% | 465 | 8.5% | 9.6% | +7 | -0.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 665 | 11.9% | 13.9% | 774 | 14.1% | 15.7% | -109 | -2.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 998 | 17.9% | 21.7% | 964 | 17.6% | 22.4% | +34 | +0.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 570 | 10.2% | 12.5% | 495 | 9.0% | 11.2% | +75 | +1.2pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 439 | 7.9% | 8.5% | 369 | 6.7% | 7.4% | +70 | +1.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 760 | 13.6% | 7.0% | 734 | 13.4% | 5.4% | +26 | +0.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 407 | 7.3% | 1.3% | 314 | 5.7% | 1.0% | +93 | +1.6pp |
| Total | 5,587 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,489 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +98 | 0.0pp |