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 Ridgewood (WA), accounting for 19.8% (915 people). This share was lower than Wanneroo (C) (21.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59), which increased by 162 people and 3.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Ridgewood (WA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Ridgewood (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 Ridgewood (WA), with comparison markers for Wanneroo (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
272
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
272
5.9%
-2.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
458
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
458
9.9%
-1.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
433
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
433
9.4%
+0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
431
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
431
9.3%
-0.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
634
% of total
13.7%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
634
13.7%
-1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
915
% of total
19.8%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
915
19.8%
-1.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
563
% of total
12.2%
Change from 2016
+3.6pp
563
12.2%
+3.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
323
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
323
7.0%
-0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
504
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
504
10.9%
+2.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
64
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
64
1.4%
+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)
-132
-2.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-70
-1.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+20
+0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-44
-0.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-52
-1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-72
-1.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+162
+3.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-9
-0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+106
+2.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+19
+0.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for Ridgewood (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) | 272 | 5.9% | 7.1% | 404 | 8.6% | 8.0% | -132 | -2.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 458 | 9.9% | 10.6% | 528 | 11.3% | 10.8% | -70 | -1.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 433 | 9.4% | 8.5% | 413 | 8.8% | 8.5% | +20 | +0.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 431 | 9.3% | 9.0% | 475 | 10.2% | 9.6% | -44 | -0.9pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 634 | 13.7% | 13.9% | 686 | 14.7% | 15.7% | -52 | -1.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 915 | 19.8% | 21.7% | 987 | 21.1% | 22.4% | -72 | -1.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 563 | 12.2% | 12.5% | 401 | 8.6% | 11.2% | +162 | +3.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 323 | 7.0% | 8.5% | 332 | 7.1% | 7.4% | -9 | -0.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 504 | 10.9% | 7.0% | 398 | 8.5% | 5.4% | +106 | +2.4pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 64 | 1.4% | 1.3% | 45 | 1.0% | 1.0% | +19 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 4,623 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,674 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -51 | 0.0pp |