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 Wanneroo, accounting for 19.1% (2,312 people). This share was lower than Wanneroo (C) (21.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 2,278 people, while its share fell by 11.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Wanneroo - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Wanneroo in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Wanneroo (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Wanneroo, with comparison markers for Wanneroo (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
697
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
+5.8pp
697
5.8%
+5.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
1,056
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,056
8.7%
-0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
831
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+6.9pp
831
6.9%
+6.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
908
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
+7.5pp
908
7.5%
+7.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,488
% of total
12.3%
Change from 2016
+9.6pp
1,488
12.3%
+9.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
2,312
% of total
19.1%
Change from 2016
-11.5pp
2,312
19.1%
-11.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,477
% of total
12.2%
Change from 2016
-7.6pp
1,477
12.2%
-7.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
1,450
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
+3.9pp
1,450
12.0%
+3.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
1,513
% of total
12.5%
Change from 2016
+9.8pp
1,513
12.5%
+9.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
365
% of total
3.0%
Change from 2016
+3.0pp
365
3.0%
+3.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+697
+5.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+1,046
-0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+831
+6.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+908
+7.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+1,485
+9.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+2,278
-11.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+1,455
-7.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+1,441
+3.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+1,510
+9.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+365
+3.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Wanneroo. 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) | 697 | 5.8% | 7.1% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.0% | +697 | +5.8pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 1,056 | 8.7% | 10.6% | 10 | 9.0% | 10.8% | +1,046 | -0.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 831 | 6.9% | 8.5% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.5% | +831 | +6.9pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 908 | 7.5% | 9.0% | 0 | 0.0% | 9.6% | +908 | +7.5pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,488 | 12.3% | 13.9% | 3 | 2.7% | 15.7% | +1,485 | +9.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 2,312 | 19.1% | 21.7% | 34 | 30.6% | 22.4% | +2,278 | -11.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,477 | 12.2% | 12.5% | 22 | 19.8% | 11.2% | +1,455 | -7.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 1,450 | 12.0% | 8.5% | 9 | 8.1% | 7.4% | +1,441 | +3.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 1,513 | 12.5% | 7.0% | 3 | 2.7% | 5.4% | +1,510 | +9.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 365 | 3.0% | 1.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.0% | +365 | +3.0pp |
| Total | 12,113 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 111 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +12,002 | 0.0pp |