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, Seniors (70 to 84) was the most common category among residents in Preston Beach, accounting for 30.2% (81 people). This share was higher than Waroona (S) (14.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 53 people and 17.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Preston Beach - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Preston Beach in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Waroona (S) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Preston Beach, with comparison markers for Waroona (S).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
0
0.0%
-1.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
4
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
4
1.5%
-1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
10
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
10
3.7%
+1.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
6
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
6
2.2%
+2.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
10
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
10
3.7%
+2.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
33
% of total
12.3%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
33
12.3%
-0.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
30
% of total
11.2%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
30
11.2%
-3.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
78
% of total
29.1%
Change from 2016
-9.7pp
78
29.1%
-9.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
81
% of total
30.2%
Change from 2016
+17.9pp
81
30.2%
+17.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
11
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
11
4.1%
+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)
-3
-1.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-2
-1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+6
+1.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+6
+2.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+7
+2.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+4
-0.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-4
-3.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-10
-9.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+53
+17.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+5
+1.5pp
Data table
Service age groups for Preston Beach. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Waroona (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Waroona (S)% | Count | % | Waroona (S)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 0 | 0.0% | 4.6% | 3 | 1.3% | 5.3% | -3 | -1.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 4 | 1.5% | 7.9% | 6 | 2.6% | 9.2% | -2 | -1.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 10 | 3.7% | 7.4% | 4 | 1.8% | 7.9% | +6 | +1.9pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 6 | 2.2% | 6.1% | 0 | 0.0% | 6.4% | +6 | +2.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 10 | 3.7% | 8.6% | 3 | 1.3% | 9.6% | +7 | +2.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 33 | 12.3% | 17.5% | 29 | 12.8% | 17.8% | +4 | -0.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 30 | 11.2% | 15.5% | 34 | 15.0% | 15.1% | -4 | -3.8pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 78 | 29.1% | 14.9% | 88 | 38.8% | 14.5% | -10 | -9.7pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 81 | 30.2% | 14.4% | 28 | 12.3% | 11.3% | +53 | +17.9pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 11 | 4.1% | 2.5% | 6 | 2.6% | 2.3% | +5 | +1.5pp |
| Total | 268 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 227 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +41 | 0.0pp |