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, Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) was the most common category among residents in West Arthur (S), accounting for 19.8% (153 people). This share was higher than Regional WA (13.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 22 people and 2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
West Arthur (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for West Arthur (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional WA and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for West Arthur (S), with comparison markers for Regional WA.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
36
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
36
4.7%
-2.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
87
% of total
11.3%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
87
11.3%
+0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
41
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
41
5.3%
+1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
35
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
35
4.5%
-0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
50
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
50
6.5%
-1.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
130
% of total
16.8%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
130
16.8%
-2.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
153
% of total
19.8%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
153
19.8%
+2.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
138
% of total
17.9%
Change from 2016
+3.4pp
138
17.9%
+3.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
93
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
93
12.0%
+2.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
20
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
20
2.6%
+0.6pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-22
-2.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
0
+0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+7
+1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-2
-0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-17
-1.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-22
-2.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+9
+2.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+21
+3.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+12
+2.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+4
+0.6pp
Data table
Service age groups for West Arthur (S). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional WA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | % | Regional WA% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 36 | 4.7% | 6.0% | 58 | 7.2% | 6.6% | -22 | -2.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 87 | 11.3% | 9.5% | 87 | 10.8% | 9.8% | 0 | +0.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 41 | 5.3% | 7.6% | 34 | 4.2% | 7.4% | +7 | +1.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 35 | 4.5% | 6.7% | 37 | 4.6% | 7.0% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 50 | 6.5% | 12.5% | 67 | 8.3% | 13.6% | -17 | -1.8pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 130 | 16.8% | 19.9% | 152 | 18.8% | 20.8% | -22 | -2.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 153 | 19.8% | 13.7% | 144 | 17.8% | 14.1% | +9 | +2.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 138 | 17.9% | 12.4% | 117 | 14.5% | 11.3% | +21 | +3.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 93 | 12.0% | 10.1% | 81 | 10.0% | 7.8% | +12 | +2.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 20 | 2.6% | 1.7% | 16 | 2.0% | 1.5% | +4 | +0.6pp |
| Total | 773 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 809 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -36 | 0.0pp |