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 West Coast (M), accounting for 17.1% (728 people). This share was similar to Regional Tas. (17%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69), which increased by 121 people and 2.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
West Coast (M) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for West Coast (M) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Tas. and change since 2016.
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for West Coast (M), with comparison markers for Regional Tas..
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
214
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
214
5.0%
-1.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
334
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
334
7.8%
-1.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
240
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
240
5.6%
-0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
262
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
262
6.1%
-0.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
528
% of total
12.4%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
528
12.4%
+1.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
728
% of total
17.1%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
728
17.1%
-2.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
725
% of total
17.0%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
725
17.0%
+0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
685
% of total
16.1%
Change from 2016
+2.5pp
685
16.1%
+2.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
511
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
511
12.0%
+1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
58
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
58
1.4%
+0.4pp
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-46
-1.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-38
-1.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-9
-0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-13
-0.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+63
+1.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-91
-2.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+30
+0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+121
+2.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+88
+1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+18
+0.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for West Coast (M). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Tas..
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | % | Regional Tas.% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 214 | 5.0% | 5.0% | 260 | 6.3% | 5.4% | -46 | -1.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 334 | 7.8% | 7.8% | 372 | 9.0% | 8.5% | -38 | -1.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 240 | 5.6% | 7.1% | 249 | 6.0% | 7.3% | -9 | -0.4pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 262 | 6.1% | 7.2% | 275 | 6.6% | 7.8% | -13 | -0.5pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 528 | 12.4% | 11.9% | 465 | 11.2% | 10.2% | +63 | +1.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 728 | 17.1% | 17.0% | 819 | 19.7% | 18.1% | -91 | -2.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 725 | 17.0% | 13.9% | 695 | 16.8% | 14.8% | +30 | +0.2pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 685 | 16.1% | 14.4% | 564 | 13.6% | 14.2% | +121 | +2.5pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 511 | 12.0% | 13.4% | 423 | 10.2% | 11.3% | +88 | +1.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 58 | 1.4% | 2.4% | 40 | 1.0% | 2.3% | +18 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 4,263 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,149 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +114 | 0.0pp |