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 Southern Cross (WA), accounting for 24.1% (138 people). This share was higher than Yilgarn (S) (20.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69), which decreased by 46 people and 4.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Southern Cross (WA) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Southern Cross (WA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Yilgarn (S) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Southern Cross (WA), with comparison markers for Yilgarn (S).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
30
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
30
5.2%
-1.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
56
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
56
9.8%
+2.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
18
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
18
3.1%
-0.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
33
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
33
5.8%
+0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
74
% of total
12.9%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
74
12.9%
-0.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
96
% of total
16.8%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
96
16.8%
-3.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
138
% of total
24.1%
Change from 2016
+7.6pp
138
24.1%
+7.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
69
% of total
12.1%
Change from 2016
-4.8pp
69
12.1%
-4.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
73
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
+4.0pp
73
12.8%
+4.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
22
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
22
3.8%
+1.7pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-16
-1.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+4
+2.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-9
-0.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-6
+0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-20
-0.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-39
-3.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+26
+7.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-46
-4.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+13
+4.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+8
+1.7pp
Data table
Service age groups for Southern Cross (WA). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Yilgarn (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Yilgarn (S)% | Count | % | Yilgarn (S)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 30 | 5.2% | 3.5% | 46 | 6.8% | 4.1% | -16 | -1.6pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 56 | 9.8% | 4.9% | 52 | 7.6% | 7.2% | +4 | +2.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 18 | 3.1% | 2.2% | 27 | 4.0% | 2.2% | -9 | -0.9pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 33 | 5.8% | 4.9% | 39 | 5.7% | 5.3% | -6 | +0.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 74 | 12.9% | 14.8% | 94 | 13.8% | 14.5% | -20 | -0.9pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 96 | 16.8% | 22.5% | 135 | 19.9% | 21.8% | -39 | -3.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 138 | 24.1% | 20.1% | 112 | 16.5% | 20.5% | +26 | +7.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 69 | 12.1% | 13.1% | 115 | 16.9% | 12.9% | -46 | -4.8pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 73 | 12.8% | 8.2% | 60 | 8.8% | 8.1% | +13 | +4.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 22 | 3.8% | 2.1% | 14 | 2.1% | 1.7% | +8 | +1.7pp |
| Total | 572 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 680 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -108 | 0.0pp |