Whanganui District
Service age groups
The Whanganui District had a similar proportion of pre-schoolers and a higher proportion of people at post retirement age than New Zealand in 2013.
The Age Structure of the population is the most widely used component of the Census. It is an indicator of an area’s residential role and function and how it is likely to change in the future. The Whanganui District's age demographics are indicative of the area’s era of settlement and provide key insights into the level of demand for services and facilities (as most services and facilities are age-specific).
To get a more complete picture of the Whanganui District's demographic characteristics, the Whanganui District's Age Structure should be viewed in conjunction with Family and Household type data.
Derived from the Census question:
'When were you born?'
Total population
| Age structure - Service age groups | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whanganui District | 2013 | 2006 | Change | ||||||
| Service age group (years) | Number | % | New Zealand % | Number | % | New Zealand % | 2006 to 2013 | ||
 Babies and Pre-schoolers (0 to 4 ) | 2,808 | 6.7 | 6.9 | 2,685 | 6.3 | 6.8 | +123 | 1020 | 1400 |
| Primary Schoolers (5 to 11) | 3,912 | 9.3 | 9.4 | 4,404 | 10.3 | 10.1 | -492 | 1021 | 1400 |
| Secondary Schoolers (12 to 17 ) | 3,729 | 8.8 | 8.3 | 4,227 | 9.9 | 9.2 | -498 | 1022 | 1400 |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 3,132 | 7.4 | 9.6 | 3,117 | 7.3 | 9.6 | +15 | 1023 | 1400 |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 3,996 | 9.5 | 12.1 | 4,335 | 10.2 | 12.9 | -339 | 1024 | 1400 |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 7,770 | 18.4 | 20.6 | 8,934 | 21.0 | 22.6 | -1,164 | 1025 | 1400 |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 6,060 | 14.4 | 13.2 | 5,505 | 12.9 | 12.1 | +555 | 1026 | 1400 |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 4,950 | 11.7 | 10.1 | 4,050 | 9.5 | 8.1 | +900 | 1027 | 1400 |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 4,641 | 11.0 | 8.0 | 4,482 | 10.5 | 7.2 | +159 | 1028 | 1400 |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 1,152 | 2.7 | 1.7 | 897 | 2.1 | 1.4 | +255 | 1029 | 1400 |
| Total | 42,150 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 42,636 | 100.0 | 100.0 | -486 | ||
Source: Statistics New Zealand, Census of Population and Dwellings (opens a new window) 2006 and 2013. Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (opens a new window) , the population experts.
Dominant groups
Analysis of the service age groups of the Whanganui District in 2013 compared to the New Zealand shows that there was a similar proportion of people in the younger age groups (0 to 17 years) and a higher proportion of people in the older age groups (60+ years).
Overall, 24.8% of the population was aged between 0 and 17, and 25.5% were aged 60 years and over, compared with 24.6% and 19.8% respectively for the New Zealand.
The major differences between the age structure of the Whanganui District and the New Zealand were:
- A larger percentage of 'Seniors (70 to 84)' (11.0% compared to 8.0%)
- A smaller percentage of 'Young workforce (25 to 34)' (9.5% compared to 12.1%)
- A smaller percentage of 'Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)' (7.4% compared to 9.6%)
- A smaller percentage of 'Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)' (18.4% compared to 20.6%)
Emerging groups
From 2006 to 2013, Whanganui District's population decreased by 486 people (1.1%). This represents an average annual population change of -0.16% per year over the period.
The largest changes in age structure in this area between 2006 and 2013 were in the age groups:
- Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) (-1,164 persons)
- Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) (+900 persons)
- Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) (+555 persons)
- Secondary Schoolers (12 to 17 ) (-498 persons)