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.

Key insight

In 2021, Young workforce (25 to 34) was the most common category among residents in East Brisbane, accounting for 25.2% (1,560 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (16.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 239 people and 2.7 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

East Brisbane - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for East Brisbane in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brisbane (C) and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups snapshot

2021 distribution by category for East Brisbane, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).

East Brisbane
Brisbane (C)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

212

% of total

3.4%

Change from 2016

-1.3pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

320

% of total

5.2%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

313

% of total

5.1%

Change from 2016

-0.8pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

855

% of total

13.8%

Change from 2016

-1.2pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

1,560

% of total

25.2%

Change from 2016

-1.5pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

1,388

% of total

22.4%

Change from 2016

+2.7pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

685

% of total

11.1%

Change from 2016

+0.8pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

446

% of total

7.2%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

331

% of total

5.4%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

48

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Data table

Service age groups for East Brisbane. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).

Service age groups for East Brisbane. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).
Service age groups for East Brisbane. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Brisbane (C)%Count%Brisbane (C)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)2123.4%5.5%2714.7%6.0%-59-1.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)3205.2%8.4%2864.9%8.3%+34+0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)3135.1%7.0%3475.9%6.7%-34-0.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)85513.8%10.4%87215.0%11.5%-17-1.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)1,56025.2%16.6%1,55626.7%17.3%+4-1.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)1,38822.4%22.1%1,14919.7%21.5%+239+2.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)68511.1%11.8%59910.3%11.6%+86+0.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)4467.2%8.8%4247.3%8.6%+22-0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)3315.4%7.7%3065.2%6.6%+25+0.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)480.8%1.8%400.7%1.8%+8+0.1pp
Total6,186100.0%100.0%5,830100.0%100.0%+3560.0pp