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, Young workforce (25 to 34) was the most common category among residents in Herston, accounting for 24.3% (562 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (16.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24), which decreased by 120 people and 6.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Herston - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Herston in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brisbane (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Herston, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
94
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
94
4.1%
-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
145
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
145
6.3%
+1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
107
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
107
4.6%
+0.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
413
% of total
17.9%
Change from 2016
-6.2pp
413
17.9%
-6.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
562
% of total
24.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
562
24.3%
-0.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
476
% of total
20.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
476
20.6%
-0.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
212
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
212
9.2%
+0.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
139
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
139
6.0%
+0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
80
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
80
3.5%
+0.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
12
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
12
0.5%
-0.8pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-2
-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+29
+1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+17
+0.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-120
-6.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+21
-0.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+18
-0.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+28
+0.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+14
+0.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+15
+0.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-17
-0.8pp
Data table
Service age groups for Herston. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Brisbane (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Brisbane (C)% | Count | % | Brisbane (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 94 | 4.1% | 5.5% | 96 | 4.3% | 6.0% | -2 | -0.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 145 | 6.3% | 8.4% | 116 | 5.2% | 8.3% | +29 | +1.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 107 | 4.6% | 7.0% | 90 | 4.1% | 6.7% | +17 | +0.5pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 413 | 17.9% | 10.4% | 533 | 24.1% | 11.5% | -120 | -6.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 562 | 24.3% | 16.6% | 541 | 24.4% | 17.3% | +21 | -0.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 476 | 20.6% | 22.1% | 458 | 20.7% | 21.5% | +18 | -0.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 212 | 9.2% | 11.8% | 184 | 8.3% | 11.6% | +28 | +0.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 139 | 6.0% | 8.8% | 125 | 5.6% | 8.6% | +14 | +0.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 80 | 3.5% | 7.7% | 65 | 2.9% | 6.6% | +15 | +0.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 12 | 0.5% | 1.8% | 29 | 1.3% | 1.8% | -17 | -0.8pp |
| Total | 2,311 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,215 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +96 | 0.0pp |