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 McDowall, accounting for 22.3% (1,699 people). This share was similar to Brisbane (C) (22.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 164 people and 1.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
McDowall - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for McDowall in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brisbane (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for McDowall, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
483
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
483
6.3%
-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
751
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
751
9.9%
+0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
618
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
618
8.1%
-0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
689
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
689
9.1%
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
798
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
798
10.5%
-0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,699
% of total
22.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,699
22.3%
+0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
965
% of total
12.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
965
12.7%
-0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
831
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
831
10.9%
-0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
686
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
686
9.0%
+1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
79
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
79
1.0%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+13
-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+59
+0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-14
-0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-2
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-10
-0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+112
+0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+5
-0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+26
-0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+164
+1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+12
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for McDowall. 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) | 483 | 6.3% | 5.5% | 470 | 6.5% | 6.0% | +13 | -0.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 751 | 9.9% | 8.4% | 692 | 9.6% | 8.3% | +59 | +0.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 618 | 8.1% | 7.0% | 632 | 8.7% | 6.7% | -14 | -0.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 689 | 9.1% | 10.4% | 691 | 9.5% | 11.5% | -2 | -0.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 798 | 10.5% | 16.6% | 808 | 11.2% | 17.3% | -10 | -0.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,699 | 22.3% | 22.1% | 1,587 | 21.9% | 21.5% | +112 | +0.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 965 | 12.7% | 11.8% | 960 | 13.3% | 11.6% | +5 | -0.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 831 | 10.9% | 8.8% | 805 | 11.1% | 8.6% | +26 | -0.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 686 | 9.0% | 7.7% | 522 | 7.2% | 6.6% | +164 | +1.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 79 | 1.0% | 1.8% | 67 | 0.9% | 1.8% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 7,612 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,237 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +375 | 0.0pp |