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 Shorncliffe, accounting for 20.9% (399 people). This share was lower than Brisbane (C) (22.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69), which increased by 65 people and 3.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Shorncliffe - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Shorncliffe in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brisbane (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Shorncliffe, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
63
% of total
3.3%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
63
3.3%
-1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
177
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
177
9.3%
-1.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
160
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
160
8.4%
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
119
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
119
6.2%
-1.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
130
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
130
6.8%
+1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
399
% of total
20.9%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
399
20.9%
-2.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
323
% of total
16.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
323
16.9%
+0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
315
% of total
16.5%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
315
16.5%
+3.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
188
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
+2.5pp
188
9.9%
+2.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
37
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
37
1.9%
+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)
-18
-1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-21
-1.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
0
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-30
-1.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+22
+1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-37
-2.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+10
+0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+65
+3.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+49
+2.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+4
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Shorncliffe. 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) | 63 | 3.3% | 5.5% | 81 | 4.3% | 6.0% | -18 | -1.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 177 | 9.3% | 8.4% | 198 | 10.6% | 8.3% | -21 | -1.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 160 | 8.4% | 7.0% | 160 | 8.6% | 6.7% | 0 | -0.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 119 | 6.2% | 10.4% | 149 | 8.0% | 11.5% | -30 | -1.8pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 130 | 6.8% | 16.6% | 108 | 5.8% | 17.3% | +22 | +1.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 399 | 20.9% | 22.1% | 436 | 23.3% | 21.5% | -37 | -2.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 323 | 16.9% | 11.8% | 313 | 16.7% | 11.6% | +10 | +0.2pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 315 | 16.5% | 8.8% | 250 | 13.4% | 8.6% | +65 | +3.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 188 | 9.9% | 7.7% | 139 | 7.4% | 6.6% | +49 | +2.5pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 37 | 1.9% | 1.8% | 33 | 1.8% | 1.8% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 1,907 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,870 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +37 | 0.0pp |