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 South Brisbane, accounting for 29.7% (4,238 people). This share was higher than Brisbane (C) (16.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which increased by 2,078 people, while its share fell by 0.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
South Brisbane - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for South 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 South Brisbane, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
358
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
358
2.5%
0.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
487
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
487
3.4%
+0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
651
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
651
4.6%
-1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
3,338
% of total
23.4%
Change from 2016
+3.5pp
3,338
23.4%
+3.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
4,238
% of total
29.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
4,238
29.7%
-0.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
2,829
% of total
19.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
2,829
19.8%
+0.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,120
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
1,120
7.8%
-0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
696
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
696
4.9%
-0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
507
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
507
3.5%
-0.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
82
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
82
0.6%
-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)
+175
0.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+256
+0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+236
-1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+1,900
+3.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+2,078
-0.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+1,400
+0.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+519
-0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+278
-0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+232
-0.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+31
-0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for South Brisbane. 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) | 358 | 2.5% | 5.5% | 183 | 2.5% | 6.0% | +175 | 0.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 487 | 3.4% | 8.4% | 231 | 3.2% | 8.3% | +256 | +0.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 651 | 4.6% | 7.0% | 415 | 5.7% | 6.7% | +236 | -1.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 3,338 | 23.4% | 10.4% | 1,438 | 19.9% | 11.5% | +1,900 | +3.5pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 4,238 | 29.7% | 16.6% | 2,160 | 29.8% | 17.3% | +2,078 | -0.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 2,829 | 19.8% | 22.1% | 1,429 | 19.7% | 21.5% | +1,400 | +0.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,120 | 7.8% | 11.8% | 601 | 8.3% | 11.6% | +519 | -0.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 696 | 4.9% | 8.8% | 418 | 5.8% | 8.6% | +278 | -0.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 507 | 3.5% | 7.7% | 275 | 3.8% | 6.6% | +232 | -0.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 82 | 0.6% | 1.8% | 51 | 0.7% | 1.8% | +31 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 14,292 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,238 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +7,054 | 0.0pp |