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 Sunnybank, accounting for 20.3% (1,803 people). This share was lower than Brisbane (C) (22.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24), which decreased by 483 people and 5.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Sunnybank - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Sunnybank in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Brisbane (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sunnybank, with comparison markers for Brisbane (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
403
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
403
4.5%
-0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
666
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
666
7.5%
+1.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
545
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
545
6.1%
+1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
958
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
-5.8pp
958
10.8%
-5.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,793
% of total
20.2%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
1,793
20.2%
-1.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,803
% of total
20.3%
Change from 2016
+3.6pp
1,803
20.3%
+3.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
854
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
854
9.6%
-0.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
875
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
875
9.8%
+0.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
850
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
850
9.6%
+1.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
172
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
172
1.9%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+7
-0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+161
+1.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+111
+1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-483
-5.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-94
-1.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+348
+3.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-11
-0.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+50
+0.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+125
+1.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+26
+0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Sunnybank. 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) | 403 | 4.5% | 5.5% | 396 | 4.6% | 6.0% | +7 | -0.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 666 | 7.5% | 8.4% | 505 | 5.8% | 8.3% | +161 | +1.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 545 | 6.1% | 7.0% | 434 | 5.0% | 6.7% | +111 | +1.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 958 | 10.8% | 10.4% | 1,441 | 16.6% | 11.5% | -483 | -5.8pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,793 | 20.2% | 16.6% | 1,887 | 21.7% | 17.3% | -94 | -1.5pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,803 | 20.3% | 22.1% | 1,455 | 16.7% | 21.5% | +348 | +3.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 854 | 9.6% | 11.8% | 865 | 9.9% | 11.6% | -11 | -0.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 875 | 9.8% | 8.8% | 825 | 9.5% | 8.6% | +50 | +0.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 850 | 9.6% | 7.7% | 725 | 8.3% | 6.6% | +125 | +1.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 172 | 1.9% | 1.8% | 146 | 1.7% | 1.8% | +26 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 8,892 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,697 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +195 | 0.0pp |