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.

Key insight

In 2021, Primary schoolers (5 to 11) was the most common category among residents in Cherbourg (S), accounting for 19.6% (234 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (8.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4), which decreased by 60 people and 4.2 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Cherbourg (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Cherbourg (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Cherbourg (S), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.

Cherbourg (S)
Regional Qld

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

114

% of total

9.5%

Change from 2016

-4.2pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

234

% of total

19.6%

Change from 2016

+2.7pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

136

% of total

11.4%

Change from 2016

-1.5pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

145

% of total

12.1%

Change from 2016

-2.3pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

170

% of total

14.2%

Change from 2016

+2.1pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

190

% of total

15.9%

Change from 2016

-1.3pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

80

% of total

6.7%

Change from 2016

-1.8pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

81

% of total

6.8%

Change from 2016

+2.5pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

26

% of total

2.2%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

4

% of total

0.3%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Data table

Service age groups for Cherbourg (S). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.

Service age groups for Cherbourg (S). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
Service age groups for Cherbourg (S). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional Qld%Count%Regional Qld%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)1149.5%5.4%17413.7%6.1%-60-4.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)23419.6%8.9%21416.9%9.4%+20+2.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)13611.4%7.8%16412.9%7.7%-28-1.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)14512.1%7.9%18314.4%8.3%-38-2.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)17014.2%12.4%15312.1%12.4%+17+2.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)19015.9%19.0%21817.2%19.6%-28-1.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)806.7%13.2%1088.5%13.4%-28-1.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)816.8%12.2%554.3%11.7%+26+2.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)262.2%11.3%231.8%9.4%+3+0.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)40.3%2.1%70.6%1.9%-3-0.3pp
Total1,194100.0%100.0%1,269100.0%100.0%-750.0pp