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 Cook (S), accounting for 18.9% (852 people). This share was similar to Regional Qld (19%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 147 people and 2.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Cook (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Cook (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 Cook (S), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
239
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
239
5.3%
-0.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
398
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
398
8.8%
-0.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
282
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
282
6.3%
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
283
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
283
6.3%
-2.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
619
% of total
13.7%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
619
13.7%
+1.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
852
% of total
18.9%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
852
18.9%
+1.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
648
% of total
14.4%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
648
14.4%
-1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
690
% of total
15.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
690
15.3%
+0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
481
% of total
10.7%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
481
10.7%
+2.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
20
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
20
0.4%
-0.3pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-22
-0.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-5
-0.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+22
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-82
-2.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+92
+1.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+104
+1.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-17
-1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+49
+0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+147
+2.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-10
-0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Cook (S). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 239 | 5.3% | 5.4% | 261 | 6.2% | 6.1% | -22 | -0.9pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 398 | 8.8% | 8.9% | 403 | 9.5% | 9.4% | -5 | -0.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 282 | 6.3% | 7.8% | 260 | 6.2% | 7.7% | +22 | +0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 283 | 6.3% | 7.9% | 365 | 8.6% | 8.3% | -82 | -2.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 619 | 13.7% | 12.4% | 527 | 12.5% | 12.4% | +92 | +1.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 852 | 18.9% | 19.0% | 748 | 17.7% | 19.6% | +104 | +1.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 648 | 14.4% | 13.2% | 665 | 15.7% | 13.4% | -17 | -1.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 690 | 15.3% | 12.2% | 641 | 15.2% | 11.7% | +49 | +0.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 481 | 10.7% | 11.3% | 334 | 7.9% | 9.4% | +147 | +2.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 20 | 0.4% | 2.1% | 30 | 0.7% | 1.9% | -10 | -0.3pp |
| Total | 4,511 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,226 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +285 | 0.0pp |