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 Gladstone Central, accounting for 22.6% (350 people). This share was higher than Gladstone (R) (20.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69), which increased by 47 people and 3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Gladstone Central - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Gladstone Central in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Gladstone (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Gladstone Central, with comparison markers for Gladstone (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
91
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
91
5.9%
+0.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
79
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
79
5.1%
-1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
77
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
77
5.0%
+0.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
175
% of total
11.3%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
175
11.3%
-2.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
245
% of total
15.8%
Change from 2016
-3.0pp
245
15.8%
-3.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
350
% of total
22.6%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
350
22.6%
+0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
247
% of total
15.9%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
247
15.9%
+1.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
180
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
+3.0pp
180
11.6%
+3.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
108
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
108
7.0%
+1.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
13
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
13
0.8%
-0.5pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+12
+0.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-17
-1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+13
+0.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-34
-2.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-46
-3.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+15
+0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+30
+1.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+47
+3.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+16
+1.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-7
-0.5pp
Data table
Service age groups for Gladstone Central. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Gladstone (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Gladstone (R)% | Count | % | Gladstone (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 91 | 5.9% | 6.4% | 79 | 5.1% | 7.5% | +12 | +0.8pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 79 | 5.1% | 10.4% | 96 | 6.2% | 10.8% | -17 | -1.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 77 | 5.0% | 8.8% | 64 | 4.1% | 8.4% | +13 | +0.9pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 175 | 11.3% | 7.2% | 209 | 13.5% | 8.0% | -34 | -2.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 245 | 15.8% | 12.3% | 291 | 18.8% | 13.9% | -46 | -3.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 350 | 22.6% | 20.3% | 335 | 21.7% | 22.0% | +15 | +0.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 247 | 15.9% | 14.3% | 217 | 14.0% | 14.0% | +30 | +1.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 180 | 11.6% | 11.6% | 133 | 8.6% | 9.2% | +47 | +3.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 108 | 7.0% | 7.7% | 92 | 5.9% | 5.5% | +16 | +1.1pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 13 | 0.8% | 1.1% | 20 | 1.3% | 0.8% | -7 | -0.5pp |
| Total | 1,550 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,547 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3 | 0.0pp |