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 Kirkwood, accounting for 22.4% (564 people). This share was higher than Gladstone (R) (20.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 93 people and 1.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Kirkwood - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Kirkwood in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Gladstone (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Kirkwood, with comparison markers for Gladstone (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
261
% of total
10.4%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
261
10.4%
-3.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
354
% of total
14.1%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
354
14.1%
-0.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
266
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
266
10.6%
+2.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
206
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
206
8.2%
-3.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
489
% of total
19.5%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
489
19.5%
-1.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
564
% of total
22.4%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
564
22.4%
+1.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
209
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
209
8.3%
+2.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
111
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
111
4.4%
+2.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
43
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
43
1.7%
+1.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
4
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
4
0.2%
+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)
-43
-3.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+17
-0.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+72
+2.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-58
-3.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+11
-1.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+93
+1.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+75
+2.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+74
+2.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+34
+1.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+4
+0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Kirkwood. 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) | 261 | 10.4% | 6.4% | 304 | 13.5% | 7.5% | -43 | -3.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 354 | 14.1% | 10.4% | 337 | 15.0% | 10.8% | +17 | -0.9pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 266 | 10.6% | 8.8% | 194 | 8.6% | 8.4% | +72 | +2.0pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 206 | 8.2% | 7.2% | 264 | 11.7% | 8.0% | -58 | -3.5pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 489 | 19.5% | 12.3% | 478 | 21.2% | 13.9% | +11 | -1.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 564 | 22.4% | 20.3% | 471 | 20.9% | 22.0% | +93 | +1.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 209 | 8.3% | 14.3% | 134 | 6.0% | 14.0% | +75 | +2.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 111 | 4.4% | 11.6% | 37 | 1.6% | 9.2% | +74 | +2.8pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 43 | 1.7% | 7.7% | 9 | 0.4% | 5.5% | +34 | +1.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 4 | 0.2% | 1.1% | 0 | 0.0% | 0.8% | +4 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 2,513 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,250 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +263 | 0.0pp |