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, Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) was the most common category among residents in Machine Creek, accounting for 20.6% (27 people). This share was higher than Gladstone (R) (11.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69), which increased by 27 people and 20.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Machine Creek - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Machine Creek in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Gladstone (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Machine Creek, with comparison markers for Gladstone (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
0
0.0%
0.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
22
% of total
16.8%
Change from 2016
+16.8pp
22
16.8%
+16.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
7
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+5.3pp
7
5.3%
+5.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
5
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
+3.8pp
5
3.8%
+3.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
4
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
4
3.1%
+3.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
20
% of total
15.3%
Change from 2016
-34.7pp
20
15.3%
-34.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
3
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
3
2.3%
+2.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
27
% of total
20.6%
Change from 2016
+20.6pp
27
20.6%
+20.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
7
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+5.3pp
7
5.3%
+5.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
0
0.0%
0.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
0
0.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+22
+16.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+7
+5.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+5
+3.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+4
+3.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+16
-34.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+3
+2.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+27
+20.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+7
+5.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
0
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Machine Creek. 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) | 0 | 0.0% | 6.4% | 0 | 0.0% | 7.5% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 22 | 16.8% | 10.4% | 0 | 0.0% | 10.8% | +22 | +16.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 7 | 5.3% | 8.8% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.4% | +7 | +5.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 5 | 3.8% | 7.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.0% | +5 | +3.8pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 4 | 3.1% | 12.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 13.9% | +4 | +3.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 20 | 15.3% | 20.3% | 4 | 50.0% | 22.0% | +16 | -34.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 3 | 2.3% | 14.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 14.0% | +3 | +2.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 27 | 20.6% | 11.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 9.2% | +27 | +20.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 7 | 5.3% | 7.7% | 0 | 0.0% | 5.5% | +7 | +5.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 0 | 0.0% | 1.1% | 0 | 0.0% | 0.8% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 131 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +123 | 0.0pp |