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 South Gladstone, accounting for 20.3% (706 people). This share was similar to Gladstone (R) (20.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 660 people, while its share fell by 5.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
South Gladstone - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for South Gladstone in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Gladstone (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for South Gladstone, with comparison markers for Gladstone (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
194
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
194
5.6%
+2.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
300
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-5.5pp
300
8.6%
-5.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
285
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
+3.7pp
285
8.2%
+3.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
309
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
+7.2pp
309
8.9%
+7.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
439
% of total
12.6%
Change from 2016
+7.0pp
439
12.6%
+7.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
706
% of total
20.3%
Change from 2016
-5.7pp
706
20.3%
-5.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
528
% of total
15.2%
Change from 2016
-6.8pp
528
15.2%
-6.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
401
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
401
11.5%
-2.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
275
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
+3.9pp
275
7.9%
+3.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
53
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
53
1.5%
+1.5pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+188
+2.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+275
-5.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+277
+3.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+306
+7.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+429
+7.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+660
-5.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+489
-6.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+376
-2.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+268
+3.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+53
+1.5pp
Data table
Service age groups for South Gladstone. 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) | 194 | 5.6% | 6.4% | 6 | 3.4% | 7.5% | +188 | +2.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 300 | 8.6% | 10.4% | 25 | 14.1% | 10.8% | +275 | -5.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 285 | 8.2% | 8.8% | 8 | 4.5% | 8.4% | +277 | +3.7pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 309 | 8.9% | 7.2% | 3 | 1.7% | 8.0% | +306 | +7.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 439 | 12.6% | 12.3% | 10 | 5.6% | 13.9% | +429 | +7.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 706 | 20.3% | 20.3% | 46 | 26.0% | 22.0% | +660 | -5.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 528 | 15.2% | 14.3% | 39 | 22.0% | 14.0% | +489 | -6.8pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 401 | 11.5% | 11.6% | 25 | 14.1% | 9.2% | +376 | -2.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 275 | 7.9% | 7.7% | 7 | 4.0% | 5.5% | +268 | +3.9pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 53 | 1.5% | 1.1% | 0 | 0.0% | 0.8% | +53 | +1.5pp |
| Total | 3,476 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 177 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,299 | 0.0pp |