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 Tannum Sands, accounting for 22.4% (1,172 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 161 people and 2.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Tannum Sands - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Tannum Sands in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Gladstone (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Tannum Sands, with comparison markers for Gladstone (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
264
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
264
5.1%
-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
577
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
577
11.0%
-1.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
567
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
567
10.8%
-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
296
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
296
5.7%
-0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
477
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
477
9.1%
-0.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,172
% of total
22.4%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
1,172
22.4%
-2.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
829
% of total
15.9%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
829
15.9%
-0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
627
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
627
12.0%
+2.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
363
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
363
6.9%
+2.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
50
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
50
1.0%
+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)
-36
-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-74
-1.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-2
-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-15
-0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-7
-0.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-87
-2.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-13
-0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+161
+2.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+120
+2.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+25
+0.5pp
Data table
Service age groups for Tannum Sands. 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) | 264 | 5.1% | 6.4% | 300 | 5.8% | 7.5% | -36 | -0.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 577 | 11.0% | 10.4% | 651 | 12.7% | 10.8% | -74 | -1.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 567 | 10.8% | 8.8% | 569 | 11.1% | 8.4% | -2 | -0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 296 | 5.7% | 7.2% | 311 | 6.0% | 8.0% | -15 | -0.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 477 | 9.1% | 12.3% | 484 | 9.4% | 13.9% | -7 | -0.3pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,172 | 22.4% | 20.3% | 1,259 | 24.5% | 22.0% | -87 | -2.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 829 | 15.9% | 14.3% | 842 | 16.4% | 14.0% | -13 | -0.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 627 | 12.0% | 11.6% | 466 | 9.1% | 9.2% | +161 | +2.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 363 | 6.9% | 7.7% | 243 | 4.7% | 5.5% | +120 | +2.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 50 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 25 | 0.5% | 0.8% | +25 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 5,227 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,145 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +82 | 0.0pp |