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.

Key insight

In 2021, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in West Stowe, accounting for 22.8% (89 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 83 people and 6.1 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

West Stowe - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for West Stowe in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Gladstone (R) and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups snapshot

2021 distribution by category for West Stowe, with comparison markers for Gladstone (R).

West Stowe
Gladstone (R)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

19

% of total

4.9%

Change from 2016

-3.4pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

33

% of total

8.4%

Change from 2016

+8.4pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

36

% of total

9.2%

Change from 2016

+9.2pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

36

% of total

9.2%

Change from 2016

+9.2pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

89

% of total

22.8%

Change from 2016

+6.1pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

71

% of total

18.2%

Change from 2016

+7.1pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

58

% of total

14.8%

Change from 2016

-1.9pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

23

% of total

5.9%

Change from 2016

+5.9pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

0

% of total

0.0%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Data table

Service age groups for West Stowe. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Gladstone (R).

Service age groups for West Stowe. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Gladstone (R).
Service age groups for West Stowe. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Gladstone (R).
Category20212016Change
Count%Gladstone (R)%Count%Gladstone (R)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)00.0%6.4%00.0%7.5%00.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)194.9%10.4%38.3%10.8%+16-3.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)338.4%8.8%00.0%8.4%+33+8.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)369.2%7.2%00.0%8.0%+36+9.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)369.2%12.3%00.0%13.9%+36+9.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)8922.8%20.3%616.7%22.0%+83+6.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)7118.2%14.3%411.1%14.0%+67+7.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)5814.8%11.6%616.7%9.2%+52-1.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)235.9%7.7%00.0%5.5%+23+5.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)00.0%1.1%00.0%0.8%00.0pp
Total391100.0%100.0%36100.0%100.0%+3550.0pp