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 Gold Coast (C), accounting for 20.5% (127,851 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (19%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 16,827 people and 1.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Gold Coast (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Gold Coast (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Gold Coast (C), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
33,486
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
33,486
5.4%
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
53,000
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
53,000
8.5%
-0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
45,489
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
45,489
7.3%
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
53,640
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
53,640
8.6%
-0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
86,424
% of total
13.8%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
86,424
13.8%
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
127,851
% of total
20.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
127,851
20.5%
-0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
78,837
% of total
12.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
78,837
12.6%
0.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
66,956
% of total
10.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
66,956
10.7%
-0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
66,589
% of total
10.7%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
66,589
10.7%
+1.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
12,800
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
12,800
2.0%
-0.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+510
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+4,724
-0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+5,647
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+2,457
-0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+10,006
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+12,358
-0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+8,896
0.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+6,746
-0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+16,827
+1.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+1,146
-0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Gold Coast (C). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 33,486 | 5.4% | 5.4% | 32,976 | 5.9% | 6.1% | +510 | -0.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 53,000 | 8.5% | 8.9% | 48,276 | 8.7% | 9.4% | +4,724 | -0.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 45,489 | 7.3% | 7.8% | 39,842 | 7.2% | 7.7% | +5,647 | +0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 53,640 | 8.6% | 7.9% | 51,183 | 9.2% | 8.3% | +2,457 | -0.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 86,424 | 13.8% | 12.4% | 76,418 | 13.8% | 12.4% | +10,006 | 0.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 127,851 | 20.5% | 19.0% | 115,493 | 20.8% | 19.6% | +12,358 | -0.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 78,837 | 12.6% | 13.2% | 69,941 | 12.6% | 13.4% | +8,896 | 0.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 66,956 | 10.7% | 12.2% | 60,210 | 10.8% | 11.7% | +6,746 | -0.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 66,589 | 10.7% | 11.3% | 49,762 | 9.0% | 9.4% | +16,827 | +1.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 12,800 | 2.0% | 2.1% | 11,654 | 2.1% | 1.9% | +1,146 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 625,087 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 555,721 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +69,366 | 0.0pp |