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 Lockyer Valley (R), accounting for 18.3% (7,538 people). This share was lower than Regional Qld (19%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 860 people and 1.5 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Lockyer Valley (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Lockyer Valley (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Lockyer Valley (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.

Lockyer Valley (R)
Regional Qld

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

2,296

% of total

5.6%

Change from 2016

-0.4pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

3,764

% of total

9.2%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

3,439

% of total

8.4%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

3,477

% of total

8.5%

Change from 2016

-1.0pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

5,139

% of total

12.5%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

7,538

% of total

18.3%

Change from 2016

-0.6pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

5,637

% of total

13.7%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

4,865

% of total

11.8%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

4,282

% of total

10.4%

Change from 2016

+1.5pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

658

% of total

1.6%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Data table

Service age groups for Lockyer Valley (R). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.

Service age groups for Lockyer Valley (R). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
Service age groups for Lockyer Valley (R). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional Qld%Count%Regional Qld%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)2,2965.6%5.4%2,3186.0%6.1%-22-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)3,7649.2%8.9%3,6399.4%9.4%+125-0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)3,4398.4%7.8%3,2218.3%7.7%+218+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)3,4778.5%7.9%3,6749.5%8.3%-197-1.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)5,13912.5%12.4%4,65212.0%12.4%+487+0.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)7,53818.3%19.0%7,29118.9%19.6%+247-0.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)5,63713.7%13.2%5,22113.5%13.4%+416+0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)4,86511.8%12.2%4,55911.8%11.7%+3060.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)4,28210.4%11.3%3,4228.9%9.4%+860+1.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)6581.6%2.1%5931.5%1.9%+65+0.1pp
Total41,101100.0%100.0%38,609100.0%100.0%+2,4920.0pp