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, Young workforce (25 to 34) was the most common category among residents in Alexandra (Qld), accounting for 20.6% (39 people). This share was higher than Mackay (R) (12.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59), which decreased by 23 people and 11.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Alexandra (Qld) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Alexandra (Qld) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Alexandra (Qld), with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
22
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
22
11.6%
+2.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
12
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
12
6.3%
+1.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
4
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
4
2.1%
-3.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
4
% of total
2.1%
Change from 2016
-9.8pp
4
2.1%
-9.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
39
% of total
20.6%
Change from 2016
+6.6pp
39
20.6%
+6.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
13
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-4.5pp
13
6.9%
-4.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
30
% of total
15.9%
Change from 2016
-11.6pp
30
15.9%
-11.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
26
% of total
13.8%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
26
13.8%
+2.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
26
% of total
13.8%
Change from 2016
+9.7pp
26
13.8%
+9.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
0
0.0%
0.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+5
+2.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+3
+1.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-6
-3.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-19
-9.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+12
+6.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-9
-4.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-23
-11.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+5
+2.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+18
+9.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
0
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Alexandra (Qld). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mackay (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Mackay (R)% | Count | % | Mackay (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 22 | 11.6% | 6.2% | 17 | 8.8% | 6.7% | +5 | +2.8pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 12 | 6.3% | 9.6% | 9 | 4.7% | 9.9% | +3 | +1.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 4 | 2.1% | 8.3% | 10 | 5.2% | 8.1% | -6 | -3.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 4 | 2.1% | 7.8% | 23 | 11.9% | 8.1% | -19 | -9.8pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 39 | 20.6% | 12.8% | 27 | 14.0% | 13.5% | +12 | +6.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 13 | 6.9% | 19.9% | 22 | 11.4% | 20.7% | -9 | -4.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 30 | 15.9% | 13.8% | 53 | 27.5% | 14.2% | -23 | -11.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 26 | 13.8% | 11.4% | 21 | 10.9% | 10.1% | +5 | +2.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 26 | 13.8% | 8.6% | 8 | 4.1% | 7.2% | +18 | +9.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 0 | 0.0% | 1.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.4% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 189 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 193 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -4 | 0.0pp |