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 Alligator Creek (Mackay - Qld), accounting for 20.4% (183 people). This share was higher than Mackay (R) (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69), which increased by 30 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Alligator Creek (Mackay - Qld) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Alligator Creek (Mackay - 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 Alligator Creek (Mackay - Qld), with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
69
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
69
7.7%
+2.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
95
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
95
10.6%
-1.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
78
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
78
8.7%
-1.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
54
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
54
6.0%
+0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
114
% of total
12.7%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
114
12.7%
+0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
183
% of total
20.4%
Change from 2016
-4.6pp
183
20.4%
-4.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
133
% of total
14.8%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
133
14.8%
-1.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
107
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
107
11.9%
+2.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
49
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
49
5.5%
-0.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
4
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
4
0.4%
-0.4pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+27
+2.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+3
-1.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-1
-1.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+10
+0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+18
+0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-15
-4.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+3
-1.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+30
+2.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+4
-0.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-2
-0.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for Alligator Creek (Mackay - 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) | 69 | 7.7% | 6.2% | 42 | 5.3% | 6.7% | +27 | +2.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 95 | 10.6% | 9.6% | 92 | 11.6% | 9.9% | +3 | -1.0pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 78 | 8.7% | 8.3% | 79 | 10.0% | 8.1% | -1 | -1.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 54 | 6.0% | 7.8% | 44 | 5.6% | 8.1% | +10 | +0.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 114 | 12.7% | 12.8% | 96 | 12.1% | 13.5% | +18 | +0.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 183 | 20.4% | 19.9% | 198 | 25.0% | 20.7% | -15 | -4.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 133 | 14.8% | 13.8% | 130 | 16.4% | 14.2% | +3 | -1.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 107 | 11.9% | 11.4% | 77 | 9.7% | 10.1% | +30 | +2.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 49 | 5.5% | 8.6% | 45 | 5.7% | 7.2% | +4 | -0.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 4 | 0.4% | 1.6% | 6 | 0.8% | 1.4% | -2 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 897 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 791 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +106 | 0.0pp |