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, Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) was the most common category among residents in Ball Bay, accounting for 23.7% (91 people). This share was higher than Mackay (R) (11.4%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 29 people and 6.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Ball Bay - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Ball Bay in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ball Bay, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
4
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
4
1.0%
-2.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
19
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
19
4.9%
+0.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
14
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
14
3.6%
-2.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
3
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
3
0.8%
-3.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
29
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
29
7.6%
+1.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
59
% of total
15.4%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
59
15.4%
-3.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
74
% of total
19.3%
Change from 2016
-4.3pp
74
19.3%
-4.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
91
% of total
23.7%
Change from 2016
+5.9pp
91
23.7%
+5.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
77
% of total
20.1%
Change from 2016
+6.8pp
77
20.1%
+6.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
0
0.0%
-0.8pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-7
-2.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+4
+0.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-6
-2.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-12
-3.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+7
+1.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-8
-3.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-11
-4.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+27
+5.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+29
+6.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-3
-0.8pp
Data table
Service age groups for Ball Bay. 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) | 4 | 1.0% | 6.2% | 11 | 3.1% | 6.7% | -7 | -2.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 19 | 4.9% | 9.6% | 15 | 4.2% | 9.9% | +4 | +0.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 14 | 3.6% | 8.3% | 20 | 5.6% | 8.1% | -6 | -2.0pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 3 | 0.8% | 7.8% | 15 | 4.2% | 8.1% | -12 | -3.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 29 | 7.6% | 12.8% | 22 | 6.1% | 13.5% | +7 | +1.5pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 59 | 15.4% | 19.9% | 67 | 18.6% | 20.7% | -8 | -3.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 74 | 19.3% | 13.8% | 85 | 23.6% | 14.2% | -11 | -4.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 91 | 23.7% | 11.4% | 64 | 17.8% | 10.1% | +27 | +5.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 77 | 20.1% | 8.6% | 48 | 13.3% | 7.2% | +29 | +6.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 0 | 0.0% | 1.6% | 3 | 0.8% | 1.4% | -3 | -0.8pp |
| Total | 384 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 360 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +24 | 0.0pp |