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 Bucasia, accounting for 21.9% (1,074 people). This share was higher than Mackay (R) (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4), which decreased by 114 people and 2.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Bucasia - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Bucasia in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bucasia, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
321
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
321
6.5%
-2.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
590
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
590
12.0%
-0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
484
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
484
9.8%
+0.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
348
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
348
7.1%
-0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
672
% of total
13.7%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
672
13.7%
-0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,074
% of total
21.9%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
1,074
21.9%
-0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
672
% of total
13.7%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
672
13.7%
+0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
455
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
455
9.3%
+2.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
287
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
287
5.8%
+1.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
25
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
25
0.5%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-114
-2.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-14
-0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+61
+0.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-2
-0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-11
-0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-3
-0.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+47
+0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+110
+2.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+95
+1.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+13
+0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Bucasia. 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) | 321 | 6.5% | 6.2% | 435 | 9.2% | 6.7% | -114 | -2.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 590 | 12.0% | 9.6% | 604 | 12.8% | 9.9% | -14 | -0.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 484 | 9.8% | 8.3% | 423 | 8.9% | 8.1% | +61 | +0.9pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 348 | 7.1% | 7.8% | 350 | 7.4% | 8.1% | -2 | -0.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 672 | 13.7% | 12.8% | 683 | 14.5% | 13.5% | -11 | -0.8pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,074 | 21.9% | 19.9% | 1,077 | 22.8% | 20.7% | -3 | -0.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 672 | 13.7% | 13.8% | 625 | 13.2% | 14.2% | +47 | +0.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 455 | 9.3% | 11.4% | 345 | 7.3% | 10.1% | +110 | +2.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 287 | 5.8% | 8.6% | 192 | 4.1% | 7.2% | +95 | +1.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 25 | 0.5% | 1.6% | 12 | 0.3% | 1.4% | +13 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 4,915 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,722 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +193 | 0.0pp |