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 Calen, accounting for 20.1% (86 people). This share was higher than Mackay (R) (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Secondary schoolers (12 to 17), which increased by 20 people and 4.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Calen - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Calen in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Calen, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
16
% of total
3.7%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
16
3.7%
-3.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
54
% of total
12.6%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
54
12.6%
+1.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
45
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
+4.1pp
45
10.5%
+4.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
20
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
20
4.7%
+2.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
15
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
-4.2pp
15
3.5%
-4.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
86
% of total
20.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
86
20.1%
-0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
85
% of total
19.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
85
19.9%
+0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
33
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
33
7.7%
-3.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
60
% of total
14.1%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
60
14.1%
+1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
7
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
7
1.6%
+0.6pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-11
-3.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+12
+1.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+20
+4.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+11
+2.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-15
-4.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+6
-0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+9
+0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-9
-3.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+12
+1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+3
+0.6pp
Data table
Service age groups for Calen. 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) | 16 | 3.7% | 6.2% | 27 | 6.9% | 6.7% | -11 | -3.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 54 | 12.6% | 9.6% | 42 | 10.8% | 9.9% | +12 | +1.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 45 | 10.5% | 8.3% | 25 | 6.4% | 8.1% | +20 | +4.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 20 | 4.7% | 7.8% | 9 | 2.3% | 8.1% | +11 | +2.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 15 | 3.5% | 12.8% | 30 | 7.7% | 13.5% | -15 | -4.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 86 | 20.1% | 19.9% | 80 | 20.5% | 20.7% | +6 | -0.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 85 | 19.9% | 13.8% | 76 | 19.5% | 14.2% | +9 | +0.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 33 | 7.7% | 11.4% | 42 | 10.8% | 10.1% | -9 | -3.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 60 | 14.1% | 8.6% | 48 | 12.3% | 7.2% | +12 | +1.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 7 | 1.6% | 1.6% | 4 | 1.0% | 1.4% | +3 | +0.6pp |
| Total | 427 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 390 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +37 | 0.0pp |