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.

Key insight

In 2021, Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) was the most common category among residents in Devereux Creek, accounting for 25.4% (103 people). This share was higher than Mackay (R) (13.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Secondary schoolers (12 to 17), which decreased by 30 people and 8.2 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Devereux Creek - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Devereux Creek in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Devereux Creek, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).

Devereux Creek
Mackay (R)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

15

% of total

3.7%

Change from 2016

+1.1pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

28

% of total

6.9%

Change from 2016

+1.1pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

20

% of total

4.9%

Change from 2016

-8.2pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

36

% of total

8.9%

Change from 2016

-1.6pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

41

% of total

10.1%

Change from 2016

+2.2pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

61

% of total

15.0%

Change from 2016

-7.3pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

103

% of total

25.4%

Change from 2016

+4.1pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

61

% of total

15.0%

Change from 2016

+5.6pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

24

% of total

5.9%

Change from 2016

+0.7pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

3

% of total

0.7%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Data table

Service age groups for Devereux Creek. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mackay (R).

Service age groups for Devereux Creek. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mackay (R).
Service age groups for Devereux Creek. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mackay (R).
Category20212016Change
Count%Mackay (R)%Count%Mackay (R)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)153.7%6.2%102.6%6.7%+5+1.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)286.9%9.6%225.8%9.9%+6+1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)204.9%8.3%5013.1%8.1%-30-8.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)368.9%7.8%4010.5%8.1%-4-1.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)4110.1%12.8%307.9%13.5%+11+2.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)6115.0%19.9%8522.3%20.7%-24-7.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)10325.4%13.8%8121.3%14.2%+22+4.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)6115.0%11.4%369.4%10.1%+25+5.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)245.9%8.6%205.2%7.2%+4+0.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)30.7%1.6%30.8%1.4%0-0.1pp
Total406100.0%100.0%381100.0%100.0%+250.0pp