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 East Mackay, accounting for 18.3% (681 people). This share was lower than Mackay (R) (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 81 people and 1.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
East Mackay - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for East Mackay in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for East Mackay, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
180
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
180
4.8%
-0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
313
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
313
8.4%
-0.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
286
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
286
7.7%
+1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
290
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
290
7.8%
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
456
% of total
12.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
456
12.2%
+0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
681
% of total
18.3%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
681
18.3%
-2.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
542
% of total
14.6%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
542
14.6%
+0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
427
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
427
11.5%
+0.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
388
% of total
10.4%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
388
10.4%
+1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
171
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
171
4.6%
-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)
-1
-0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-9
-0.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+52
+1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+6
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+29
+0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-51
-2.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+35
+0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+34
+0.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+81
+1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-8
-0.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for East Mackay. 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) | 180 | 4.8% | 6.2% | 181 | 5.1% | 6.7% | -1 | -0.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 313 | 8.4% | 9.6% | 322 | 9.0% | 9.9% | -9 | -0.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 286 | 7.7% | 8.3% | 234 | 6.6% | 8.1% | +52 | +1.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 290 | 7.8% | 7.8% | 284 | 8.0% | 8.1% | +6 | -0.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 456 | 12.2% | 12.8% | 427 | 12.0% | 13.5% | +29 | +0.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 681 | 18.3% | 19.9% | 732 | 20.5% | 20.7% | -51 | -2.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 542 | 14.6% | 13.8% | 507 | 14.2% | 14.2% | +35 | +0.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 427 | 11.5% | 11.4% | 393 | 11.0% | 10.1% | +34 | +0.5pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 388 | 10.4% | 8.6% | 307 | 8.6% | 7.2% | +81 | +1.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 171 | 4.6% | 1.6% | 179 | 5.0% | 1.4% | -8 | -0.4pp |
| Total | 3,725 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,564 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +161 | 0.0pp |