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 Glenella, accounting for 23.2% (1,053 people). This share was higher than Mackay (R) (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69), which increased by 127 people and 2.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Glenella - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Glenella in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Glenella, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
260
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
260
5.7%
-0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
456
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
456
10.0%
-1.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
488
% of total
10.7%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
488
10.7%
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
350
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
350
7.7%
+0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
408
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
408
9.0%
-2.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,053
% of total
23.2%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
1,053
23.2%
-1.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
689
% of total
15.2%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
689
15.2%
+0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
482
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
482
10.6%
+2.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
316
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
316
7.0%
+1.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
68
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
68
1.5%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-13
-0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-39
-1.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+10
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+18
+0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-94
-2.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-50
-1.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+25
+0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+127
+2.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+46
+1.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+5
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Glenella. 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) | 260 | 5.7% | 6.2% | 273 | 6.0% | 6.7% | -13 | -0.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 456 | 10.0% | 9.6% | 495 | 11.0% | 9.9% | -39 | -1.0pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 488 | 10.7% | 8.3% | 478 | 10.6% | 8.1% | +10 | +0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 350 | 7.7% | 7.8% | 332 | 7.3% | 8.1% | +18 | +0.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 408 | 9.0% | 12.8% | 502 | 11.1% | 13.5% | -94 | -2.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,053 | 23.2% | 19.9% | 1,103 | 24.4% | 20.7% | -50 | -1.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 689 | 15.2% | 13.8% | 664 | 14.7% | 14.2% | +25 | +0.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 482 | 10.6% | 11.4% | 355 | 7.9% | 10.1% | +127 | +2.7pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 316 | 7.0% | 8.6% | 270 | 6.0% | 7.2% | +46 | +1.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 68 | 1.5% | 1.6% | 63 | 1.4% | 1.4% | +5 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 4,545 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,519 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +26 | 0.0pp |