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, Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) was the most common category among residents in Grasstree Beach, accounting for 18% (129 people). This share was higher than Mackay (R) (13.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 39 people and 4.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Grasstree Beach - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Grasstree Beach in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Grasstree Beach, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
31
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
31
4.3%
+1.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
43
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-3.3pp
43
6.0%
-3.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
41
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
41
5.7%
-0.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
49
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
49
6.8%
+0.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
73
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
73
10.2%
+0.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
122
% of total
17.0%
Change from 2016
-4.9pp
122
17.0%
-4.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
129
% of total
18.0%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
129
18.0%
-2.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
126
% of total
17.6%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
126
17.6%
+1.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
90
% of total
12.6%
Change from 2016
+4.3pp
90
12.6%
+4.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
8
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
8
1.1%
+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)
+9
+1.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-25
-3.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-5
-0.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+3
+0.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+2
+0.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-39
-4.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-21
-2.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+5
+1.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+29
+4.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+4
+0.6pp
Data table
Service age groups for Grasstree Beach. 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) | 31 | 4.3% | 6.2% | 22 | 3.0% | 6.7% | +9 | +1.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 43 | 6.0% | 9.6% | 68 | 9.3% | 9.9% | -25 | -3.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 41 | 5.7% | 8.3% | 46 | 6.2% | 8.1% | -5 | -0.5pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 49 | 6.8% | 7.8% | 46 | 6.3% | 8.1% | +3 | +0.5pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 73 | 10.2% | 12.8% | 71 | 9.7% | 13.5% | +2 | +0.5pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 122 | 17.0% | 19.9% | 161 | 21.9% | 20.7% | -39 | -4.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 129 | 18.0% | 13.8% | 150 | 20.4% | 14.2% | -21 | -2.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 126 | 17.6% | 11.4% | 121 | 16.4% | 10.1% | +5 | +1.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 90 | 12.6% | 8.6% | 61 | 8.3% | 7.2% | +29 | +4.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 8 | 1.1% | 1.6% | 4 | 0.5% | 1.4% | +4 | +0.6pp |
| Total | 717 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 737 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -20 | 0.0pp |