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 Mackay, accounting for 20.5% (824 people). This share was higher than Mackay (R) (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24), which increased by 115 people and 2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Mackay - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for 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 Mackay, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
154
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
154
3.8%
-1.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
242
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
242
6.0%
-0.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
195
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
195
4.8%
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
478
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
478
11.9%
+2.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
761
% of total
18.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
761
18.9%
+0.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
824
% of total
20.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
824
20.5%
0.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
575
% of total
14.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
575
14.3%
-0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
459
% of total
11.4%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
459
11.4%
+0.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
283
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
283
7.0%
-0.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
66
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
66
1.6%
0.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-45
-1.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-9
-0.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+14
-0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+115
+2.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+88
+0.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+74
0.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+37
-0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+67
+0.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+24
-0.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+8
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for 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) | 154 | 3.8% | 6.2% | 199 | 5.4% | 6.7% | -45 | -1.6pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 242 | 6.0% | 9.6% | 251 | 6.9% | 9.9% | -9 | -0.9pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 195 | 4.8% | 8.3% | 181 | 4.9% | 8.1% | +14 | -0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 478 | 11.9% | 7.8% | 363 | 9.9% | 8.1% | +115 | +2.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 761 | 18.9% | 12.8% | 673 | 18.4% | 13.5% | +88 | +0.5pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 824 | 20.5% | 19.9% | 750 | 20.5% | 20.7% | +74 | 0.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 575 | 14.3% | 13.8% | 538 | 14.7% | 14.2% | +37 | -0.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 459 | 11.4% | 11.4% | 392 | 10.7% | 10.1% | +67 | +0.7pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 283 | 7.0% | 8.6% | 259 | 7.1% | 7.2% | +24 | -0.1pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 66 | 1.6% | 1.6% | 58 | 1.6% | 1.4% | +8 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 4,026 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,659 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +367 | 0.0pp |