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 Marian, accounting for 23% (970 people). This share was higher than Mackay (R) (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 951 people and 1.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Marian - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Marian in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Marian, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
336
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
+8.0pp
336
8.0%
+8.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
584
% of total
13.8%
Change from 2016
+3.8pp
584
13.8%
+3.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
390
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
+4.8pp
390
9.2%
+4.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
319
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
+7.6pp
319
7.6%
+7.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
630
% of total
14.9%
Change from 2016
+11.6pp
630
14.9%
+11.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
970
% of total
23.0%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
970
23.0%
+1.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
479
% of total
11.3%
Change from 2016
-18.7pp
479
11.3%
-18.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
323
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
323
7.6%
-1.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
173
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
173
4.1%
+0.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
14
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
14
0.3%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+336
+8.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+575
+3.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+386
+4.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+319
+7.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+627
+11.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+951
+1.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+452
-18.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+315
-1.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+170
+0.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+14
+0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Marian. 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) | 336 | 8.0% | 6.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 6.7% | +336 | +8.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 584 | 13.8% | 9.6% | 9 | 10.0% | 9.9% | +575 | +3.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 390 | 9.2% | 8.3% | 4 | 4.4% | 8.1% | +386 | +4.8pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 319 | 7.6% | 7.8% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.1% | +319 | +7.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 630 | 14.9% | 12.8% | 3 | 3.3% | 13.5% | +627 | +11.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 970 | 23.0% | 19.9% | 19 | 21.1% | 20.7% | +951 | +1.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 479 | 11.3% | 13.8% | 27 | 30.0% | 14.2% | +452 | -18.7pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 323 | 7.6% | 11.4% | 8 | 8.9% | 10.1% | +315 | -1.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 173 | 4.1% | 8.6% | 3 | 3.3% | 7.2% | +170 | +0.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 14 | 0.3% | 1.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.4% | +14 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 4,224 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 90 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,134 | 0.0pp |