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 Mount Ossa, accounting for 16% (40 people). This share was lower than Mackay (R) (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 21 people and 7.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Mount Ossa - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Mount Ossa in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mount Ossa, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
19
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
19
7.6%
+1.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
25
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
25
10.0%
+1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
10
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
10
4.0%
-3.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
13
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
13
5.2%
-1.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
21
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
21
8.4%
-1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
40
% of total
16.0%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
40
16.0%
-2.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
35
% of total
14.0%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
35
14.0%
+1.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
34
% of total
13.6%
Change from 2016
-7.4pp
34
13.6%
-7.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
34
% of total
13.6%
Change from 2016
+7.8pp
34
13.6%
+7.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
0
0.0%
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)
+6
+1.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+5
+1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-6
-3.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-2
-1.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
0
-1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-2
-2.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+6
+1.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-13
-7.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+21
+7.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
0
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Mount Ossa. 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) | 19 | 7.6% | 6.2% | 13 | 5.8% | 6.7% | +6 | +1.8pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 25 | 10.0% | 9.6% | 20 | 8.9% | 9.9% | +5 | +1.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 10 | 4.0% | 8.3% | 16 | 7.1% | 8.1% | -6 | -3.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 13 | 5.2% | 7.8% | 15 | 6.7% | 8.1% | -2 | -1.5pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 21 | 8.4% | 12.8% | 21 | 9.4% | 13.5% | 0 | -1.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 40 | 16.0% | 19.9% | 42 | 18.8% | 20.7% | -2 | -2.8pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 35 | 14.0% | 13.8% | 29 | 12.9% | 14.2% | +6 | +1.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 34 | 13.6% | 11.4% | 47 | 21.0% | 10.1% | -13 | -7.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 34 | 13.6% | 8.6% | 13 | 5.8% | 7.2% | +21 | +7.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 0 | 0.0% | 1.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.4% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 250 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 224 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +26 | 0.0pp |