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 Pleasant (Mackay - Qld), accounting for 19% (893 people). This share was lower than Mackay (R) (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 151 people and 2.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Mount Pleasant (Mackay - Qld) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Mount Pleasant (Mackay - Qld) 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 Pleasant (Mackay - Qld), with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
252
% of total
5.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
252
5.4%
-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
442
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
442
9.4%
+0.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
366
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
366
7.8%
+0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
306
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
306
6.5%
-1.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
582
% of total
12.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
582
12.4%
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
893
% of total
19.0%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
893
19.0%
+1.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
506
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
506
10.8%
-2.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
512
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
512
10.9%
-0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
717
% of total
15.3%
Change from 2016
+2.6pp
717
15.3%
+2.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
123
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
123
2.6%
-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)
+4
-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+65
+0.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+48
+0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-66
-1.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+33
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+104
+1.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-76
-2.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-14
-0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+151
+2.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+1
-0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Mount Pleasant (Mackay - Qld). 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) | 252 | 5.4% | 6.2% | 248 | 5.6% | 6.7% | +4 | -0.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 442 | 9.4% | 9.6% | 377 | 8.5% | 9.9% | +65 | +0.9pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 366 | 7.8% | 8.3% | 318 | 7.2% | 8.1% | +48 | +0.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 306 | 6.5% | 7.8% | 372 | 8.4% | 8.1% | -66 | -1.9pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 582 | 12.4% | 12.8% | 549 | 12.4% | 13.5% | +33 | 0.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 893 | 19.0% | 19.9% | 789 | 17.8% | 20.7% | +104 | +1.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 506 | 10.8% | 13.8% | 582 | 13.1% | 14.2% | -76 | -2.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 512 | 10.9% | 11.4% | 526 | 11.8% | 10.1% | -14 | -0.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 717 | 15.3% | 8.6% | 566 | 12.7% | 7.2% | +151 | +2.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 123 | 2.6% | 1.6% | 122 | 2.7% | 1.4% | +1 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 4,694 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,444 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +250 | 0.0pp |