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 Oakenden, accounting for 19.8% (84 people). This share was similar to Mackay (R) (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which decreased by 28 people and 6.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Oakenden - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Oakenden in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Oakenden, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
26
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
26
6.1%
-1.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
54
% of total
12.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
54
12.7%
+0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
39
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
39
9.2%
+2.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
28
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
28
6.6%
+0.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
19
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-6.4pp
19
4.5%
-6.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
84
% of total
19.8%
Change from 2016
-3.2pp
84
19.8%
-3.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
57
% of total
13.4%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
57
13.4%
-0.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
49
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
49
11.6%
-1.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
32
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
+4.5pp
32
7.5%
+4.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
6
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
6
1.4%
+1.4pp
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
-1.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
0
+0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+9
+2.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+3
+0.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-28
-6.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-15
-3.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-4
-0.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-9
-1.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+19
+4.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+6
+1.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for Oakenden. 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) | 26 | 6.1% | 6.2% | 32 | 7.4% | 6.7% | -6 | -1.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 54 | 12.7% | 9.6% | 54 | 12.5% | 9.9% | 0 | +0.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 39 | 9.2% | 8.3% | 30 | 7.0% | 8.1% | +9 | +2.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 28 | 6.6% | 7.8% | 25 | 5.8% | 8.1% | +3 | +0.8pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 19 | 4.5% | 12.8% | 47 | 10.9% | 13.5% | -28 | -6.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 84 | 19.8% | 19.9% | 99 | 23.0% | 20.7% | -15 | -3.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 57 | 13.4% | 13.8% | 61 | 14.2% | 14.2% | -4 | -0.8pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 49 | 11.6% | 11.4% | 58 | 13.5% | 10.1% | -9 | -1.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 32 | 7.5% | 8.6% | 13 | 3.0% | 7.2% | +19 | +4.5pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 6 | 1.4% | 1.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.4% | +6 | +1.4pp |
| Total | 424 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 431 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -7 | 0.0pp |