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 Ooralea, accounting for 21.5% (793 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 694 people, while its share fell by 1.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Ooralea - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Ooralea in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ooralea, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
272
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
272
7.4%
0.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
372
% of total
10.1%
Change from 2016
-2.4pp
372
10.1%
-2.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
249
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
249
6.7%
-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
360
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
+4.0pp
360
9.8%
+4.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
563
% of total
15.3%
Change from 2016
+4.4pp
563
15.3%
+4.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
793
% of total
21.5%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
793
21.5%
-1.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
432
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
432
11.7%
-2.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
361
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
361
9.8%
-3.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
275
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
+4.5pp
275
7.5%
+4.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
39
% of total
1.1%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
39
1.1%
+1.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+240
0.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+318
-2.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+219
-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+335
+4.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+516
+4.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+694
-1.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+371
-2.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+303
-3.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+262
+4.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+39
+1.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Ooralea. 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) | 272 | 7.4% | 6.2% | 32 | 7.4% | 6.7% | +240 | 0.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 372 | 10.1% | 9.6% | 54 | 12.5% | 9.9% | +318 | -2.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 249 | 6.7% | 8.3% | 30 | 7.0% | 8.1% | +219 | -0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 360 | 9.8% | 7.8% | 25 | 5.8% | 8.1% | +335 | +4.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 563 | 15.3% | 12.8% | 47 | 10.9% | 13.5% | +516 | +4.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 793 | 21.5% | 19.9% | 99 | 23.0% | 20.7% | +694 | -1.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 432 | 11.7% | 13.8% | 61 | 14.2% | 14.2% | +371 | -2.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 361 | 9.8% | 11.4% | 58 | 13.5% | 10.1% | +303 | -3.7pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 275 | 7.5% | 8.6% | 13 | 3.0% | 7.2% | +262 | +4.5pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 39 | 1.1% | 1.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.4% | +39 | +1.1pp |
| Total | 3,691 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 431 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,260 | 0.0pp |