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 Shoal Point, accounting for 22.1% (244 people). This share was higher than Mackay (R) (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69), which increased by 44 people and 2.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Shoal Point - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Shoal Point in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Shoal Point, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
58
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
58
5.3%
+0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
121
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
121
11.0%
-0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
87
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
87
7.9%
-2.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
69
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
69
6.3%
+1.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
105
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
105
9.5%
+0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
244
% of total
22.1%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
244
22.1%
-2.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
211
% of total
19.1%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
211
19.1%
-0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
145
% of total
13.1%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
145
13.1%
+2.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
73
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
73
6.6%
+0.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
7
% of total
0.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
7
0.6%
+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)
+9
+0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+6
-0.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-19
-2.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+20
+1.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+20
+0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+6
-2.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+18
-0.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+44
+2.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+15
+0.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+4
+0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Shoal Point. 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) | 58 | 5.3% | 6.2% | 49 | 5.0% | 6.7% | +9 | +0.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 121 | 11.0% | 9.6% | 115 | 11.8% | 9.9% | +6 | -0.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 87 | 7.9% | 8.3% | 106 | 10.8% | 8.1% | -19 | -2.9pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 69 | 6.3% | 7.8% | 49 | 5.0% | 8.1% | +20 | +1.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 105 | 9.5% | 12.8% | 85 | 8.7% | 13.5% | +20 | +0.8pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 244 | 22.1% | 19.9% | 238 | 24.4% | 20.7% | +6 | -2.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 211 | 19.1% | 13.8% | 193 | 19.8% | 14.2% | +18 | -0.7pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 145 | 13.1% | 11.4% | 101 | 10.3% | 10.1% | +44 | +2.8pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 73 | 6.6% | 8.6% | 58 | 5.9% | 7.2% | +15 | +0.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 7 | 0.6% | 1.6% | 3 | 0.3% | 1.4% | +4 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 1,104 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 977 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +127 | 0.0pp |