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, Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) was the most common category among residents in The Leap, accounting for 21.5% (143 people). This share was higher than Mackay (R) (13.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69), which increased by 63 people and 9.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
The Leap - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for The Leap in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for The Leap, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
48
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
48
7.2%
+1.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
48
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
48
7.2%
+0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
48
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
48
7.2%
-0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
35
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
35
5.3%
-0.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
46
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
46
6.9%
-0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
129
% of total
19.4%
Change from 2016
-5.2pp
129
19.4%
-5.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
143
% of total
21.5%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
143
21.5%
-1.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
134
% of total
20.2%
Change from 2016
+9.1pp
134
20.2%
+9.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
40
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
40
6.0%
+1.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
9
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
9
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)
+14
+1.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+3
+0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-2
-0.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-2
-0.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-3
-0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-29
-5.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-5
-1.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+63
+9.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+8
+1.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+9
+1.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for The Leap. 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) | 48 | 7.2% | 6.2% | 34 | 5.3% | 6.7% | +14 | +1.9pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 48 | 7.2% | 9.6% | 45 | 7.0% | 9.9% | +3 | +0.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 48 | 7.2% | 8.3% | 50 | 7.8% | 8.1% | -2 | -0.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 35 | 5.3% | 7.8% | 37 | 5.8% | 8.1% | -2 | -0.5pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 46 | 6.9% | 12.8% | 49 | 7.6% | 13.5% | -3 | -0.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 129 | 19.4% | 19.9% | 158 | 24.6% | 20.7% | -29 | -5.2pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 143 | 21.5% | 13.8% | 148 | 23.1% | 14.2% | -5 | -1.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 134 | 20.2% | 11.4% | 71 | 11.1% | 10.1% | +63 | +9.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 40 | 6.0% | 8.6% | 32 | 5.0% | 7.2% | +8 | +1.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 9 | 1.4% | 1.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.4% | +9 | +1.4pp |
| Total | 664 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 642 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +22 | 0.0pp |