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 Walkerston, accounting for 17.9% (648 people). This share was lower than Mackay (R) (19.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 62 people and 1.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Walkerston - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Walkerston in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mackay (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Walkerston, with comparison markers for Mackay (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
286
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
286
7.9%
+0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
365
% of total
10.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
365
10.1%
+0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
283
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
283
7.8%
-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
310
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
310
8.6%
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
531
% of total
14.7%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
531
14.7%
-0.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
648
% of total
17.9%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
648
17.9%
-2.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
510
% of total
14.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
510
14.1%
+0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
342
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
342
9.5%
-0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
273
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
273
7.6%
+1.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
48
% of total
1.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
48
1.3%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+30
+0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+27
+0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+9
-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+10
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
0
-0.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-40
-2.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+48
+0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+15
-0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+62
+1.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+17
+0.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for Walkerston. 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) | 286 | 7.9% | 6.2% | 256 | 7.5% | 6.7% | +30 | +0.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 365 | 10.1% | 9.6% | 338 | 9.9% | 9.9% | +27 | +0.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 283 | 7.8% | 8.3% | 274 | 8.1% | 8.1% | +9 | -0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 310 | 8.6% | 7.8% | 300 | 8.8% | 8.1% | +10 | -0.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 531 | 14.7% | 12.8% | 531 | 15.6% | 13.5% | 0 | -0.9pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 648 | 17.9% | 19.9% | 688 | 20.2% | 20.7% | -40 | -2.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 510 | 14.1% | 13.8% | 462 | 13.6% | 14.2% | +48 | +0.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 342 | 9.5% | 11.4% | 327 | 9.6% | 10.1% | +15 | -0.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 273 | 7.6% | 8.6% | 211 | 6.2% | 7.2% | +62 | +1.4pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 48 | 1.3% | 1.6% | 31 | 0.9% | 1.4% | +17 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 3,615 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,403 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +212 | 0.0pp |