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 Moreton Bay (R), accounting for 19.9% (94,826 people). This share was lower than Greater Brisbane (21%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 14,880 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Moreton Bay (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Moreton Bay (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Brisbane and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Moreton Bay (R), with comparison markers for Greater Brisbane.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
28,368
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
28,368
6.0%
-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
45,661
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
45,661
9.6%
-0.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
39,113
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
39,113
8.2%
+0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
38,589
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
38,589
8.1%
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
58,519
% of total
12.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
58,519
12.3%
+0.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
94,826
% of total
19.9%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
94,826
19.9%
-0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
60,099
% of total
12.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
60,099
12.6%
+0.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
51,990
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
51,990
10.9%
-0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
50,667
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
50,667
10.6%
+2.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
8,504
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
8,504
1.8%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-49
-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+1,978
-0.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+5,055
+0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+2,320
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+6,507
+0.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+7,112
-0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+6,770
+0.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+5,291
-0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+14,880
+2.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+1,140
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Moreton Bay (R). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Brisbane.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Brisbane% | Count | % | Greater Brisbane% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 28,368 | 6.0% | 6.0% | 28,417 | 6.7% | 6.5% | -49 | -0.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 45,661 | 9.6% | 9.2% | 43,683 | 10.3% | 9.4% | +1,978 | -0.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 39,113 | 8.2% | 7.7% | 34,058 | 8.0% | 7.4% | +5,055 | +0.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 38,589 | 8.1% | 9.4% | 36,269 | 8.5% | 10.2% | +2,320 | -0.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 58,519 | 12.3% | 14.8% | 52,012 | 12.2% | 15.1% | +6,507 | +0.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 94,826 | 19.9% | 21.0% | 87,714 | 20.6% | 20.9% | +7,112 | -0.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 60,099 | 12.6% | 12.0% | 53,329 | 12.5% | 12.1% | +6,770 | +0.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 51,990 | 10.9% | 9.6% | 46,699 | 11.0% | 9.6% | +5,291 | -0.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 50,667 | 10.6% | 8.6% | 35,787 | 8.4% | 7.2% | +14,880 | +2.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 8,504 | 1.8% | 1.7% | 7,364 | 1.7% | 1.7% | +1,140 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 476,340 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 425,302 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +51,038 | 0.0pp |