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 Breakaway, accounting for 20.9% (39 people). This share was higher than Mount Isa (C) (20.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Secondary schoolers (12 to 17), which decreased by 30 people and 14.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Breakaway - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Breakaway in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Mount Isa (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Breakaway, with comparison markers for Mount Isa (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
Young workforce (25 to 34)
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
Seniors (70 to 84)
Elderly aged (85 and over)
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+2
+1.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+5
+3.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-30
-14.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+16
+9.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-1
0.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-23
-10.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-10
-4.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-7
-3.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+5
+2.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
0
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Breakaway. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Mount Isa (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Mount Isa (C)% | Count | % | Mount Isa (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 11 | 5.9% | 8.3% | 9 | 4.5% | 9.2% | +2 | +1.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 22 | 11.8% | 10.9% | 17 | 8.5% | 10.9% | +5 | +3.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 9 | 4.8% | 8.3% | 39 | 19.6% | 7.7% | -30 | -14.8pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 30 | 16.0% | 9.8% | 14 | 7.0% | 9.7% | +16 | +9.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 15 | 8.0% | 17.9% | 16 | 8.0% | 18.9% | -1 | 0.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 39 | 20.9% | 20.5% | 62 | 31.2% | 20.7% | -23 | -10.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 16 | 8.6% | 11.9% | 26 | 13.1% | 12.2% | -10 | -4.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 12 | 6.4% | 7.2% | 19 | 9.5% | 6.6% | -7 | -3.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 8 | 4.3% | 4.8% | 3 | 1.5% | 3.7% | +5 | +2.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 0.4% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 187 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 199 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -12 | 0.0pp |