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, Young workforce (25 to 34) was the most common category among residents in Mount Isa City, accounting for 28.8% (49 people). This share was higher than Mount Isa (C) (17.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 20 people and 9.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Mount Isa City - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Mount Isa City 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 Mount Isa City, with comparison markers for Mount Isa (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
16
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
+6.9pp
16
9.4%
+6.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
6
% of total
3.5%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
6
3.5%
+1.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-4.1pp
0
0.0%
-4.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
37
% of total
21.8%
Change from 2016
+5.5pp
37
21.8%
+5.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
49
% of total
28.8%
Change from 2016
+6.8pp
49
28.8%
+6.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
34
% of total
20.0%
Change from 2016
+9.9pp
34
20.0%
+9.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
14
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
-4.9pp
14
8.2%
-4.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
8
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
+2.5pp
8
4.7%
+2.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
3
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
3
1.8%
+0.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
3
% of total
1.8%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
3
1.8%
+1.6pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+13
+6.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+3
+1.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-5
-4.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+15
+5.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+20
+6.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+20
+9.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-4
-4.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+5
+2.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+1
+0.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+3
+1.6pp
Data table
Service age groups for Mount Isa City. 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) | 16 | 9.4% | 8.3% | 3 | 2.5% | 9.2% | +13 | +6.9pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 6 | 3.5% | 10.9% | 3 | 2.5% | 10.9% | +3 | +1.0pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 0 | 0.0% | 8.3% | 5 | 4.1% | 7.7% | -5 | -4.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 37 | 21.8% | 9.8% | 22 | 16.3% | 9.7% | +15 | +5.5pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 49 | 28.8% | 17.9% | 29 | 22.0% | 18.9% | +20 | +6.8pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 34 | 20.0% | 20.5% | 14 | 10.1% | 20.7% | +20 | +9.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 14 | 8.2% | 11.9% | 18 | 13.1% | 12.2% | -4 | -4.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 8 | 4.7% | 7.2% | 3 | 2.2% | 6.6% | +5 | +2.5pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 3 | 1.8% | 4.8% | 2 | 1.2% | 3.7% | +1 | +0.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 3 | 1.8% | 0.6% | 0 | 0.2% | 0.4% | +3 | +1.6pp |
| Total | 170 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 133 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +37 | 0.0pp |