Population
Service age groups
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.
Related topics
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.
Key insight
In 2021, Early career adults (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 Mid-life adults (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.
This area boundary has changed from 2016 to 2021. As a result, 2016 values are mapped onto 2021 suburb boundaries using ABS concordance.
Boundary change is material, so 2016 change figures should be read as approximate.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mount Isa City, with comparison markers for Mount Isa (C).
Early childhood (0 to 4)
Primary school age (5 to 11)
Secondary school age (12 to 17)
Young adults (18 to 24)
Early career adults (25 to 34)
Mid-life adults (35 to 49)
Pre-retirement adults (50 to 59)
Retirement transition (60 to 69)
Established seniors (70 to 84)
Advanced age (85 years and over)
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Early childhood (0 to 4)
+13
+6.9pp
Primary school age (5 to 11)
+3
+1.0pp
Secondary school age (12 to 17)
-5
-4.1pp
Young adults (18 to 24)
+15
+5.5pp
Early career adults (25 to 34)
+20
+6.8pp
Mid-life adults (35 to 49)
+20
+9.9pp
Pre-retirement adults (50 to 59)
-4
-4.9pp
Retirement transition (60 to 69)
+5
+2.5pp
Established seniors (70 to 84)
+1
+0.6pp
Advanced age (85 years 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 | |
| Early childhood (0 to 4) | 16 | 9.4% | 8.3% | 3 | 2.5% | 9.2% | +13 | +6.9pp |
| Primary school age (5 to 11) | 6 | 3.5% | 10.9% | 3 | 2.5% | 10.9% | +3 | +1.0pp |
| Secondary school age (12 to 17) | 0 | 0.0% | 8.3% | 5 | 4.1% | 7.7% | -5 | -4.1pp |
| Young adults (18 to 24) | 37 | 21.8% | 9.8% | 22 | 16.3% | 9.7% | +15 | +5.5pp |
| Early career adults (25 to 34) | 49 | 28.8% | 17.9% | 29 | 22.0% | 18.9% | +20 | +6.8pp |
| Mid-life adults (35 to 49) | 34 | 20.0% | 20.5% | 14 | 10.1% | 20.7% | +20 | +9.9pp |
| Pre-retirement adults (50 to 59) | 14 | 8.2% | 11.9% | 18 | 13.1% | 12.2% | -4 | -4.9pp |
| Retirement transition (60 to 69) | 8 | 4.7% | 7.2% | 3 | 2.2% | 6.6% | +5 | +2.5pp |
| Established seniors (70 to 84) | 3 | 1.8% | 4.8% | 2 | 1.2% | 3.7% | +1 | +0.6pp |
| Advanced age (85 years 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 |