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 Mount Isa, accounting for 33.7% (58 people). This share was higher than Mount Isa (C) (20.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 27 people and 7.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Mount Isa - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Mount Isa 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, with comparison markers for Mount Isa (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
20
% of total
11.6%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
20
11.6%
+2.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
29
% of total
16.9%
Change from 2016
+6.7pp
29
16.9%
+6.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
13
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
+7.6pp
13
7.6%
+7.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
8
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
+4.7pp
8
4.7%
+4.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
15
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
15
8.7%
-2.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
58
% of total
33.7%
Change from 2016
+7.4pp
58
33.7%
+7.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
5
% of total
2.9%
Change from 2016
-22.5pp
5
2.9%
-22.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
14
% of total
8.1%
Change from 2016
+8.1pp
14
8.1%
+8.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
0
0.0%
0.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
0
0.0%
0.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+9
+2.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+17
+6.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+13
+7.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+8
+4.7pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+2
-2.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+27
+7.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-25
-22.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+14
+8.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
0
0.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
0
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Mount Isa. 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) | 20 | 11.6% | 8.3% | 11 | 9.3% | 9.2% | +9 | +2.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 29 | 16.9% | 10.9% | 12 | 10.2% | 10.9% | +17 | +6.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 13 | 7.6% | 8.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 7.7% | +13 | +7.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 8 | 4.7% | 9.8% | 0 | 0.0% | 9.7% | +8 | +4.7pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 15 | 8.7% | 17.9% | 13 | 11.0% | 18.9% | +2 | -2.3pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 58 | 33.7% | 20.5% | 31 | 26.3% | 20.7% | +27 | +7.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 5 | 2.9% | 11.9% | 30 | 25.4% | 12.2% | -25 | -22.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 14 | 8.1% | 7.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 6.6% | +14 | +8.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 0 | 0.0% | 4.8% | 0 | 0.0% | 3.7% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 0 | 0.0% | 0.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 0.4% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 172 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 118 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +54 | 0.0pp |