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 Cootharaba, accounting for 20% (173 people). This share was higher than Noosa (S) (17.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which increased by 32 people and 3.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Cootharaba - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Cootharaba in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Noosa (S) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cootharaba, with comparison markers for Noosa (S).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
19
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
19
2.2%
-2.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
71
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
71
8.2%
-0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
68
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
68
7.9%
-1.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
41
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
41
4.7%
0.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
83
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
+3.5pp
83
9.6%
+3.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
173
% of total
20.0%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
173
20.0%
+2.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
149
% of total
17.2%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
149
17.2%
-1.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
158
% of total
18.2%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
158
18.2%
-1.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
102
% of total
11.8%
Change from 2016
+3.0pp
102
11.8%
+3.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
9
% of total
1.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
9
1.0%
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)
-16
-2.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+1
-0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-8
-1.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+2
0.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+32
+3.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+26
+2.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-7
-1.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-2
-1.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+29
+3.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+1
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Cootharaba. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Noosa (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Noosa (S)% | Count | % | Noosa (S)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 19 | 2.2% | 3.6% | 35 | 4.2% | 4.2% | -16 | -2.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 71 | 8.2% | 7.4% | 70 | 8.4% | 8.2% | +1 | -0.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 68 | 7.9% | 7.5% | 76 | 9.1% | 7.5% | -8 | -1.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 41 | 4.7% | 5.2% | 39 | 4.7% | 5.3% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 83 | 9.6% | 7.3% | 51 | 6.1% | 7.4% | +32 | +3.5pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 173 | 20.0% | 17.7% | 147 | 17.6% | 19.1% | +26 | +2.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 149 | 17.2% | 15.2% | 156 | 18.7% | 16.0% | -7 | -1.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 158 | 18.2% | 16.2% | 160 | 19.2% | 16.4% | -2 | -1.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 102 | 11.8% | 16.9% | 73 | 8.8% | 13.2% | +29 | +3.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 9 | 1.0% | 2.9% | 8 | 1.0% | 2.6% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 866 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 834 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +32 | 0.0pp |