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 Sunshine Beach, accounting for 18.1% (448 people). This share was higher than Noosa (S) (17.7%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 133 people and 5.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Sunshine Beach - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Sunshine Beach in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Noosa (S) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sunshine Beach, with comparison markers for Noosa (S).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
90
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
90
3.6%
+0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
155
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
155
6.3%
-2.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
164
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
164
6.6%
-1.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
129
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
129
5.2%
0.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
267
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
267
10.8%
-0.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
448
% of total
18.1%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
448
18.1%
-1.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
415
% of total
16.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
415
16.7%
-0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
423
% of total
17.1%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
423
17.1%
+1.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
370
% of total
14.9%
Change from 2016
+5.3pp
370
14.9%
+5.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
34
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
34
1.4%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+7
+0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-53
-2.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-22
-1.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+1
0.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-2
-0.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-33
-1.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-8
-0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+35
+1.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+133
+5.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+9
+0.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for Sunshine Beach. 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) | 90 | 3.6% | 3.6% | 83 | 3.4% | 4.2% | +7 | +0.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 155 | 6.3% | 7.4% | 208 | 8.5% | 8.2% | -53 | -2.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 164 | 6.6% | 7.5% | 186 | 7.6% | 7.5% | -22 | -1.0pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 129 | 5.2% | 5.2% | 128 | 5.2% | 5.3% | +1 | 0.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 267 | 10.8% | 7.3% | 269 | 10.9% | 7.4% | -2 | -0.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 448 | 18.1% | 17.7% | 481 | 19.6% | 19.1% | -33 | -1.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 415 | 16.7% | 15.2% | 423 | 17.2% | 16.0% | -8 | -0.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 423 | 17.1% | 16.2% | 388 | 15.8% | 16.4% | +35 | +1.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 370 | 14.9% | 16.9% | 237 | 9.6% | 13.2% | +133 | +5.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 34 | 1.4% | 2.9% | 25 | 1.0% | 2.6% | +9 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 2,480 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,460 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +20 | 0.0pp |