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, Primary schoolers (5 to 11) was the most common category among residents in Palm Island (S), accounting for 16.7% (350 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (8.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 110 people and 2.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Palm Island (S) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Palm Island (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Palm Island (S), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
Young workforce (25 to 34)
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
Seniors (70 to 84)
Elderly aged (85 and over)
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-106
-2.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-2
+2.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-51
-0.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-65
-0.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-28
+1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-110
-2.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+3
+1.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+15
+1.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+19
+1.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
0
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Palm Island (S). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 212 | 10.1% | 5.4% | 318 | 13.0% | 6.1% | -106 | -2.9pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 350 | 16.7% | 8.9% | 352 | 14.4% | 9.4% | -2 | +2.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 194 | 9.2% | 7.8% | 245 | 10.0% | 7.7% | -51 | -0.8pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 253 | 12.1% | 7.9% | 318 | 13.0% | 8.3% | -65 | -0.9pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 316 | 15.1% | 12.4% | 344 | 14.1% | 12.4% | -28 | +1.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 334 | 15.9% | 19.0% | 444 | 18.2% | 19.6% | -110 | -2.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 258 | 12.3% | 13.2% | 255 | 10.4% | 13.4% | +3 | +1.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 151 | 7.2% | 12.2% | 136 | 5.6% | 11.7% | +15 | +1.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 51 | 2.4% | 11.3% | 32 | 1.3% | 9.4% | +19 | +1.1pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 0 | 0.0% | 2.1% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.9% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 2,098 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,446 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -348 | 0.0pp |