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 Cotton, accounting for 25.7% (1,878 people). This share was higher than Redland (C) (19.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which decreased by 189 people and 3.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Mount Cotton - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Mount Cotton in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Redland (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mount Cotton, with comparison markers for Redland (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
609
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
609
8.3%
-1.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
944
% of total
12.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
944
12.9%
+0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
676
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
676
9.3%
+1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
479
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
479
6.6%
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
971
% of total
13.3%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
971
13.3%
-3.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,878
% of total
25.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
1,878
25.7%
+0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
900
% of total
12.3%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
900
12.3%
+1.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
517
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
517
7.1%
+1.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
310
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
310
4.2%
+1.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
29
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
29
0.4%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-39
-1.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+68
+0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+117
+1.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-2
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-189
-3.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+146
+0.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+165
+1.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+109
+1.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+88
+1.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+9
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Mount Cotton. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Redland (C).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Redland (C)% | Count | % | Redland (C)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 609 | 8.3% | 5.1% | 648 | 9.5% | 5.5% | -39 | -1.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 944 | 12.9% | 8.6% | 876 | 12.8% | 9.2% | +68 | +0.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 676 | 9.3% | 8.0% | 559 | 8.2% | 8.1% | +117 | +1.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 479 | 6.6% | 7.5% | 481 | 7.0% | 8.1% | -2 | -0.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 971 | 13.3% | 10.1% | 1,160 | 17.0% | 10.7% | -189 | -3.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,878 | 25.7% | 19.1% | 1,732 | 25.3% | 19.7% | +146 | +0.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 900 | 12.3% | 13.8% | 735 | 10.8% | 14.4% | +165 | +1.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 517 | 7.1% | 13.1% | 408 | 6.0% | 12.4% | +109 | +1.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 310 | 4.2% | 12.3% | 222 | 3.2% | 9.6% | +88 | +1.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 29 | 0.4% | 2.4% | 20 | 0.3% | 2.2% | +9 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 7,302 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,835 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +467 | 0.0pp |