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 Sheldon, accounting for 18% (318 people). This share was lower than Redland (C) (19.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 96 people and 5.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Sheldon - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Sheldon in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Redland (C) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sheldon, with comparison markers for Redland (C).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
69
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
69
3.9%
+0.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
111
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
111
6.3%
-2.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
184
% of total
10.4%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
184
10.4%
+0.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
149
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
149
8.5%
-0.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
123
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
123
7.0%
-1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
318
% of total
18.0%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
318
18.0%
-1.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
279
% of total
15.8%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
279
15.8%
-1.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
231
% of total
13.1%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
231
13.1%
-1.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
266
% of total
15.1%
Change from 2016
+5.1pp
266
15.1%
+5.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
28
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
28
1.6%
+1.0pp
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
+0.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-39
-2.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+22
+0.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-4
-0.5pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-13
-1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-19
-1.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-11
-1.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-23
-1.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+96
+5.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+18
+1.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Sheldon. 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) | 69 | 3.9% | 5.1% | 53 | 3.1% | 5.5% | +16 | +0.8pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 111 | 6.3% | 8.6% | 150 | 8.8% | 9.2% | -39 | -2.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 184 | 10.4% | 8.0% | 162 | 9.5% | 8.1% | +22 | +0.9pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 149 | 8.5% | 7.5% | 153 | 9.0% | 8.1% | -4 | -0.5pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 123 | 7.0% | 10.1% | 136 | 8.0% | 10.7% | -13 | -1.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 318 | 18.0% | 19.1% | 337 | 19.8% | 19.7% | -19 | -1.8pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 279 | 15.8% | 13.8% | 290 | 17.0% | 14.4% | -11 | -1.2pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 231 | 13.1% | 13.1% | 254 | 14.9% | 12.4% | -23 | -1.8pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 266 | 15.1% | 12.3% | 170 | 10.0% | 9.6% | +96 | +5.1pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 28 | 1.6% | 2.4% | 10 | 0.6% | 2.2% | +18 | +1.0pp |
| Total | 1,762 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,704 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +58 | 0.0pp |