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.

Key insight

In 2021, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in Scenic Rim (R), accounting for 18.4% (7,925 people). This share was lower than Greater Brisbane (21%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 1,273 people and 2.2 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Scenic Rim (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Scenic Rim (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Brisbane and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Scenic Rim (R), with comparison markers for Greater Brisbane.

Scenic Rim (R)
Greater Brisbane

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

2,071

% of total

4.8%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

3,639

% of total

8.5%

Change from 2016

-1.3pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

3,533

% of total

8.2%

Change from 2016

+0.2pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

2,652

% of total

6.2%

Change from 2016

-0.4pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

3,875

% of total

9.0%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

7,925

% of total

18.4%

Change from 2016

-1.2pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

6,362

% of total

14.8%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

6,212

% of total

14.5%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

5,766

% of total

13.4%

Change from 2016

+2.2pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

972

% of total

2.3%

Change from 2016

+0.3pp

Data table

Service age groups for Scenic Rim (R). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Brisbane.

Service age groups for Scenic Rim (R). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Brisbane.
Service age groups for Scenic Rim (R). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Brisbane.
Category20212016Change
Count%Greater Brisbane%Count%Greater Brisbane%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)2,0714.8%6.0%2,0225.0%6.5%+49-0.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)3,6398.5%9.2%3,9379.8%9.4%-298-1.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)3,5338.2%7.7%3,2118.0%7.4%+322+0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)2,6526.2%9.4%2,6276.6%10.2%+25-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)3,8759.0%14.8%3,4968.7%15.1%+379+0.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)7,92518.4%21.0%7,87019.6%20.9%+55-1.2pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)6,36214.8%12.0%5,98914.9%12.1%+373-0.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)6,21214.5%9.6%5,63014.0%9.6%+582+0.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)5,76613.4%8.6%4,49311.2%7.2%+1,273+2.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)9722.3%1.7%8042.0%1.7%+168+0.3pp
Total42,984100.0%100.0%40,072100.0%100.0%+2,9120.0pp