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, Seniors (70 to 84) was the most common category among residents in Ballandean, accounting for 18% (57 people). This share was higher than Southern Downs (R) (15.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 28 people and 9.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Ballandean - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Ballandean in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Southern Downs (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Ballandean, with comparison markers for Southern Downs (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
6
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
6
1.9%
-2.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
19
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
19
6.0%
-3.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
34
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
+2.5pp
34
10.8%
+2.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
9
% of total
2.8%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
9
2.8%
-2.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
21
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
21
6.6%
+0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
45
% of total
14.2%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
45
14.2%
-3.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
56
% of total
17.7%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
56
17.7%
+1.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
43
% of total
13.6%
Change from 2016
-4.4pp
43
13.6%
-4.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
57
% of total
18.0%
Change from 2016
+9.4pp
57
18.0%
+9.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
5
% of total
1.6%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
5
1.6%
+0.7pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-8
-2.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-13
-3.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+6
+2.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-8
-2.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+1
+0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-15
-3.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+2
+1.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-18
-4.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+28
+9.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+2
+0.7pp
Data table
Service age groups for Ballandean. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Southern Downs (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Southern Downs (R)% | Count | % | Southern Downs (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 6 | 1.9% | 4.6% | 14 | 4.1% | 5.7% | -8 | -2.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 19 | 6.0% | 8.4% | 32 | 9.5% | 9.1% | -13 | -3.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 34 | 10.8% | 8.0% | 28 | 8.3% | 8.2% | +6 | +2.5pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 9 | 2.8% | 6.3% | 17 | 5.0% | 6.7% | -8 | -2.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 21 | 6.6% | 9.5% | 20 | 5.9% | 9.0% | +1 | +0.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 45 | 14.2% | 15.5% | 60 | 17.8% | 16.7% | -15 | -3.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 56 | 17.7% | 13.6% | 54 | 16.0% | 14.1% | +2 | +1.7pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 43 | 13.6% | 15.6% | 61 | 18.0% | 14.9% | -18 | -4.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 57 | 18.0% | 15.8% | 29 | 8.6% | 12.9% | +28 | +9.4pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 5 | 1.6% | 2.8% | 3 | 0.9% | 2.6% | +2 | +0.7pp |
| Total | 316 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 338 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -22 | 0.0pp |