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, Seniors (70 to 84) was the most common category among residents in Mount Marshall, accounting for 20.1% (46 people). This share was higher than Southern Downs (R) (15.8%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Primary schoolers (5 to 11), which decreased by 25 people and 10.2 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Mount Marshall - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Mount Marshall 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 Mount Marshall, with comparison markers for Southern Downs (R).

Mount Marshall
Southern Downs (R)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

4

% of total

1.7%

Change from 2016

-3.6pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

6

% of total

2.6%

Change from 2016

-10.2pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

23

% of total

10.0%

Change from 2016

+3.0pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

8

% of total

3.5%

Change from 2016

-5.1pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

8

% of total

3.5%

Change from 2016

-1.0pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

25

% of total

10.9%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

30

% of total

13.1%

Change from 2016

-2.1pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

40

% of total

17.5%

Change from 2016

-1.4pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

46

% of total

20.1%

Change from 2016

+9.4pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

8

% of total

3.5%

Change from 2016

+2.3pp

Data table

Service age groups for Mount Marshall. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Southern Downs (R).

Service age groups for Mount Marshall. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Southern Downs (R).
Service age groups for Mount Marshall. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Southern Downs (R).
Category20212016Change
Count%Southern Downs (R)%Count%Southern Downs (R)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)41.7%4.6%135.3%5.7%-9-3.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)62.6%8.4%3112.8%9.1%-25-10.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)2310.0%8.0%177.0%8.2%+6+3.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)83.5%6.3%218.6%6.7%-13-5.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)83.5%9.5%114.5%9.0%-3-1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)2510.9%15.5%2510.3%16.7%0+0.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)3013.1%13.6%3715.2%14.1%-7-2.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)4017.5%15.6%4618.9%14.9%-6-1.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)4620.1%15.8%2610.7%12.9%+20+9.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)83.5%2.8%31.2%2.6%+5+2.3pp
Total229100.0%100.0%243100.0%100.0%-140.0pp