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, Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) was the most common category among residents in The Summit, accounting for 18.1% (79 people). This share was higher than Southern Downs (R) (15.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 19 people and 3.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
The Summit - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for The Summit 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 The Summit, with comparison markers for Southern Downs (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
23
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
23
5.3%
+0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
40
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
+2.4pp
40
9.2%
+2.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
25
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
25
5.7%
-1.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
19
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
19
4.4%
-1.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
29
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
29
6.7%
-1.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
69
% of total
15.8%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
69
15.8%
-1.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
78
% of total
17.9%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
78
17.9%
+0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
79
% of total
18.1%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
79
18.1%
+1.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
72
% of total
16.5%
Change from 2016
+3.5pp
72
16.5%
+3.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
3
% of total
0.7%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
3
0.7%
0.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+3
+0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+12
+2.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-5
-1.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-4
-1.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-5
-1.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-3
-1.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+7
+0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+9
+1.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+19
+3.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
0
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for The Summit. 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) | 23 | 5.3% | 4.6% | 20 | 4.9% | 5.7% | +3 | +0.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 40 | 9.2% | 8.4% | 28 | 6.8% | 9.1% | +12 | +2.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 25 | 5.7% | 8.0% | 30 | 7.3% | 8.2% | -5 | -1.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 19 | 4.4% | 6.3% | 23 | 5.6% | 6.7% | -4 | -1.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 29 | 6.7% | 9.5% | 34 | 8.3% | 9.0% | -5 | -1.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 69 | 15.8% | 15.5% | 72 | 17.6% | 16.7% | -3 | -1.8pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 78 | 17.9% | 13.6% | 71 | 17.4% | 14.1% | +7 | +0.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 79 | 18.1% | 15.6% | 70 | 17.1% | 14.9% | +9 | +1.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 72 | 16.5% | 15.8% | 53 | 13.0% | 12.9% | +19 | +3.5pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 3 | 0.7% | 2.8% | 3 | 0.7% | 2.6% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 436 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 409 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +27 | 0.0pp |