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 Wallangarra, accounting for 24.8% (109 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 35 people and 8.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Wallangarra - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Wallangarra 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 Wallangarra, with comparison markers for Southern Downs (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
15
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
15
3.4%
-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
31
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
31
7.0%
-2.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
23
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
23
5.2%
-2.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
15
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
15
3.4%
-1.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
23
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-4.2pp
23
5.2%
-4.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
70
% of total
15.9%
Change from 2016
+4.8pp
70
15.9%
+4.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
74
% of total
16.8%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
74
16.8%
-3.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
109
% of total
24.8%
Change from 2016
+5.1pp
109
24.8%
+5.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
67
% of total
15.2%
Change from 2016
+8.4pp
67
15.2%
+8.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
9
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
9
2.0%
+0.5pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-4
-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-14
-2.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-15
-2.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-7
-1.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-21
-4.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+18
+4.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-19
-3.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+17
+5.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+35
+8.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+2
+0.5pp
Data table
Service age groups for Wallangarra. 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) | 15 | 3.4% | 4.6% | 19 | 4.1% | 5.7% | -4 | -0.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 31 | 7.0% | 8.4% | 45 | 9.6% | 9.1% | -14 | -2.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 23 | 5.2% | 8.0% | 38 | 8.1% | 8.2% | -15 | -2.9pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 15 | 3.4% | 6.3% | 22 | 4.7% | 6.7% | -7 | -1.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 23 | 5.2% | 9.5% | 44 | 9.4% | 9.0% | -21 | -4.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 70 | 15.9% | 15.5% | 52 | 11.1% | 16.7% | +18 | +4.8pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 74 | 16.8% | 13.6% | 93 | 19.9% | 14.1% | -19 | -3.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 109 | 24.8% | 15.6% | 92 | 19.7% | 14.9% | +17 | +5.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 67 | 15.2% | 15.8% | 32 | 6.8% | 12.9% | +35 | +8.4pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 9 | 2.0% | 2.8% | 7 | 1.5% | 2.6% | +2 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 440 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 468 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -28 | 0.0pp |