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, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in Sunshine Coast (R), accounting for 19.1% (65,378 people). This share was similar to Regional Qld (19%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 10,937 people and 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Sunshine Coast (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Sunshine Coast (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sunshine Coast (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
16,930
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
16,930
4.9%
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
29,182
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
29,182
8.5%
-0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
25,998
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
25,998
7.6%
0.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
24,769
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
24,769
7.2%
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
37,803
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
37,803
11.0%
+0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
65,378
% of total
19.1%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
65,378
19.1%
-0.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
45,553
% of total
13.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
45,553
13.3%
-0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
43,588
% of total
12.7%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
43,588
12.7%
-0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
44,268
% of total
12.9%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
44,268
12.9%
+1.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
9,048
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
9,048
2.6%
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)
+1,281
-0.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+2,603
-0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+3,715
0.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+2,900
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+6,605
+0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+7,512
-0.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+5,280
-0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+5,990
-0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+10,937
+1.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+1,337
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Sunshine Coast (R). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 16,930 | 4.9% | 5.4% | 15,649 | 5.3% | 6.1% | +1,281 | -0.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 29,182 | 8.5% | 8.9% | 26,579 | 9.0% | 9.4% | +2,603 | -0.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 25,998 | 7.6% | 7.8% | 22,283 | 7.6% | 7.7% | +3,715 | 0.0pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 24,769 | 7.2% | 7.9% | 21,869 | 7.4% | 8.3% | +2,900 | -0.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 37,803 | 11.0% | 12.4% | 31,198 | 10.6% | 12.4% | +6,605 | +0.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 65,378 | 19.1% | 19.0% | 57,866 | 19.7% | 19.6% | +7,512 | -0.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 45,553 | 13.3% | 13.2% | 40,273 | 13.7% | 13.4% | +5,280 | -0.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 43,588 | 12.7% | 12.2% | 37,598 | 12.8% | 11.7% | +5,990 | -0.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 44,268 | 12.9% | 11.3% | 33,331 | 11.3% | 9.4% | +10,937 | +1.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 9,048 | 2.6% | 2.1% | 7,711 | 2.6% | 1.9% | +1,337 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 342,541 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 294,367 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +48,174 | 0.0pp |