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, Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) was the most common category among residents in Herberton, accounting for 20.3% (182 people). This share was higher than Tablelands (R) (8.5%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Secondary schoolers (12 to 17), which increased by 66 people and 6.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Herberton - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Herberton in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Tablelands (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Herberton, with comparison markers for Tablelands (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
20
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
20
2.2%
-3.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
52
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
52
5.8%
-1.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
182
% of total
20.3%
Change from 2016
+6.7pp
182
20.3%
+6.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
35
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
35
3.9%
-1.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
54
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
54
6.0%
-3.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
82
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
-5.5pp
82
9.2%
-5.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
129
% of total
14.4%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
129
14.4%
-1.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
152
% of total
17.0%
Change from 2016
+3.9pp
152
17.0%
+3.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
138
% of total
15.4%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
138
15.4%
+3.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
36
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
36
4.0%
+0.6pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-32
-3.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-6
-1.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+66
+6.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-14
-1.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-27
-3.5pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-44
-5.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-7
-1.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+40
+3.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+33
+3.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+7
+0.6pp
Data table
Service age groups for Herberton. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Tablelands (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Tablelands (R)% | Count | % | Tablelands (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 20 | 2.2% | 4.1% | 52 | 6.1% | 5.3% | -32 | -3.9pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 52 | 5.8% | 8.5% | 58 | 6.8% | 9.2% | -6 | -1.0pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 182 | 20.3% | 8.5% | 116 | 13.6% | 7.6% | +66 | +6.7pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 35 | 3.9% | 5.3% | 49 | 5.7% | 5.9% | -14 | -1.8pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 54 | 6.0% | 8.9% | 81 | 9.5% | 8.3% | -27 | -3.5pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 82 | 9.2% | 15.8% | 126 | 14.7% | 16.7% | -44 | -5.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 129 | 14.4% | 14.3% | 136 | 15.9% | 15.3% | -7 | -1.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 152 | 17.0% | 16.2% | 112 | 13.1% | 15.8% | +40 | +3.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 138 | 15.4% | 15.6% | 105 | 12.3% | 13.3% | +33 | +3.1pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 36 | 4.0% | 2.7% | 29 | 3.4% | 2.5% | +7 | +0.6pp |
| Total | 895 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 855 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +40 | 0.0pp |