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 Topaz, accounting for 22% (39 people). This share was higher than Tablelands (R) (16.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which decreased by 67 people and 16.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Topaz - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Topaz in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Tablelands (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Topaz, with comparison markers for Tablelands (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
4
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
4
2.3%
+0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
13
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
13
7.3%
-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
17
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
17
9.6%
+2.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
0
0.0%
-3.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
3
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
3
1.7%
-0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
27
% of total
15.3%
Change from 2016
+4.7pp
27
15.3%
+4.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
29
% of total
16.4%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
29
16.4%
+1.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
39
% of total
22.0%
Change from 2016
+3.1pp
39
22.0%
+3.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
21
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
-16.3pp
21
11.9%
-16.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
0
0.0%
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
+0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-11
-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-4
+2.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-12
-3.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-3
-0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-6
+4.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-19
+1.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-20
+3.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-67
-16.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
0
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Topaz. 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) | 4 | 2.3% | 4.1% | 5 | 1.6% | 5.3% | -1 | +0.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 13 | 7.3% | 8.5% | 24 | 7.7% | 9.2% | -11 | -0.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 17 | 9.6% | 8.5% | 21 | 6.7% | 7.6% | -4 | +2.9pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 0 | 0.0% | 5.3% | 12 | 3.8% | 5.9% | -12 | -3.8pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 3 | 1.7% | 8.9% | 6 | 1.9% | 8.3% | -3 | -0.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 27 | 15.3% | 15.8% | 33 | 10.6% | 16.7% | -6 | +4.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 29 | 16.4% | 14.3% | 48 | 15.4% | 15.3% | -19 | +1.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 39 | 22.0% | 16.2% | 59 | 18.9% | 15.8% | -20 | +3.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 21 | 11.9% | 15.6% | 88 | 28.2% | 13.3% | -67 | -16.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 0 | 0.0% | 2.7% | 0 | 0.0% | 2.5% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 177 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 312 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -135 | 0.0pp |