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 Toowoomba (R), accounting for 17.7% (30,581 people). This share was lower than Regional Qld (19%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 4,003 people and 1.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Toowoomba (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Toowoomba (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 Toowoomba (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
10,205
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
10,205
5.9%
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
15,995
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
15,995
9.2%
-0.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
15,037
% of total
8.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
15,037
8.7%
+0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
14,568
% of total
8.4%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
14,568
8.4%
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
21,846
% of total
12.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
21,846
12.6%
+0.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
30,581
% of total
17.7%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
30,581
17.7%
-0.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
20,839
% of total
12.0%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
20,839
12.0%
-0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
19,790
% of total
11.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
19,790
11.4%
+0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
19,962
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
19,962
11.5%
+1.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
4,384
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
4,384
2.5%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-99
-0.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+311
-0.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+1,669
+0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+485
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+2,056
+0.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+1,081
-0.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+584
-0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+1,752
+0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+4,003
+1.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+578
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Toowoomba (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) | 10,205 | 5.9% | 5.4% | 10,304 | 6.4% | 6.1% | -99 | -0.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 15,995 | 9.2% | 8.9% | 15,684 | 9.8% | 9.4% | +311 | -0.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 15,037 | 8.7% | 7.8% | 13,368 | 8.3% | 7.7% | +1,669 | +0.4pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 14,568 | 8.4% | 7.9% | 14,083 | 8.8% | 8.3% | +485 | -0.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 21,846 | 12.6% | 12.4% | 19,790 | 12.3% | 12.4% | +2,056 | +0.3pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 30,581 | 17.7% | 19.0% | 29,500 | 18.3% | 19.6% | +1,081 | -0.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 20,839 | 12.0% | 13.2% | 20,255 | 12.6% | 13.4% | +584 | -0.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 19,790 | 11.4% | 12.2% | 18,038 | 11.2% | 11.7% | +1,752 | +0.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 19,962 | 11.5% | 11.3% | 15,959 | 9.9% | 9.4% | +4,003 | +1.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 4,384 | 2.5% | 2.1% | 3,806 | 2.4% | 1.9% | +578 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 173,204 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 160,779 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +12,425 | 0.0pp |