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 Thursday Island, accounting for 19.8% (554 people). This share was higher than Torres (S) (19.1%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which decreased by 86 people and 2.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Thursday Island - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Thursday Island in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Torres (S) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Thursday Island, with comparison markers for Torres (S).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
211
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
211
7.5%
-1.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
374
% of total
13.3%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
374
13.3%
+0.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
307
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
307
10.9%
-0.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
294
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
294
10.5%
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
410
% of total
14.6%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
410
14.6%
-2.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
554
% of total
19.8%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
554
19.8%
+0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
296
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
296
10.6%
-0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
240
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
+2.5pp
240
8.6%
+2.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
86
% of total
3.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
86
3.1%
+0.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
13
% of total
0.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
13
0.5%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-64
-1.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+4
+0.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-33
-0.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-20
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-86
-2.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-7
+0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-33
-0.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+62
+2.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+9
+0.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+3
+0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Thursday Island. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Torres (S).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Torres (S)% | Count | % | Torres (S)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 211 | 7.5% | 7.8% | 275 | 9.4% | 8.4% | -64 | -1.9pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 374 | 13.3% | 13.0% | 370 | 12.6% | 12.6% | +4 | +0.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 307 | 10.9% | 10.5% | 340 | 11.6% | 11.2% | -33 | -0.7pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 294 | 10.5% | 10.8% | 314 | 10.7% | 10.9% | -20 | -0.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 410 | 14.6% | 15.3% | 496 | 16.9% | 17.3% | -86 | -2.3pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 554 | 19.8% | 19.1% | 561 | 19.1% | 18.6% | -7 | +0.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 296 | 10.6% | 10.6% | 329 | 11.2% | 11.6% | -33 | -0.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 240 | 8.6% | 9.1% | 178 | 6.1% | 6.4% | +62 | +2.5pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 86 | 3.1% | 3.4% | 77 | 2.6% | 2.5% | +9 | +0.5pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 13 | 0.5% | 0.3% | 10 | 0.3% | 0.5% | +3 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 2,805 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,938 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -133 | 0.0pp |