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, Primary schoolers (5 to 11) was the most common category among residents in Torres Strait Island (R), accounting for 17.6% (727 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (8.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24), which decreased by 131 people and 1.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Torres Strait Island (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Torres Strait Island (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 Torres Strait Island (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
438
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
438
10.6%
-1.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
727
% of total
17.6%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
727
17.6%
-0.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
274
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
274
6.6%
-1.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
440
% of total
10.7%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
440
10.7%
-1.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
643
% of total
15.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
643
15.6%
+0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
720
% of total
17.5%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
720
17.5%
+1.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
414
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
414
10.0%
+1.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
293
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
293
7.1%
+0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
149
% of total
3.6%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
149
3.6%
+1.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
12
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
12
0.3%
+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)
-113
-1.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-109
-0.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-100
-1.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-131
-1.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-52
+0.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-5
+1.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+17
+1.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+13
+0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+36
+1.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+8
+0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Torres Strait Island (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) | 438 | 10.6% | 5.4% | 551 | 12.2% | 6.1% | -113 | -1.6pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 727 | 17.6% | 8.9% | 836 | 18.5% | 9.4% | -109 | -0.9pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 274 | 6.6% | 7.8% | 374 | 8.3% | 7.7% | -100 | -1.7pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 440 | 10.7% | 7.9% | 571 | 12.6% | 8.3% | -131 | -1.9pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 643 | 15.6% | 12.4% | 695 | 15.4% | 12.4% | -52 | +0.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 720 | 17.5% | 19.0% | 725 | 16.1% | 19.6% | -5 | +1.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 414 | 10.0% | 13.2% | 397 | 8.8% | 13.4% | +17 | +1.2pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 293 | 7.1% | 12.2% | 280 | 6.2% | 11.7% | +13 | +0.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 149 | 3.6% | 11.3% | 113 | 2.5% | 9.4% | +36 | +1.1pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 12 | 0.3% | 2.1% | 4 | 0.1% | 1.9% | +8 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 4,124 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,514 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -390 | 0.0pp |