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 Townsville (C), accounting for 19.5% (37,635 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (19%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 3,803 people and 1.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Townsville (C) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Townsville (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Townsville (C), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
11,189
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
11,189
5.8%
-1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
17,877
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
17,877
9.3%
-0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
15,371
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
15,371
8.0%
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
20,384
% of total
10.6%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
20,384
10.6%
-0.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
27,902
% of total
14.5%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
27,902
14.5%
-0.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
37,635
% of total
19.5%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
37,635
19.5%
-0.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
24,055
% of total
12.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
24,055
12.5%
+0.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
19,910
% of total
10.3%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
19,910
10.3%
+0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
15,805
% of total
8.2%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
15,805
8.2%
+1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
2,647
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
2,647
1.4%
+0.2pp
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-1,445
-1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+29
-0.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+617
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-1,091
-0.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+185
-0.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+185
-0.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+989
+0.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+2,418
+0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+3,803
+1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+332
+0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Townsville (C). 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) | 11,189 | 5.8% | 5.4% | 12,634 | 6.8% | 6.1% | -1,445 | -1.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 17,877 | 9.3% | 8.9% | 17,848 | 9.6% | 9.4% | +29 | -0.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 15,371 | 8.0% | 7.8% | 14,754 | 7.9% | 7.7% | +617 | +0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 20,384 | 10.6% | 7.9% | 21,475 | 11.5% | 8.3% | -1,091 | -0.9pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 27,902 | 14.5% | 12.4% | 27,717 | 14.8% | 12.4% | +185 | -0.3pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 37,635 | 19.5% | 19.0% | 37,450 | 20.1% | 19.6% | +185 | -0.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 24,055 | 12.5% | 13.2% | 23,066 | 12.4% | 13.4% | +989 | +0.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 19,910 | 10.3% | 12.2% | 17,492 | 9.4% | 11.7% | +2,418 | +0.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 15,805 | 8.2% | 11.3% | 12,002 | 6.4% | 9.4% | +3,803 | +1.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 2,647 | 1.4% | 2.1% | 2,315 | 1.2% | 1.9% | +332 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 192,768 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 186,757 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +6,011 | 0.0pp |