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 Weipa (T), accounting for 23.1% (948 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (19%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24), which increased by 93 people and 1.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Weipa (T) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Weipa (T) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Weipa (T), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
379
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
379
9.2%
-0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
487
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
487
11.9%
-0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
347
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
347
8.5%
+0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
397
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
397
9.7%
+1.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
786
% of total
19.2%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
786
19.2%
+0.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
948
% of total
23.1%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
948
23.1%
-2.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
503
% of total
12.3%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
503
12.3%
-0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
188
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
188
4.6%
0.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
69
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
69
1.7%
+0.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
10
% of total
0.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
10
0.2%
+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)
+8
-0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+3
-0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+30
+0.4pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+93
+1.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+70
+0.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-57
-2.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+9
-0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+9
0.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+26
+0.6pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+7
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Weipa (T). 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) | 379 | 9.2% | 5.4% | 371 | 9.5% | 6.1% | +8 | -0.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 487 | 11.9% | 8.9% | 484 | 12.4% | 9.4% | +3 | -0.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 347 | 8.5% | 7.8% | 317 | 8.1% | 7.7% | +30 | +0.4pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 397 | 9.7% | 7.9% | 304 | 7.8% | 8.3% | +93 | +1.9pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 786 | 19.2% | 12.4% | 716 | 18.3% | 12.4% | +70 | +0.9pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 948 | 23.1% | 19.0% | 1,005 | 25.7% | 19.6% | -57 | -2.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 503 | 12.3% | 13.2% | 494 | 12.7% | 13.4% | +9 | -0.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 188 | 4.6% | 12.2% | 179 | 4.6% | 11.7% | +9 | 0.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 69 | 1.7% | 11.3% | 43 | 1.1% | 9.4% | +26 | +0.6pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 10 | 0.2% | 2.1% | 3 | 0.1% | 1.9% | +7 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 4,100 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,905 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +195 | 0.0pp |