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, Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) was the most common category among residents in Macalister, accounting for 19.9% (31 people). This share was higher than Western Downs (R) (13%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69), which increased by 24 people and 15.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Macalister - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Macalister in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Western Downs (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Macalister, with comparison markers for Western Downs (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
12
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
12
7.7%
-1.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
4
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
4
2.6%
-1.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
3
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
-9.9pp
3
1.9%
-9.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
6
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
6
3.8%
-2.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
18
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
18
11.5%
+1.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
29
% of total
18.6%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
29
18.6%
-2.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
31
% of total
19.9%
Change from 2016
+4.9pp
31
19.9%
+4.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
28
% of total
17.9%
Change from 2016
+15.3pp
28
17.9%
+15.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
7
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
+2.5pp
7
4.5%
+2.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
0
0.0%
0.0pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-2
-1.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-2
-1.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-15
-9.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-3
-2.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+3
+1.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-3
-2.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+8
+4.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+24
+15.3pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+4
+2.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
0
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Macalister. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Western Downs (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Western Downs (R)% | Count | % | Western Downs (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 12 | 7.7% | 6.6% | 14 | 9.2% | 7.2% | -2 | -1.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 4 | 2.6% | 10.3% | 6 | 3.9% | 10.8% | -2 | -1.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 3 | 1.9% | 8.4% | 18 | 11.8% | 8.3% | -15 | -9.9pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 6 | 3.8% | 7.8% | 9 | 5.9% | 7.8% | -3 | -2.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 18 | 11.5% | 13.0% | 15 | 9.8% | 12.4% | +3 | +1.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 29 | 18.6% | 17.9% | 32 | 20.9% | 19.5% | -3 | -2.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 31 | 19.9% | 13.0% | 23 | 15.0% | 12.9% | +8 | +4.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 28 | 17.9% | 11.3% | 4 | 2.6% | 10.7% | +24 | +15.3pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 7 | 4.5% | 9.9% | 3 | 2.0% | 8.6% | +4 | +2.5pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 0 | 0.0% | 1.8% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.8% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 156 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 153 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3 | 0.0pp |