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 Moola, accounting for 19.3% (42 people). This share was higher than Western Downs (R) (13%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59), which increased by 42 people and 19.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Moola - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Moola 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 Moola, with comparison markers for Western Downs (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
16
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
+7.3pp
16
7.3%
+7.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
18
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
+8.3pp
18
8.3%
+8.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
22
% of total
10.1%
Change from 2016
+10.1pp
22
10.1%
+10.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
11
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
+5.0pp
11
5.0%
+5.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
11
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
-4.4pp
11
5.0%
-4.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
40
% of total
18.3%
Change from 2016
+18.3pp
40
18.3%
+18.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
42
% of total
19.3%
Change from 2016
+19.3pp
42
19.3%
+19.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
34
% of total
15.6%
Change from 2016
+15.6pp
34
15.6%
+15.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
26
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
+11.9pp
26
11.9%
+11.9pp
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)
+16
+7.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+18
+8.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+22
+10.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+11
+5.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+8
-4.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+40
+18.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+42
+19.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+34
+15.6pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+26
+11.9pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
0
0.0pp
Data table
Service age groups for Moola. 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) | 16 | 7.3% | 6.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 7.2% | +16 | +7.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 18 | 8.3% | 10.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 10.8% | +18 | +8.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 22 | 10.1% | 8.4% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.3% | +22 | +10.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 11 | 5.0% | 7.8% | 0 | 0.0% | 7.8% | +11 | +5.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 11 | 5.0% | 13.0% | 3 | 9.4% | 12.4% | +8 | -4.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 40 | 18.3% | 17.9% | 0 | 0.0% | 19.5% | +40 | +18.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 42 | 19.3% | 13.0% | 0 | 0.0% | 12.9% | +42 | +19.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 34 | 15.6% | 11.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 10.7% | +34 | +15.6pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 26 | 11.9% | 9.9% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.6% | +26 | +11.9pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 0 | 0.0% | 1.8% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.8% | 0 | 0.0pp |
| Total | 218 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 32 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +186 | 0.0pp |