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, Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) was the most common category among residents in Tara (Qld), accounting for 16.5% (327 people). This share was higher than Western Downs (R) (11.3%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59), which increased by 256 people and 3.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Tara (Qld) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Tara (Qld) 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 Tara (Qld), with comparison markers for Western Downs (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
102
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
102
5.2%
+0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
179
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
-3.7pp
179
9.0%
-3.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
135
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
135
6.8%
-1.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
128
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
128
6.5%
+1.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
200
% of total
10.1%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
200
10.1%
+1.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
296
% of total
14.9%
Change from 2016
-12.0pp
296
14.9%
-12.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
323
% of total
16.3%
Change from 2016
+3.6pp
323
16.3%
+3.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
327
% of total
16.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
327
16.5%
+0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
272
% of total
13.7%
Change from 2016
+7.3pp
272
13.7%
+7.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
28
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
28
1.4%
+0.8pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+75
+0.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+112
-3.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+94
-1.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+102
+1.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+153
+1.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+154
-12.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+256
+3.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+241
+0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+238
+7.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+25
+0.8pp
Data table
Service age groups for Tara (Qld). 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) | 102 | 5.2% | 6.6% | 27 | 5.1% | 7.2% | +75 | +0.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 179 | 9.0% | 10.3% | 67 | 12.7% | 10.8% | +112 | -3.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 135 | 6.8% | 8.4% | 41 | 7.8% | 8.3% | +94 | -1.0pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 128 | 6.5% | 7.8% | 26 | 4.9% | 7.8% | +102 | +1.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 200 | 10.1% | 13.0% | 47 | 8.9% | 12.4% | +153 | +1.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 296 | 14.9% | 17.9% | 142 | 26.9% | 19.5% | +154 | -12.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 323 | 16.3% | 13.0% | 67 | 12.7% | 12.9% | +256 | +3.6pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 327 | 16.5% | 11.3% | 86 | 16.3% | 10.7% | +241 | +0.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 272 | 13.7% | 9.9% | 34 | 6.4% | 8.6% | +238 | +7.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 28 | 1.4% | 1.8% | 3 | 0.6% | 1.8% | +25 | +0.8pp |
| Total | 1,980 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 528 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,452 | 0.0pp |