Powered by .id (informed decisions) for RDA Darling Downs and South West Region
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LEARN MORE ABOUT .idIn 2021, Southern Downs Regional Council area had lower proportion of children (under 18) and a higher proportion of persons aged 60 or older than Balonne Shire.
The Age Structure of Southern Downs Regional Council area provides key insights into the level of demand for age based services and facilities such as child care. It is an indicator of Southern Downs Regional Council area's residential role and function and how it is likely to change in the future.
Service age groups divide the population into age categories that reflect typical life-stages. They indicate the level of demand for services that target people at different stages in life and how that demand is changing.
To get a more complete picture Southern Downs Regional Council area's Age Structure should be viewed in conjunction with Household Types and Dwelling Types.
Q:
Derived from the Census question:
'What is the person's date of birth or age?'
| Age structure - Service age groups | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Downs Regional Council area - Total persons (Enumerated) | 2021 | 2011 | Change | ||||
| Service age group (years) | Number | % | Balonne Shire % | Number | % | Balonne Shire % | 2011 to 2021 |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 1,687 | 4.7 | 6.5 | 2,189 | 6.5 | 8.7 | -502 |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 3,061 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 3,234 | 9.7 | 11.5 | -173 |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 2,901 | 8.0 | 6.8 | 3,088 | 9.2 | 6.6 | -187 |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 2,293 | 6.3 | 7.9 | 2,195 | 6.6 | 6.8 | +98 |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 3,472 | 9.6 | 11.9 | 3,020 | 9.0 | 12.4 | +452 |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 5,643 | 15.6 | 16.7 | 6,209 | 18.6 | 20.1 | -566 |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 4,948 | 13.7 | 14.6 | 4,761 | 14.2 | 13.1 | +187 |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 5,577 | 15.4 | 14.1 | 4,481 | 13.4 | 12.0 | +1,096 |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 5,638 | 15.6 | 11.6 | 3,466 | 10.4 | 7.7 | +2,172 |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 999 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 779 | 2.3 | 1.1 | +220 |
| Total | 36,219 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 33,422 | 100.0 | 100.0 | +2,797 |
Dominant groups
Analysis of the service age groups of Southern Downs Regional Council area in 2021 compared to Balonne Shire shows that there was a lower proportion of people in the younger age groups (0 to 17 years) and a higher proportion of people in the older age groups (60+ years).
Overall, 21.1% of the population was aged between 0 and 17, and 33.7% were aged 60 years and over, compared with 21.9% and 27.1% respectively for Balonne Shire.
The major differences between the age structure of Southern Downs Regional Council area and Balonne Shire were:
- A larger percentage of 'Seniors' (15.6% compared to 11.6%)
- A smaller percentage of 'Young workforce' (9.6% compared to 11.9%)
- A smaller percentage of 'Babies and pre-schoolers' (4.7% compared to 6.5%)
- A smaller percentage of 'Tertiary education & independence' (6.3% compared to 7.9%)
Emerging groups
From 2011 to 2021, Southern Downs Regional Council area's population increased by 2,797 people (8.4%). This represents an average annual population change of 0.81% per year over the period.
The largest changes in the age structure in this area between 2011 and 2021 were in the age groups:
- Seniors (70 to 84) (+2,172 people)
- Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) (+1,096 people)
- Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) (-566 people)
- Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) (-502 people)
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