Powered by .id (informed decisions) for RDA Darling Downs and South West Region
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LEARN MORE ABOUT .idIn 2021, South West Queensland ROC had lower proportion of children (under 18) and a higher proportion of persons aged 60 or older than the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region.
The Age Structure of South West Queensland ROC provides key insights into the level of demand for age based services and facilities such as child care. It is an indicator of South West Queensland ROC'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 South West Queensland ROC'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 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South West Queensland ROC - Total persons (Enumerated) | 2021 | 1991 | Change | ||||
| Service age group (years) | Number | % | RDA Darling Downs and South West Region % | Number | % | RDA Darling Downs and South West Region % | 1991 to 2021 |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 1,589 | 6.0 | 5.8 | 2,609 | 9.6 | 8.3 | -1,021 |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 2,367 | 9.0 | 9.2 | 3,369 | 12.4 | 12.1 | -1,002 |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 1,634 | 6.2 | 8.3 | 2,032 | 7.5 | 10.6 | -398 |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 1,922 | 7.3 | 7.9 | 3,090 | 11.4 | 11.4 | -1,168 |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 3,241 | 12.3 | 12.3 | 5,047 | 18.6 | 15.5 | -1,806 |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 4,599 | 17.5 | 17.5 | 5,482 | 20.2 | 20.3 | -884 |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 3,764 | 14.3 | 12.6 | 2,619 | 9.7 | 9.4 | +1,144 |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 3,840 | 14.6 | 12.3 | 1,386 | 5.1 | 4.5 | +2,453 |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 2,892 | 11.0 | 11.7 | 1,360 | 5.0 | 7.1 | +1,531 |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 466 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 110 | 0.4 | 0.7 | +356 |
| Total | 26,314 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 27,109 | 100.0 | 100.0 | -795 |
Dominant groups
Analysis of the service age groups of South West Queensland ROC in 2021 compared to the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region 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, 21.2% of the population was aged between 0 and 17, and 27.4% were aged 60 years and over, compared with 23.3% and 26.4% respectively for the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region.
The major differences between the age structure of South West Queensland ROC and the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region were:
- A larger percentage of 'Empty nesters and retirees' (14.6% compared to 12.3%)
- A larger percentage of 'Older workers & pre-retirees' (14.3% compared to 12.6%)
- A smaller percentage of 'Secondary schoolers' (6.2% compared to 8.3%)
Emerging groups
From 1991 to 2021, South West Queensland ROC's population decreased by 795 people (2.9%). This represents an average annual population change of -0.1% per year over the period.
The largest changes in the age structure in this area between 1991 and 2021 were in the age groups:
- Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) (+2,453 people)
- Young workforce (25 to 34) (-1,806 people)
- Seniors (70 to 84) (+1,531 people)
- Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) (-1,168 people)
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