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RDA Darling Downs and South West RegionCommunity profile

RDA Darling Downs and South West Region

Service age groups

In 2021, the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region had higher proportion of children (under 18) and a similar proportion of persons aged 60 or older than Regional QLD.

The Age Structure of the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region provides key insights into the level of demand for age based services and facilities such as child care. It is an indicator of the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region'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 the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region'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
RDA Darling Downs and South West Region - Total persons (Enumerated)20211991Change
Service age group (years)Number%Regional QLD %Number%Regional QLD %1991 to 2021
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)16,3875.85.316,5338.37.6-146
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)25,9699.28.724,05612.110.8+1,913
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)23,3068.37.620,92410.69.0+2,381
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)22,2707.97.822,68311.410.3-413
Young workforce (25 to 34)34,48212.312.330,77015.515.5+3,711
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)49,21017.518.740,21420.320.4+8,995
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)35,45612.613.118,5869.49.4+16,870
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)34,45212.312.68,9684.59.1+25,483
Seniors (70 to 84)33,01611.711.814,0707.17.1+18,946
Elderly aged (85 and over)6,6902.42.11,3610.70.7+5,329
Total281,238100.0100.0198,169100.0100.0+83,069
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 1991 and 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information

Dominant groups

Analysis of the service age groups of the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region in 2021 compared to Regional QLD shows that there was a higher proportion of people in the younger age groups (0 to 17 years) and a similar proportion of people in the older age groups (60+ years).

Overall, 23.3% of the population was aged between 0 and 17, and 26.4% were aged 60 years and over, compared with 21.6% and 26.4% respectively for Regional QLD.

The major difference between the age structure of the RDA Darling Downs and South West Region and Regional QLD is:

  • A smaller percentage of 'Parents and homebuilders' (17.5% compared to 18.7%)

Emerging groups

From 1991 to 2021, RDA Darling Downs and South West Region's population increased by 83,069 people (41.9%). This represents an average annual population change of 1.17% 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) (+25,483 people)
  • Seniors (70 to 84) (+18,946 people)
  • Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) (+16,870 people)
  • Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) (+8,995 people)

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