In 2021, the towns of Baffle Creek, Deepwater and Rules Beach had a combined population of 498, with 155 people in Baffle Creek, 287 in Deepwater and 56 in Rules Beach. 

In 2021 the median age, when looking at the combined data of Baffle Creek, Deepwater and Rules Beach, was 58, compared to 55 in 2016. This is higher than the region and the State, both with a median age of 38.  At a suburb level there are differences in the median age.

In Baffle Creek the median age has increased from 56 in 2016 to 57 in 2021.

The median age for Deepwater has increased by a similar amount, from 55 in 2016 to 57 in 2021.

The most notable difference was seen in Rules Beach, where the median age increased from 53 in 2016 to 60 in 2021. Which is 22 years higher than the region and the State.

There have been movements across all age brackets for the combined data, the most notable increases were for those aged 75-79 making up 2.6 per cent (12 people) of the population in 2016, increasing to 5.7 per cent or 29 people in 2021.

The proportion of the population that were aged 15-19 increased from 2 per cent of the population in 2016 to 4.1 per cent in 2021, an increase of 11 people.

While the number of those aged 40-44 increased from 4.6 per cent of the population to 5.3 per cent, representing an increase of six people.

The largest decreases were seen for those aged 0-14, representing 5.9 per cent of the population in 2016, decreasing to 3.4 per cent in 2021, which sees the number of people in this age bracket decrease from 27 to 17.

The number of children aged 0-4 decreased by a similar number, reducing from 17 in 2016 to 6 in 2021 and those aged 5-9 decreasing from 19 to 10 children.

It is clear to see when looking at combined service breakdown for Baffle Creek, Deepwater and Rules Beach that there is an ageing population. Older workers and retirees, empty nesters, seniors and elders represent larger proportion of the community, with an additional 65 people across these service brackets compared to 2016.

In addition to the aforementioned reduction in babies and pre-schoolers, the percentage of population that are parents and homebuilders decreased from 18.4 per cent in 2016 compared to 17 per cent in 2021. Whilst this is a decrease at a population level, it represents an increase of 2 people in this service bracket.

In 2021, the age groups that differ most to the Gladstone Region are:

• The percentage of the population that are primary and secondary schoolers, tertiary education and independent, young workforce, parents and homebuilders are all lower than the region.
• The percentage of the population that are parents and homebuilders is 16.7 per cent lower when compared to the region.
• The percentage of the population that is 50 and over is significantly higher when compared to the region.
• Older workers and retirees make up 26.2 per cent of the Baffle Creek, Deepwater and Rules Beach population, compared to 14.3 per cent for the region.
• Empty nesters and retirees make up 24.5 per cent of the Baffle Creek, Deepwater and Rules Beach population, compared to 13.6 per cent for the region.
• Seniors make up 16.6 per cent of the Baffle Creek, Deepwater and Rules Beach population, compared to 7.8 per cent for the region.

Consideration needs to be given to the ageing population and the reduction in younger members of the community which will mean an increasing demand on services for older community members.

Service group breakdown compared to the Region, source ABS 2021, 2016