6.2 per cent of the community requires assistance with core activities, this represents 2,157 people.

The number of people requiring assistance has increased by 1,138 people in the 10-year duration between the 2011 and 2021 Census, increasing by 0.9 per cent between 2011 and 2016 and a further 2.1 per cent between 2016 and 2021.

In addition, the number of people that have 'not stated’ need for assistance has decreased from 8.4 per cent in 2011 to 7.48 per cent in 2016 and 6.5 per cent in 2021.

The largest proportion of people that required assistance with core activities in 2021 was those aged 5-14, make up 15.7 per cent of those that need assistance compared 11.9 per cent in 2011. This means the number of people aged 5-14 that need assistance with core activities has increased by 69.

People in Gladstone aged 55-64 made up 11.1 per cent of the community that needed assistance in 2011 compared to 13.1 per cent in 2021, which equated to 169 people.

Unlike some of the other profiles, seniors and the elderly are not increasing significantly as a proportion of those that need assistance in Gladstone. While there has been an increase 114 people that need assistance aged 75-84 years old between 2011 and 2021. People in this age bracket made up 19.1 per cent of people needing assistance in 2011 and 15 per cent in 2016, reducing further to 14.3 per cent in 2021 which means an overall reduction of 4.8 per cent.

There are 2,851 people providing unpaid assistance to a person with a disability, health condition or due to old age which is an increase of 771 people from 2011. There is a general decrease in the percentage of the population providing support that are aged 15 to 54. Community members aged 55 to 85 years represent a larger proportion on the population provided support in 2021 than in 2011.

Considerations:

• There is an increasing population of school age children needing assistance, consideration to be given when planning programs activities and events.
• Just under 40 per cent of people requiring assistance with core activities are aged between 55 years and over. Consideration should be given when planning for activities designed for seniors.