Population

Service age groups

About this topic

Service age groups divide the population into broad life-stage bands such as children, young adults, working-age adults, and older people. The groupings are designed to reflect typical demand for age-based services and facilities rather than exact five-year cohorts.

This view is useful for planning childcare, schools, recreation, aged services, and other community infrastructure. It works best alongside five year age groups, household type, and dwelling data, which add more detail about who is living in an area and how needs may change over time.

Interpretation notes

  • This is a derived grouping rather than a direct Census question, so the age bands are planning-oriented summaries built from standard age data.
  • Percentages relate to the total population; use five year age groups when exact cohort detail matters.

Key insight

In 2021, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in Bayview Heights, accounting for 20.8% (868 people). This share was similar to Cairns (R) (20.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 868 people and 20.8 percentage points.

Section overview

Age structure - Service age groups

Bayview Heights - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises service age groups for Bayview Heights in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.

Age structure - Service age groups snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Bayview Heights, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).

Bayview Heights
Cairns (R)

Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)

2021 count

216

% of total

5.2%

Change from 2016

+5.2pp

Primary schoolers (5 to 11)

2021 count

392

% of total

9.4%

Change from 2016

+9.4pp

Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)

2021 count

341

% of total

8.2%

Change from 2016

+8.2pp

Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)

2021 count

257

% of total

6.2%

Change from 2016

+6.2pp

Young workforce (25 to 34)

2021 count

436

% of total

10.4%

Change from 2016

+10.4pp

Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)

2021 count

868

% of total

20.8%

Change from 2016

+20.8pp

Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)

2021 count

528

% of total

12.6%

Change from 2016

+12.6pp

Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)

2021 count

559

% of total

13.4%

Change from 2016

+13.4pp

Seniors (70 to 84)

2021 count

518

% of total

12.4%

Change from 2016

+12.4pp

Elderly aged (85 and over)

2021 count

51

% of total

1.2%

Change from 2016

+1.2pp

Data table

Service age groups for Bayview Heights. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).

Service age groups for Bayview Heights. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).
Service age groups for Bayview Heights. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).
Category20212016Change
Count%Cairns (R)%Count%Cairns (R)%Countpp
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)2165.2%5.5%00.0%6.5%+216+5.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)3929.4%9.2%00.0%9.9%+392+9.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)3418.2%8.3%00.0%8.1%+341+8.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)2576.2%7.7%00.0%8.0%+257+6.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)43610.4%13.2%00.0%13.6%+436+10.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)86820.8%20.9%00.0%21.9%+868+20.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)52812.6%13.6%00.0%13.6%+528+12.6pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)55913.4%11.2%00.0%10.4%+559+13.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)51812.4%8.8%00.0%6.6%+518+12.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)511.2%1.5%00.0%1.3%+51+1.2pp
Total4,175100.0%100.0%9100.0%100.0%+4,1660.0pp