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.
Related topics
Key insight
In 2021, Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) was the most common category among residents in Bellenden Ker, accounting for 21.8% (50 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (13.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 1,332 people and 5.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Bellenden Ker - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Bellenden Ker in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bellenden Ker, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
6
% of total
2.6%
Change from 2016
-7.0pp
6
2.6%
-7.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
22
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
22
9.6%
-1.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
17
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
17
7.4%
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
23
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
23
10.0%
-0.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
11
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-12.7pp
11
4.8%
-12.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
33
% of total
14.4%
Change from 2016
-5.9pp
33
14.4%
-5.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
50
% of total
21.8%
Change from 2016
+10.5pp
50
21.8%
+10.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
19
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
19
8.3%
+1.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
18
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
+3.8pp
18
7.9%
+3.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
5
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
5
2.2%
+1.9pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-639
-7.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-714
-1.3pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-496
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-702
-0.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-1,166
-12.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-1,332
-5.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-712
+10.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-475
+1.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-256
+3.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-16
+1.9pp
Data table
Service age groups for Bellenden Ker. Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cairns (R).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Cairns (R)% | Count | % | Cairns (R)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 6 | 2.6% | 5.5% | 645 | 9.6% | 6.5% | -639 | -7.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 22 | 9.6% | 9.2% | 736 | 10.9% | 9.9% | -714 | -1.3pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 17 | 7.4% | 8.3% | 513 | 7.6% | 8.1% | -496 | -0.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 23 | 10.0% | 7.7% | 725 | 10.8% | 8.0% | -702 | -0.8pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 11 | 4.8% | 13.2% | 1,177 | 17.5% | 13.6% | -1,166 | -12.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 33 | 14.4% | 20.9% | 1,365 | 20.3% | 21.9% | -1,332 | -5.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 50 | 21.8% | 13.6% | 762 | 11.3% | 13.6% | -712 | +10.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 19 | 8.3% | 11.2% | 494 | 7.3% | 10.4% | -475 | +1.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 18 | 7.9% | 8.8% | 274 | 4.1% | 6.6% | -256 | +3.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 5 | 2.2% | 1.5% | 21 | 0.3% | 1.3% | -16 | +1.9pp |
| Total | 229 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 6,736 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -6,507 | 0.0pp |