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, Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) was the most common category among residents in Bentley Park, accounting for 21.1% (1,760 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (20.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 156 people and 1.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Bentley Park - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Bentley Park in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Bentley Park, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
636
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
636
7.6%
-1.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
1,071
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
1,071
12.8%
-1.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
897
% of total
10.7%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
897
10.7%
+0.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
709
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
709
8.5%
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,231
% of total
14.7%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
1,231
14.7%
-0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,760
% of total
21.1%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
1,760
21.1%
-1.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
945
% of total
11.3%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
945
11.3%
+1.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
636
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
636
7.6%
+0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
457
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
+1.7pp
457
5.5%
+1.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
26
% of total
0.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
26
0.3%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-90
-1.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-35
-1.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+104
+0.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-6
-0.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-4
-0.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-16
-1.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+131
+1.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+98
+0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+156
+1.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+10
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Bentley Park. 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) | 636 | 7.6% | 5.5% | 726 | 9.1% | 6.5% | -90 | -1.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 1,071 | 12.8% | 9.2% | 1,106 | 13.8% | 9.9% | -35 | -1.0pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 897 | 10.7% | 8.3% | 793 | 9.9% | 8.1% | +104 | +0.8pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 709 | 8.5% | 7.7% | 715 | 8.9% | 8.0% | -6 | -0.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,231 | 14.7% | 13.2% | 1,235 | 15.4% | 13.6% | -4 | -0.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,760 | 21.1% | 20.9% | 1,776 | 22.2% | 21.9% | -16 | -1.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 945 | 11.3% | 13.6% | 814 | 10.2% | 13.6% | +131 | +1.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 636 | 7.6% | 11.2% | 538 | 6.7% | 10.4% | +98 | +0.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 457 | 5.5% | 8.8% | 301 | 3.8% | 6.6% | +156 | +1.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 26 | 0.3% | 1.5% | 16 | 0.2% | 1.3% | +10 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 8,360 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,018 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +342 | 0.0pp |