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 Brinsmead, accounting for 23.7% (1,315 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (20.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 1,315 people and 23.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Brinsmead - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Brinsmead in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Brinsmead, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
310
% of total
5.6%
Change from 2016
+5.6pp
310
5.6%
+5.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
594
% of total
10.7%
Change from 2016
+10.7pp
594
10.7%
+10.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
591
% of total
10.7%
Change from 2016
+10.7pp
591
10.7%
+10.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
365
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
+6.6pp
365
6.6%
+6.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
536
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
+9.7pp
536
9.7%
+9.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,315
% of total
23.7%
Change from 2016
+23.7pp
1,315
23.7%
+23.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
826
% of total
14.9%
Change from 2016
+14.9pp
826
14.9%
+14.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
598
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
-5.9pp
598
10.8%
-5.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
358
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
358
6.5%
-1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
42
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
42
0.8%
+0.8pp
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+310
+5.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+594
+10.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+591
+10.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+365
+6.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+536
+9.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+1,315
+23.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+826
+14.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+592
-5.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+355
-1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+42
+0.8pp
Data table
Service age groups for Brinsmead. 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) | 310 | 5.6% | 5.5% | 0 | 0.0% | 6.5% | +310 | +5.6pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 594 | 10.7% | 9.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 9.9% | +594 | +10.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 591 | 10.7% | 8.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.1% | +591 | +10.7pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 365 | 6.6% | 7.7% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.0% | +365 | +6.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 536 | 9.7% | 13.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 13.6% | +536 | +9.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,315 | 23.7% | 20.9% | 0 | 0.0% | 21.9% | +1,315 | +23.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 826 | 14.9% | 13.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 13.6% | +826 | +14.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 598 | 10.8% | 11.2% | 6 | 16.7% | 10.4% | +592 | -5.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 358 | 6.5% | 8.8% | 3 | 8.3% | 6.6% | +355 | -1.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 42 | 0.8% | 1.5% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.3% | +42 | +0.8pp |
| Total | 5,537 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 36 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +5,501 | 0.0pp |