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, Young workforce (25 to 34) was the most common category among residents in Cairns City, accounting for 24.2% (874 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (13.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which increased by 871 people and 19.6 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Cairns City - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Cairns City in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cairns City, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
74
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
74
2.0%
+2.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
84
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
-13.1pp
84
2.3%
-13.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
81
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
81
2.2%
+2.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
306
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-8.4pp
306
8.5%
-8.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
874
% of total
24.2%
Change from 2016
+19.6pp
874
24.2%
+19.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
657
% of total
18.2%
Change from 2016
+2.8pp
657
18.2%
+2.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
546
% of total
15.1%
Change from 2016
+10.5pp
546
15.1%
+10.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
527
% of total
14.6%
Change from 2016
+5.4pp
527
14.6%
+5.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
443
% of total
12.3%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
443
12.3%
-1.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
53
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-3.1pp
53
1.5%
-3.1pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+74
+2.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+74
-13.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+81
+2.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+295
-8.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+871
+19.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+647
+2.8pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+543
+10.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+521
+5.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+434
-1.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+50
-3.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Cairns City. 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) | 74 | 2.0% | 5.5% | 0 | 0.0% | 6.5% | +74 | +2.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 84 | 2.3% | 9.2% | 10 | 15.4% | 9.9% | +74 | -13.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 81 | 2.2% | 8.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.1% | +81 | +2.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 306 | 8.5% | 7.7% | 11 | 16.9% | 8.0% | +295 | -8.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 874 | 24.2% | 13.2% | 3 | 4.6% | 13.6% | +871 | +19.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 657 | 18.2% | 20.9% | 10 | 15.4% | 21.9% | +647 | +2.8pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 546 | 15.1% | 13.6% | 3 | 4.6% | 13.6% | +543 | +10.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 527 | 14.6% | 11.2% | 6 | 9.2% | 10.4% | +521 | +5.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 443 | 12.3% | 8.8% | 9 | 13.8% | 6.6% | +434 | -1.5pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 53 | 1.5% | 1.5% | 3 | 4.6% | 1.3% | +50 | -3.1pp |
| Total | 3,616 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 65 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,551 | 0.0pp |