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 Cairns North, accounting for 22.8% (1,217 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (20.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 101 people and 1.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Cairns North - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Cairns North 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 North, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
216
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
216
4.0%
-0.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
253
% of total
4.7%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
253
4.7%
-0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
274
% of total
5.1%
Change from 2016
+1.3pp
274
5.1%
+1.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
543
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
543
10.2%
-1.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,177
% of total
22.1%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
1,177
22.1%
-2.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,217
% of total
22.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,217
22.8%
+0.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
706
% of total
13.2%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
706
13.2%
-0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
537
% of total
10.1%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
537
10.1%
+1.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
362
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
362
6.8%
+1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
50
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
50
0.9%
+0.2pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-23
-0.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-19
-0.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+78
+1.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-52
-1.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-73
-2.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+40
+0.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-5
-0.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+64
+1.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+101
+1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+12
+0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Cairns North. 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) | 216 | 4.0% | 5.5% | 239 | 4.6% | 6.5% | -23 | -0.6pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 253 | 4.7% | 9.2% | 272 | 5.2% | 9.9% | -19 | -0.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 274 | 5.1% | 8.3% | 196 | 3.8% | 8.1% | +78 | +1.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 543 | 10.2% | 7.7% | 595 | 11.5% | 8.0% | -52 | -1.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,177 | 22.1% | 13.2% | 1,250 | 24.1% | 13.6% | -73 | -2.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,217 | 22.8% | 20.9% | 1,177 | 22.7% | 21.9% | +40 | +0.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 706 | 13.2% | 13.6% | 711 | 13.7% | 13.6% | -5 | -0.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 537 | 10.1% | 11.2% | 473 | 9.1% | 10.4% | +64 | +1.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 362 | 6.8% | 8.8% | 261 | 5.0% | 6.6% | +101 | +1.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 50 | 0.9% | 1.5% | 38 | 0.7% | 1.3% | +12 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 5,334 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,191 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +143 | 0.0pp |