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 Caravonica, accounting for 20.6% (449 people). This share was lower than Cairns (R) (20.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 195 people and 8.5 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Caravonica - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Caravonica in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Caravonica, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
87
% of total
4.0%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
87
4.0%
-0.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
188
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
188
8.6%
-2.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
166
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
166
7.6%
+0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
126
% of total
5.8%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
126
5.8%
-1.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
207
% of total
9.5%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
207
9.5%
-0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
449
% of total
20.6%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
449
20.6%
-2.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
276
% of total
12.6%
Change from 2016
-4.7pp
276
12.6%
-4.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
307
% of total
14.1%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
307
14.1%
+1.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
288
% of total
13.2%
Change from 2016
+8.5pp
288
13.2%
+8.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
70
% of total
3.2%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
70
3.2%
+2.3pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-10
-0.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-41
-2.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+18
+0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-25
-1.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+7
-0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-1
-2.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-69
-4.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+54
+1.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+195
+8.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+52
+2.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Caravonica. 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) | 87 | 4.0% | 5.5% | 97 | 4.9% | 6.5% | -10 | -0.9pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 188 | 8.6% | 9.2% | 229 | 11.5% | 9.9% | -41 | -2.9pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 166 | 7.6% | 8.3% | 148 | 7.4% | 8.1% | +18 | +0.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 126 | 5.8% | 7.7% | 151 | 7.6% | 8.0% | -25 | -1.8pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 207 | 9.5% | 13.2% | 200 | 10.1% | 13.6% | +7 | -0.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 449 | 20.6% | 20.9% | 450 | 22.6% | 21.9% | -1 | -2.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 276 | 12.6% | 13.6% | 345 | 17.3% | 13.6% | -69 | -4.7pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 307 | 14.1% | 11.2% | 253 | 12.7% | 10.4% | +54 | +1.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 288 | 13.2% | 8.8% | 93 | 4.7% | 6.6% | +195 | +8.5pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 70 | 3.2% | 1.5% | 18 | 0.9% | 1.3% | +52 | +2.3pp |
| Total | 2,183 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,989 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +194 | 0.0pp |