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, Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) was the most common category among residents in Deeral, accounting for 11.9% (18 people). This share was lower than Cairns (R) (13.6%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 3,860 people and 10.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Deeral - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Deeral in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Deeral, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-6.9pp
0
0.0%
-6.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
14
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
14
9.3%
-1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
10
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
10
6.6%
-2.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
7
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-4.3pp
7
4.6%
-4.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
7
% of total
4.6%
Change from 2016
-6.9pp
7
4.6%
-6.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
13
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
-10.9pp
13
8.6%
-10.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
18
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
18
11.9%
-0.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
18
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
+1.1pp
18
11.9%
+1.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
14
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
14
9.3%
+0.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
3
% of total
2.0%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
3
2.0%
+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)
-1,379
-6.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-2,057
-1.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-1,700
-2.0pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-1,768
-4.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-2,271
-6.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-3,860
-10.9pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-2,510
-0.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-2,135
+1.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-1,693
+0.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-382
+0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Deeral. 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) | 0 | 0.0% | 5.5% | 1,379 | 6.9% | 6.5% | -1,379 | -6.9pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 14 | 9.3% | 9.2% | 2,071 | 10.4% | 9.9% | -2,057 | -1.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 10 | 6.6% | 8.3% | 1,710 | 8.6% | 8.1% | -1,700 | -2.0pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 7 | 4.6% | 7.7% | 1,775 | 8.9% | 8.0% | -1,768 | -4.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 7 | 4.6% | 13.2% | 2,278 | 11.5% | 13.6% | -2,271 | -6.9pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 13 | 8.6% | 20.9% | 3,873 | 19.5% | 21.9% | -3,860 | -10.9pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 18 | 11.9% | 13.6% | 2,528 | 12.7% | 13.6% | -2,510 | -0.8pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 18 | 11.9% | 11.2% | 2,153 | 10.8% | 10.4% | -2,135 | +1.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 14 | 9.3% | 8.8% | 1,707 | 8.6% | 6.6% | -1,693 | +0.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 3 | 2.0% | 1.5% | 385 | 1.9% | 1.3% | -382 | +0.1pp |
| Total | 151 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 19,850 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -19,699 | 0.0pp |