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 Earlville, accounting for 18.7% (786 people). This share was lower than Cairns (R) (20.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 746 people and 1 percentage point.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Earlville - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Earlville in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Earlville, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
211
% of total
5.0%
Change from 2016
+3.7pp
211
5.0%
+3.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
330
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
330
7.9%
-2.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
299
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
299
7.1%
-1.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
294
% of total
7.0%
Change from 2016
+3.9pp
294
7.0%
+3.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
525
% of total
12.5%
Change from 2016
+11.2pp
525
12.5%
+11.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
786
% of total
18.7%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
786
18.7%
+1.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
559
% of total
13.3%
Change from 2016
-4.8pp
559
13.3%
-4.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
441
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
-18.7pp
441
10.5%
-18.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
609
% of total
14.5%
Change from 2016
+4.8pp
609
14.5%
+4.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
177
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
+2.9pp
177
4.2%
+2.9pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+208
+3.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+306
-2.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+279
-1.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+287
+3.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+522
+11.2pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+746
+1.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+518
-4.8pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+375
-18.7pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+587
+4.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+174
+2.9pp
Data table
Service age groups for Earlville. 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) | 211 | 5.0% | 5.5% | 3 | 1.3% | 6.5% | +208 | +3.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 330 | 7.9% | 9.2% | 24 | 10.6% | 9.9% | +306 | -2.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 299 | 7.1% | 8.3% | 20 | 8.8% | 8.1% | +279 | -1.7pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 294 | 7.0% | 7.7% | 7 | 3.1% | 8.0% | +287 | +3.9pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 525 | 12.5% | 13.2% | 3 | 1.3% | 13.6% | +522 | +11.2pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 786 | 18.7% | 20.9% | 40 | 17.7% | 21.9% | +746 | +1.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 559 | 13.3% | 13.6% | 41 | 18.1% | 13.6% | +518 | -4.8pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 441 | 10.5% | 11.2% | 66 | 29.2% | 10.4% | +375 | -18.7pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 609 | 14.5% | 8.8% | 22 | 9.7% | 6.6% | +587 | +4.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 177 | 4.2% | 1.5% | 3 | 1.3% | 1.3% | +174 | +2.9pp |
| Total | 4,200 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 226 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +3,974 | 0.0pp |