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 Edge Hill, accounting for 21.6% (882 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (20.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 122 people and 2.7 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Edge Hill - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Edge Hill in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Edge Hill, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
186
% of total
4.5%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
186
4.5%
-1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
371
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
371
9.1%
-0.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
371
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
+1.6pp
371
9.1%
+1.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
248
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
248
6.1%
-0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
479
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
479
11.7%
+0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
882
% of total
21.6%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
882
21.6%
-2.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
634
% of total
15.5%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
634
15.5%
-0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
486
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
486
11.9%
+0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
398
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
398
9.7%
+2.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
48
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
48
1.2%
-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)
-29
-1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-11
-0.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+77
+1.6pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+5
-0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+38
+0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-47
-2.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+12
-0.4pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+24
+0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+122
+2.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-4
-0.1pp
Data table
Service age groups for Edge Hill. 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) | 186 | 4.5% | 5.5% | 215 | 5.5% | 6.5% | -29 | -1.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 371 | 9.1% | 9.2% | 382 | 9.8% | 9.9% | -11 | -0.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 371 | 9.1% | 8.3% | 294 | 7.5% | 8.1% | +77 | +1.6pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 248 | 6.1% | 7.7% | 243 | 6.2% | 8.0% | +5 | -0.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 479 | 11.7% | 13.2% | 441 | 11.3% | 13.6% | +38 | +0.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 882 | 21.6% | 20.9% | 929 | 23.7% | 21.9% | -47 | -2.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 634 | 15.5% | 13.6% | 622 | 15.9% | 13.6% | +12 | -0.4pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 486 | 11.9% | 11.2% | 462 | 11.8% | 10.4% | +24 | +0.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 398 | 9.7% | 8.8% | 276 | 7.0% | 6.6% | +122 | +2.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 48 | 1.2% | 1.5% | 52 | 1.3% | 1.3% | -4 | -0.1pp |
| Total | 4,088 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 3,916 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +172 | 0.0pp |