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 Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 862 people, while its share fell by 6.6 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.
Chart view
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
+4.5pp
186
4.5%
+4.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
371
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
371
9.1%
-2.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
371
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
+4.9pp
371
9.1%
+4.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
248
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
+6.1pp
248
6.1%
+6.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
479
% of total
11.7%
Change from 2016
+11.7pp
479
11.7%
+11.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
882
% of total
21.6%
Change from 2016
-6.6pp
882
21.6%
-6.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
634
% of total
15.5%
Change from 2016
+11.3pp
634
15.5%
+11.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
486
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
486
11.9%
-2.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
398
% of total
9.7%
Change from 2016
+5.5pp
398
9.7%
+5.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
48
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
48
1.2%
+1.2pp
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+186
+4.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+363
-2.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+368
+4.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+248
+6.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+479
+11.7pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+862
-6.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+631
+11.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+476
-2.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+395
+5.5pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+48
+1.2pp
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% | 0 | 0.0% | 6.5% | +186 | +4.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 371 | 9.1% | 9.2% | 8 | 11.3% | 9.9% | +363 | -2.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 371 | 9.1% | 8.3% | 3 | 4.2% | 8.1% | +368 | +4.9pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 248 | 6.1% | 7.7% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.0% | +248 | +6.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 479 | 11.7% | 13.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 13.6% | +479 | +11.7pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 882 | 21.6% | 20.9% | 20 | 28.2% | 21.9% | +862 | -6.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 634 | 15.5% | 13.6% | 3 | 4.2% | 13.6% | +631 | +11.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 486 | 11.9% | 11.2% | 10 | 14.1% | 10.4% | +476 | -2.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 398 | 9.7% | 8.8% | 3 | 4.2% | 6.6% | +395 | +5.5pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 48 | 1.2% | 1.5% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.3% | +48 | +1.2pp |
| Total | 4,088 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 71 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,017 | 0.0pp |