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, Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) was the most common category among residents in Fishery Falls, accounting for 21% (43 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (11.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Primary schoolers (5 to 11), which increased by 12 people and 5.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Fishery Falls - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Fishery Falls in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Fishery Falls, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
5
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
5
2.4%
+0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
12
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
+5.9pp
12
5.9%
+5.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
10
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-2.2pp
10
4.9%
-2.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
8
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
8
3.9%
+1.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
19
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
19
9.3%
+0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
35
% of total
17.1%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
35
17.1%
+0.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
36
% of total
17.6%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
36
17.6%
-1.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
43
% of total
21.0%
Change from 2016
-3.8pp
43
21.0%
-3.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
16
% of total
7.8%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
16
7.8%
-0.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-3.5pp
0
0.0%
-3.5pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+2
+0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+12
+5.9pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
0
-2.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+5
+1.8pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+7
+0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+11
+0.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+9
-1.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+8
-3.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+4
-0.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-5
-3.5pp
Data table
Service age groups for Fishery Falls. 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) | 5 | 2.4% | 5.5% | 3 | 2.1% | 6.5% | +2 | +0.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 12 | 5.9% | 9.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 9.9% | +12 | +5.9pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 10 | 4.9% | 8.3% | 10 | 7.1% | 8.1% | 0 | -2.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 8 | 3.9% | 7.7% | 3 | 2.1% | 8.0% | +5 | +1.8pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 19 | 9.3% | 13.2% | 12 | 8.5% | 13.6% | +7 | +0.8pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 35 | 17.1% | 20.9% | 24 | 17.0% | 21.9% | +11 | +0.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 36 | 17.6% | 13.6% | 27 | 19.1% | 13.6% | +9 | -1.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 43 | 21.0% | 11.2% | 35 | 24.8% | 10.4% | +8 | -3.8pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 16 | 7.8% | 8.8% | 12 | 8.5% | 6.6% | +4 | -0.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 0 | 0.0% | 1.5% | 5 | 3.5% | 1.3% | -5 | -3.5pp |
| Total | 205 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 141 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +64 | 0.0pp |