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 Holloways Beach, accounting for 22% (527 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (20.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 82 people and 3.3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Holloways Beach - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Holloways Beach in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Holloways Beach, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
99
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
99
4.1%
-1.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
148
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-2.0pp
148
6.2%
-2.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
163
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
163
6.8%
+0.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
143
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
143
6.0%
0.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
258
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
258
10.8%
-1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
527
% of total
22.0%
Change from 2016
-1.5pp
527
22.0%
-1.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
430
% of total
17.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
430
17.9%
+0.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
365
% of total
15.2%
Change from 2016
+1.4pp
365
15.2%
+1.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
239
% of total
10.0%
Change from 2016
+3.3pp
239
10.0%
+3.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
29
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
29
1.2%
+0.4pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-31
-1.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-45
-2.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+21
+0.7pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+2
0.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-20
-1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-24
-1.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+12
+0.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+42
+1.4pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+82
+3.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+10
+0.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for Holloways Beach. 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) | 99 | 4.1% | 5.5% | 130 | 5.5% | 6.5% | -31 | -1.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 148 | 6.2% | 9.2% | 193 | 8.2% | 9.9% | -45 | -2.0pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 163 | 6.8% | 8.3% | 142 | 6.1% | 8.1% | +21 | +0.7pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 143 | 6.0% | 7.7% | 141 | 6.0% | 8.0% | +2 | 0.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 258 | 10.8% | 13.2% | 278 | 11.8% | 13.6% | -20 | -1.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 527 | 22.0% | 20.9% | 551 | 23.5% | 21.9% | -24 | -1.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 430 | 17.9% | 13.6% | 418 | 17.8% | 13.6% | +12 | +0.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 365 | 15.2% | 11.2% | 323 | 13.8% | 10.4% | +42 | +1.4pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 239 | 10.0% | 8.8% | 157 | 6.7% | 6.6% | +82 | +3.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 29 | 1.2% | 1.5% | 19 | 0.8% | 1.3% | +10 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 2,398 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,347 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +51 | 0.0pp |