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 Manunda, accounting for 20.2% (1,048 people). This share was lower than Cairns (R) (20.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 141 people and 3 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Manunda - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Manunda in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Manunda, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
295
% of total
5.7%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
295
5.7%
-1.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
375
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
-1.2pp
375
7.2%
-1.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
360
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
360
6.9%
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
513
% of total
9.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
513
9.9%
+0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
756
% of total
14.6%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
756
14.6%
-0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,048
% of total
20.2%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
1,048
20.2%
-0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
663
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
663
12.8%
-0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
576
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
576
11.1%
+0.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
543
% of total
10.5%
Change from 2016
+3.0pp
543
10.5%
+3.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
76
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
76
1.5%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-79
-1.2pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-78
-1.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-5
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-3
+0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-76
-0.8pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-56
-0.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-37
-0.2pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+2
+0.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+141
+3.0pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-13
-0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Manunda. 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) | 295 | 5.7% | 5.5% | 374 | 6.9% | 6.5% | -79 | -1.2pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 375 | 7.2% | 9.2% | 453 | 8.4% | 9.9% | -78 | -1.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 360 | 6.9% | 8.3% | 365 | 6.8% | 8.1% | -5 | +0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 513 | 9.9% | 7.7% | 516 | 9.6% | 8.0% | -3 | +0.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 756 | 14.6% | 13.2% | 832 | 15.4% | 13.6% | -76 | -0.8pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,048 | 20.2% | 20.9% | 1,104 | 20.5% | 21.9% | -56 | -0.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 663 | 12.8% | 13.6% | 700 | 13.0% | 13.6% | -37 | -0.2pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 576 | 11.1% | 11.2% | 574 | 10.6% | 10.4% | +2 | +0.5pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 543 | 10.5% | 8.8% | 402 | 7.5% | 6.6% | +141 | +3.0pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 76 | 1.5% | 1.5% | 89 | 1.7% | 1.3% | -13 | -0.2pp |
| Total | 5,191 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,390 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -199 | 0.0pp |