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 Mooroobool, accounting for 19.9% (1,419 people). This share was lower than Cairns (R) (20.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 145 people and 2.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Mooroobool - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Mooroobool in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mooroobool, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
372
% of total
5.2%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
372
5.2%
-0.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
654
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
654
9.2%
-1.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
628
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
628
8.8%
+0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
561
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
561
7.9%
+0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
795
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
795
11.1%
-1.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,419
% of total
19.9%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
1,419
19.9%
-0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,007
% of total
14.1%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
1,007
14.1%
+0.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
866
% of total
12.1%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
866
12.1%
+1.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
701
% of total
9.8%
Change from 2016
+2.1pp
701
9.8%
+2.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
167
% of total
2.3%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
167
2.3%
+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)
-63
-0.8pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-84
-1.0pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+4
+0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+11
+0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-88
-1.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-71
-0.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+8
+0.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+67
+1.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+145
+2.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+27
+0.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for Mooroobool. 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) | 372 | 5.2% | 5.5% | 435 | 6.0% | 6.5% | -63 | -0.8pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 654 | 9.2% | 9.2% | 738 | 10.2% | 9.9% | -84 | -1.0pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 628 | 8.8% | 8.3% | 624 | 8.6% | 8.1% | +4 | +0.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 561 | 7.9% | 7.7% | 550 | 7.6% | 8.0% | +11 | +0.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 795 | 11.1% | 13.2% | 883 | 12.2% | 13.6% | -88 | -1.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,419 | 19.9% | 20.9% | 1,490 | 20.6% | 21.9% | -71 | -0.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,007 | 14.1% | 13.6% | 999 | 13.8% | 13.6% | +8 | +0.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 866 | 12.1% | 11.2% | 799 | 11.1% | 10.4% | +67 | +1.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 701 | 9.8% | 8.8% | 556 | 7.7% | 6.6% | +145 | +2.1pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 167 | 2.3% | 1.5% | 140 | 1.9% | 1.3% | +27 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 7,136 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 7,222 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -86 | 0.0pp |