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, Young workforce (25 to 34) was the most common category among residents in Mount Peter, accounting for 21.6% (149 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (13.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Young workforce (25 to 34), which increased by 143 people and 15.1 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Mount Peter - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Mount Peter in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Mount Peter, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
72
% of total
10.4%
Change from 2016
+7.1pp
72
10.4%
+7.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
91
% of total
13.2%
Change from 2016
+3.4pp
91
13.2%
+3.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
43
% of total
6.2%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
43
6.2%
-2.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
61
% of total
8.9%
Change from 2016
+8.9pp
61
8.9%
+8.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
149
% of total
21.6%
Change from 2016
+15.1pp
149
21.6%
+15.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
141
% of total
20.5%
Change from 2016
+10.7pp
141
20.5%
+10.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
50
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
-7.9pp
50
7.3%
-7.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
46
% of total
6.7%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
46
6.7%
-0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
28
% of total
4.1%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
28
4.1%
+0.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
3
% of total
0.4%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
3
0.4%
-2.9pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+69
+7.1pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+82
+3.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+35
-2.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+61
+8.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+143
+15.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+132
+10.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+36
-7.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+39
-0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+25
+0.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
0
-2.9pp
Data table
Service age groups for Mount Peter. 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) | 72 | 10.4% | 5.5% | 3 | 3.3% | 6.5% | +69 | +7.1pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 91 | 13.2% | 9.2% | 9 | 9.8% | 9.9% | +82 | +3.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 43 | 6.2% | 8.3% | 8 | 8.7% | 8.1% | +35 | -2.5pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 61 | 8.9% | 7.7% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.0% | +61 | +8.9pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 149 | 21.6% | 13.2% | 6 | 6.5% | 13.6% | +143 | +15.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 141 | 20.5% | 20.9% | 9 | 9.8% | 21.9% | +132 | +10.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 50 | 7.3% | 13.6% | 14 | 15.2% | 13.6% | +36 | -7.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 46 | 6.7% | 11.2% | 7 | 7.6% | 10.4% | +39 | -0.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 28 | 4.1% | 8.8% | 3 | 3.3% | 6.6% | +25 | +0.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 3 | 0.4% | 1.5% | 3 | 3.3% | 1.3% | 0 | -2.9pp |
| Total | 689 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 92 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +597 | 0.0pp |