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 Mount Sheridan (Qld), accounting for 21.2% (1,843 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (20.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 177 people and 1.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Mount Sheridan (Qld) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Mount Sheridan (Qld) 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 Sheridan (Qld), with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
544
% of total
6.3%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
544
6.3%
-1.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
935
% of total
10.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
935
10.8%
+0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
780
% of total
9.0%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
780
9.0%
-0.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
651
% of total
7.5%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
651
7.5%
0.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
1,134
% of total
13.1%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
1,134
13.1%
+0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,843
% of total
21.2%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
1,843
21.2%
-2.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,196
% of total
13.8%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
1,196
13.8%
+0.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
880
% of total
10.1%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
880
10.1%
+0.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
621
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
621
7.2%
+1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
70
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.4pp
70
0.8%
+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)
-83
-1.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+52
+0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-31
-0.8pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+29
0.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+100
+0.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-97
-2.3pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+127
+0.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+110
+0.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+177
+1.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+37
+0.4pp
Data table
Service age groups for Mount Sheridan (Qld). 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) | 544 | 6.3% | 5.5% | 627 | 7.6% | 6.5% | -83 | -1.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 935 | 10.8% | 9.2% | 883 | 10.7% | 9.9% | +52 | +0.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 780 | 9.0% | 8.3% | 811 | 9.8% | 8.1% | -31 | -0.8pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 651 | 7.5% | 7.7% | 622 | 7.5% | 8.0% | +29 | 0.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 1,134 | 13.1% | 13.2% | 1,034 | 12.5% | 13.6% | +100 | +0.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,843 | 21.2% | 20.9% | 1,940 | 23.5% | 21.9% | -97 | -2.3pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,196 | 13.8% | 13.6% | 1,069 | 12.9% | 13.6% | +127 | +0.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 880 | 10.1% | 11.2% | 770 | 9.3% | 10.4% | +110 | +0.8pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 621 | 7.2% | 8.8% | 444 | 5.4% | 6.6% | +177 | +1.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 70 | 0.8% | 1.5% | 33 | 0.4% | 1.3% | +37 | +0.4pp |
| Total | 8,678 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 8,271 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +407 | 0.0pp |