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, Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) was the most common category among residents in Palm Cove, accounting for 20.4% (500 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (11.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 164 people and 4.8 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Palm Cove - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Palm Cove in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Palm Cove, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
61
% of total
2.5%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
61
2.5%
-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
147
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
147
6.0%
-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
121
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
121
4.9%
-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
106
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
106
4.3%
-0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
176
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
176
7.2%
-3.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
449
% of total
18.3%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
449
18.3%
-2.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
475
% of total
19.4%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
475
19.4%
+2.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
500
% of total
20.4%
Change from 2016
+1.0pp
500
20.4%
+1.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
398
% of total
16.2%
Change from 2016
+4.8pp
398
16.2%
+4.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
20
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
20
0.8%
+0.3pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-5
-0.7pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+15
-0.4pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+13
-0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+15
-0.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-42
-3.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+16
-2.7pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+116
+2.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+101
+1.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+164
+4.8pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+9
+0.3pp
Data table
Service age groups for Palm Cove. 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) | 61 | 2.5% | 5.5% | 66 | 3.2% | 6.5% | -5 | -0.7pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 147 | 6.0% | 9.2% | 132 | 6.4% | 9.9% | +15 | -0.4pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 121 | 4.9% | 8.3% | 108 | 5.2% | 8.1% | +13 | -0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 106 | 4.3% | 7.7% | 91 | 4.4% | 8.0% | +15 | -0.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 176 | 7.2% | 13.2% | 218 | 10.6% | 13.6% | -42 | -3.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 449 | 18.3% | 20.9% | 433 | 21.0% | 21.9% | +16 | -2.7pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 475 | 19.4% | 13.6% | 359 | 17.4% | 13.6% | +116 | +2.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 500 | 20.4% | 11.2% | 399 | 19.4% | 10.4% | +101 | +1.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 398 | 16.2% | 8.8% | 234 | 11.4% | 6.6% | +164 | +4.8pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 20 | 0.8% | 1.5% | 11 | 0.5% | 1.3% | +9 | +0.3pp |
| Total | 2,450 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 2,059 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +391 | 0.0pp |