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 Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69), which increased by 477 people and 8.5 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
+2.5pp
61
2.5%
+2.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
147
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-1.7pp
147
6.0%
-1.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
121
% of total
4.9%
Change from 2016
-3.9pp
121
4.9%
-3.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
106
% of total
4.3%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
106
4.3%
-0.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
176
% of total
7.2%
Change from 2016
+3.6pp
176
7.2%
+3.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
449
% of total
18.3%
Change from 2016
-4.4pp
449
18.3%
-4.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
475
% of total
19.4%
Change from 2016
+6.5pp
475
19.4%
+6.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
500
% of total
20.4%
Change from 2016
+8.5pp
500
20.4%
+8.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
398
% of total
16.2%
Change from 2016
+5.4pp
398
16.2%
+5.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
20
% of total
0.8%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
20
0.8%
+0.8pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+61
+2.5pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+132
-1.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+104
-3.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+96
-0.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+169
+3.6pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+405
-4.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+450
+6.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+477
+8.5pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+377
+5.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+20
+0.8pp
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% | 0 | 0.0% | 6.5% | +61 | +2.5pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 147 | 6.0% | 9.2% | 15 | 7.7% | 9.9% | +132 | -1.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 121 | 4.9% | 8.3% | 17 | 8.8% | 8.1% | +104 | -3.9pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 106 | 4.3% | 7.7% | 10 | 5.2% | 8.0% | +96 | -0.9pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 176 | 7.2% | 13.2% | 7 | 3.6% | 13.6% | +169 | +3.6pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 449 | 18.3% | 20.9% | 44 | 22.7% | 21.9% | +405 | -4.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 475 | 19.4% | 13.6% | 25 | 12.9% | 13.6% | +450 | +6.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 500 | 20.4% | 11.2% | 23 | 11.9% | 10.4% | +477 | +8.5pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 398 | 16.2% | 8.8% | 21 | 10.8% | 6.6% | +377 | +5.4pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 20 | 0.8% | 1.5% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.3% | +20 | +0.8pp |
| Total | 2,450 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 194 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +2,256 | 0.0pp |