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 Cairns (R), accounting for 20.9% (34,918 people). This share was higher than Regional Qld (19%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Seniors (70 to 84), which increased by 4,344 people and 2.2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Cairns (R) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Cairns (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Cairns (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
9,213
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
9,213
5.5%
-1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
15,438
% of total
9.2%
Change from 2016
-0.7pp
15,438
9.2%
-0.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
13,810
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
13,810
8.3%
+0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
12,865
% of total
7.7%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
12,865
7.7%
-0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
22,027
% of total
13.2%
Change from 2016
-0.4pp
22,027
13.2%
-0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
34,918
% of total
20.9%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
34,918
20.9%
-1.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
22,760
% of total
13.6%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
22,760
13.6%
0.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
18,701
% of total
11.2%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
18,701
11.2%
+0.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
14,753
% of total
8.8%
Change from 2016
+2.2pp
14,753
8.8%
+2.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
2,463
% of total
1.5%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
2,463
1.5%
+0.2pp
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-1,005
-1.0pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-163
-0.7pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+1,157
+0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+284
-0.3pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+711
-0.4pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+494
-1.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+1,381
0.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+2,376
+0.8pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+4,344
+2.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+486
+0.2pp
Data table
Service age groups for Cairns (R). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 9,213 | 5.5% | 5.4% | 10,218 | 6.5% | 6.1% | -1,005 | -1.0pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 15,438 | 9.2% | 8.9% | 15,601 | 9.9% | 9.4% | -163 | -0.7pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 13,810 | 8.3% | 7.8% | 12,653 | 8.1% | 7.7% | +1,157 | +0.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 12,865 | 7.7% | 7.9% | 12,581 | 8.0% | 8.3% | +284 | -0.3pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 22,027 | 13.2% | 12.4% | 21,316 | 13.6% | 12.4% | +711 | -0.4pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 34,918 | 20.9% | 19.0% | 34,424 | 21.9% | 19.6% | +494 | -1.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 22,760 | 13.6% | 13.2% | 21,379 | 13.6% | 13.4% | +1,381 | 0.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 18,701 | 11.2% | 12.2% | 16,325 | 10.4% | 11.7% | +2,376 | +0.8pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 14,753 | 8.8% | 11.3% | 10,409 | 6.6% | 9.4% | +4,344 | +2.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 2,463 | 1.5% | 2.1% | 1,977 | 1.3% | 1.9% | +486 | +0.2pp |
| Total | 166,943 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 156,901 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +10,042 | 0.0pp |