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 Redlynch, accounting for 24.9% (2,636 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (20.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59), which increased by 194 people and 0.9 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Redlynch - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Redlynch in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Redlynch, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
631
% of total
6.0%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
631
6.0%
-1.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
1,332
% of total
12.6%
Change from 2016
-0.1pp
1,332
12.6%
-0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
1,211
% of total
11.5%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
1,211
11.5%
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
771
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
771
7.3%
+0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
998
% of total
9.4%
Change from 2016
-1.9pp
998
9.4%
-1.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
2,636
% of total
24.9%
Change from 2016
-0.5pp
2,636
24.9%
-0.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
1,434
% of total
13.6%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
1,434
13.6%
+0.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
844
% of total
8.0%
Change from 2016
+0.9pp
844
8.0%
+0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
584
% of total
5.5%
Change from 2016
+1.2pp
584
5.5%
+1.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
144
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
144
1.4%
+0.5pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-90
-1.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+94
-0.1pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+105
+0.1pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+123
+0.6pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-103
-1.9pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+166
-0.5pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+194
+0.9pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+157
+0.9pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+166
+1.2pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+55
+0.5pp
Data table
Service age groups for Redlynch. 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) | 631 | 6.0% | 5.5% | 721 | 7.4% | 6.5% | -90 | -1.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 1,332 | 12.6% | 9.2% | 1,238 | 12.7% | 9.9% | +94 | -0.1pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 1,211 | 11.5% | 8.3% | 1,106 | 11.4% | 8.1% | +105 | +0.1pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 771 | 7.3% | 7.7% | 648 | 6.7% | 8.0% | +123 | +0.6pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 998 | 9.4% | 13.2% | 1,101 | 11.3% | 13.6% | -103 | -1.9pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 2,636 | 24.9% | 20.9% | 2,470 | 25.4% | 21.9% | +166 | -0.5pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 1,434 | 13.6% | 13.6% | 1,240 | 12.7% | 13.6% | +194 | +0.9pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 844 | 8.0% | 11.2% | 687 | 7.1% | 10.4% | +157 | +0.9pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 584 | 5.5% | 8.8% | 418 | 4.3% | 6.6% | +166 | +1.2pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 144 | 1.4% | 1.5% | 89 | 0.9% | 1.3% | +55 | +0.5pp |
| Total | 10,571 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 9,728 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +843 | 0.0pp |