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 Smithfield (Qld), accounting for 22% (1,466 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (20.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24), which increased by 269 people and 2 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Smithfield (Qld) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Smithfield (Qld) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Smithfield (Qld), with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
436
% of total
6.5%
Change from 2016
+0.6pp
436
6.5%
+0.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
643
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
643
9.6%
-0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
490
% of total
7.4%
Change from 2016
+0.5pp
490
7.4%
+0.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
805
% of total
12.1%
Change from 2016
+2.0pp
805
12.1%
+2.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
983
% of total
14.8%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
983
14.8%
-1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
1,466
% of total
22.0%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
1,466
22.0%
-0.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
728
% of total
10.9%
Change from 2016
-1.3pp
728
10.9%
-1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
607
% of total
9.1%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
607
9.1%
+0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
453
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
453
6.8%
+0.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
59
% of total
0.9%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
59
0.9%
-0.6pp
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+122
+0.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+123
-0.2pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+125
+0.5pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+269
+2.0pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+142
-1.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+266
-0.6pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+82
-1.3pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+135
+0.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+97
+0.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-21
-0.6pp
Data table
Service age groups for Smithfield (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) | 436 | 6.5% | 5.5% | 314 | 5.9% | 6.5% | +122 | +0.6pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 643 | 9.6% | 9.2% | 520 | 9.8% | 9.9% | +123 | -0.2pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 490 | 7.4% | 8.3% | 365 | 6.9% | 8.1% | +125 | +0.5pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 805 | 12.1% | 7.7% | 536 | 10.1% | 8.0% | +269 | +2.0pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 983 | 14.8% | 13.2% | 841 | 15.8% | 13.6% | +142 | -1.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 1,466 | 22.0% | 20.9% | 1,200 | 22.6% | 21.9% | +266 | -0.6pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 728 | 10.9% | 13.6% | 646 | 12.2% | 13.6% | +82 | -1.3pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 607 | 9.1% | 11.2% | 472 | 8.9% | 10.4% | +135 | +0.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 453 | 6.8% | 8.8% | 356 | 6.7% | 6.6% | +97 | +0.1pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 59 | 0.9% | 1.5% | 80 | 1.5% | 1.3% | -21 | -0.6pp |
| Total | 6,664 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 5,313 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +1,351 | 0.0pp |