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 White Rock (Cairns - Qld), accounting for 20% (983 people). This share was lower than Cairns (R) (20.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which increased by 983 people and 20 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
White Rock (Cairns - Qld) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for White Rock (Cairns - Qld) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for White Rock (Cairns - Qld), with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
339
% of total
6.9%
Change from 2016
+6.9pp
339
6.9%
+6.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
547
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
-27.8pp
547
11.1%
-27.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
406
% of total
8.3%
Change from 2016
+8.3pp
406
8.3%
+8.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
390
% of total
7.9%
Change from 2016
+7.9pp
390
7.9%
+7.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
641
% of total
13.0%
Change from 2016
+13.0pp
641
13.0%
+13.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
983
% of total
20.0%
Change from 2016
+20.0pp
983
20.0%
+20.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
542
% of total
11.0%
Change from 2016
+11.0pp
542
11.0%
+11.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
503
% of total
10.2%
Change from 2016
+10.2pp
503
10.2%
+10.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
471
% of total
9.6%
Change from 2016
-7.1pp
471
9.6%
-7.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
94
% of total
1.9%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
94
1.9%
+1.9pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+339
+6.9pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
+540
-27.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+406
+8.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
+390
+7.9pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+641
+13.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
+983
+20.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+542
+11.0pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+503
+10.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+468
-7.1pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+94
+1.9pp
Data table
Service age groups for White Rock (Cairns - 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) | 339 | 6.9% | 5.5% | 0 | 0.0% | 6.5% | +339 | +6.9pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 547 | 11.1% | 9.2% | 7 | 38.9% | 9.9% | +540 | -27.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 406 | 8.3% | 8.3% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.1% | +406 | +8.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 390 | 7.9% | 7.7% | 0 | 0.0% | 8.0% | +390 | +7.9pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 641 | 13.0% | 13.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 13.6% | +641 | +13.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 983 | 20.0% | 20.9% | 0 | 0.0% | 21.9% | +983 | +20.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 542 | 11.0% | 13.6% | 0 | 0.0% | 13.6% | +542 | +11.0pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 503 | 10.2% | 11.2% | 0 | 0.0% | 10.4% | +503 | +10.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 471 | 9.6% | 8.8% | 3 | 16.7% | 6.6% | +468 | -7.1pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 94 | 1.9% | 1.5% | 0 | 0.0% | 1.3% | +94 | +1.9pp |
| Total | 4,918 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 18 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +4,900 | 0.0pp |