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 Whitfield (Qld), accounting for 19.8% (842 people). This share was lower than Cairns (R) (20.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 148 people and 3.4 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Whitfield (Qld) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Whitfield (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 Whitfield (Qld), with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
161
% of total
3.8%
Change from 2016
-1.6pp
161
3.8%
-1.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
364
% of total
8.5%
Change from 2016
-1.8pp
364
8.5%
-1.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
366
% of total
8.6%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
366
8.6%
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
224
% of total
5.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
224
5.3%
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
486
% of total
11.4%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
486
11.4%
+2.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
842
% of total
19.8%
Change from 2016
-3.4pp
842
19.8%
-3.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
661
% of total
15.5%
Change from 2016
+1.5pp
661
15.5%
+1.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
478
% of total
11.2%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
478
11.2%
+0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
502
% of total
11.8%
Change from 2016
+2.3pp
502
11.8%
+2.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
177
% of total
4.2%
Change from 2016
+0.7pp
177
4.2%
+0.7pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-68
-1.6pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-76
-1.8pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+13
+0.3pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-9
-0.2pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+97
+2.3pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-148
-3.4pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
+64
+1.5pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+4
+0.1pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+95
+2.3pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+28
+0.7pp
Data table
Service age groups for Whitfield (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) | 161 | 3.8% | 5.5% | 229 | 5.4% | 6.5% | -68 | -1.6pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 364 | 8.5% | 9.2% | 440 | 10.3% | 9.9% | -76 | -1.8pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 366 | 8.6% | 8.3% | 353 | 8.3% | 8.1% | +13 | +0.3pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 224 | 5.3% | 7.7% | 233 | 5.5% | 8.0% | -9 | -0.2pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 486 | 11.4% | 13.2% | 389 | 9.1% | 13.6% | +97 | +2.3pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 842 | 19.8% | 20.9% | 990 | 23.2% | 21.9% | -148 | -3.4pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 661 | 15.5% | 13.6% | 597 | 14.0% | 13.6% | +64 | +1.5pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 478 | 11.2% | 11.2% | 474 | 11.1% | 10.4% | +4 | +0.1pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 502 | 11.8% | 8.8% | 407 | 9.5% | 6.6% | +95 | +2.3pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 177 | 4.2% | 1.5% | 149 | 3.5% | 1.3% | +28 | +0.7pp |
| Total | 4,262 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 4,275 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -13 | 0.0pp |