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, Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) was the most common category among residents in Woopen Creek, accounting for 26.7% (36 people). This share was higher than Cairns (R) (11.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49), which decreased by 309 people and 11 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Woopen Creek - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Woopen Creek in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cairns (R) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Woopen Creek, with comparison markers for Cairns (R).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-5.4pp
0
0.0%
-5.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-12.6pp
0
0.0%
-12.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
6
% of total
4.4%
Change from 2016
-4.9pp
6
4.4%
-4.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
3
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-6.1pp
3
2.2%
-6.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
3
% of total
2.2%
Change from 2016
-6.0pp
3
2.2%
-6.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
20
% of total
14.8%
Change from 2016
-11.0pp
20
14.8%
-11.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
19
% of total
14.1%
Change from 2016
-1.1pp
19
14.1%
-1.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
36
% of total
26.7%
Change from 2016
+15.2pp
36
26.7%
+15.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
15
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
+6.4pp
15
11.1%
+6.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
0
% of total
0.0%
Change from 2016
-0.9pp
0
0.0%
-0.9pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
-69
-5.4pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-161
-12.6pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
-112
-4.9pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-103
-6.1pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
-102
-6.0pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
-309
-11.0pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-175
-1.1pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
-111
+15.2pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
-45
+6.4pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
-12
-0.9pp
Data table
Service age groups for Woopen Creek. 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) | 0 | 0.0% | 5.5% | 69 | 5.4% | 6.5% | -69 | -5.4pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 0 | 0.0% | 9.2% | 161 | 12.6% | 9.9% | -161 | -12.6pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 6 | 4.4% | 8.3% | 118 | 9.3% | 8.1% | -112 | -4.9pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 3 | 2.2% | 7.7% | 106 | 8.3% | 8.0% | -103 | -6.1pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 3 | 2.2% | 13.2% | 105 | 8.2% | 13.6% | -102 | -6.0pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 20 | 14.8% | 20.9% | 329 | 25.8% | 21.9% | -309 | -11.0pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 19 | 14.1% | 13.6% | 194 | 15.2% | 13.6% | -175 | -1.1pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 36 | 26.7% | 11.2% | 147 | 11.5% | 10.4% | -111 | +15.2pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 15 | 11.1% | 8.8% | 60 | 4.7% | 6.6% | -45 | +6.4pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 0 | 0.0% | 1.5% | 12 | 0.9% | 1.3% | -12 | -0.9pp |
| Total | 135 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,273 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -1,138 | 0.0pp |