idc-logo
svg rectangle color
Cairns Regional CouncilCommunity profile

In 2021, Cairns had higher proportion of female children (under 18) and a lower proportion of females aged 60 or older than Regional QLD.

The Age Structure of Cairns provides key insights into the level of demand for age based services and facilities such as child care. It is an indicator of Cairns's residential role and function and how it is likely to change in the future.

Service age groups divide the population into age categories that reflect typical life-stages. They indicate the level of demand for services that target people at different stages in life and how that demand is changing.

To get a more complete picture Cairns's Age Structure should be viewed in conjunction with Household Types and Dwelling Types.

Q:

Derived from the Census question:

'What is the person's date of birth or age?'

Age structure - Service age groups
Cairns - Total females (Usual residence)20212016Change
Service age group (years)Number%Regional QLD %Number%Regional QLD %2016 to 2021
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)4,5615.45.24,9406.25.9-379
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)7,4868.88.57,5989.69.0-112
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)6,7408.07.46,1407.77.4+600
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)6,3587.57.76,3077.98.1+51
Young workforce (25 to 34)11,50413.612.511,20214.112.6+302
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)18,40721.819.318,16022.819.9+247
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)11,37013.413.310,75713.513.6+613
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)9,42811.112.27,98510.011.6+1,443
Seniors (70 to 84)7,3058.611.45,1416.59.5+2,164
Elderly aged (85 and over)1,4381.72.41,2841.62.4+154
Total84,597100.0100.079,514100.0100.0+5,083
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2016 and 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (informed decisions).
Please refer to specific data notes for more information

Dominant groups

Analysis of the female service age groups of Cairns in 2021 compared to Regional QLD shows that there was a higher proportion of females in the younger age groups (0 to 17 years) and a lower proportion of females in the older age groups (60+ years).

Overall, 22.2% of the female population was aged between 0 and 17, and 21.5% were aged 60 years and over, compared with 21.1% and 26.0% respectively for Regional QLD.

The major differences between the female age structure of Cairns and Regional QLD were:

  • A larger percentage of 'Parents and homebuilders' (21.8% compared to 19.3%)
  • A larger percentage of 'Young workforce' (13.6% compared to 12.5%)
  • A smaller percentage of 'Seniors' (8.6% compared to 11.4%)
  • A smaller percentage of 'Empty nesters and retirees' (11.1% compared to 12.2%)

Emerging groups

From 2016 to 2021, Cairns's female population increased by 5,083 people (6.4%). This represents an average annual population change of 1.25% per year over the period.

The largest changes in the female age structure in this area between 2016 and 2021 were in the age groups:

  • Seniors (70 to 84) (+2,164 females)
  • Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) (+1,443 females)
  • Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) (+613 females)
  • Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) (+600 females)

DISCLAIMER: While all due care has been taken to ensure that the content of this website is accurate and current, there may be errors or omissions in it and no legal responsibility is accepted for the information and opinions in this website.

Please view our Privacy Policy, Terms of use and Legal notices.

ABS Data and the copyright in the ABS Data remains the property of the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The copyright in the way .id has modified, transformed or reconfigured the ABS Data as published on this website remains the property of .id. ABS Data can be accessed from the Australian Bureau of Statistics at www.abs.gov.au. ABS data can be used under license - terms published on ABS website. intermediary.management@abs.gov.au if you have any queries or wish to distribute any ABS data.