Income
Individual income quartiles
About this topic
Individual income quartiles group people aged 15 years and over into four evenly sized income ranges so the distribution of personal income can be compared objectively across areas and over time. The quartile method focuses on relative position in the income distribution rather than raw dollar brackets.
This topic is useful because direct income amounts are affected by inflation and wider economic change. Quartiles provide a clearer way to compare whether an area is becoming relatively lower, middle, or higher income over time.
Interpretation notes
- This is a derived distribution of personal income for people aged 15 years and over, with each quartile representing a quarter of the income distribution.
- Quartiles show relative position rather than fixed dollar brackets, which makes them more robust for comparisons over time.
Key insight
In 2021, the medium-low income quartile held the largest share among residents aged 15 and over in Empire Vale, accounting for 41%.
Section overview
Individual income quartiles
Empire Vale - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises individual income quartiles for Empire Vale in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Ballina (A) and change since 2016.
Individual income quartiles snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Empire Vale, with comparison markers for Ballina (A).
Lowest group
2021 count
40
% of total
25.6%
Change from 2016
-4.7pp
40
25.6%
-4.7pp
Medium lowest
2021 count
64
% of total
41.0%
Change from 2016
+12.8pp
64
41.0%
+12.8pp
Medium highest
2021 count
29
% of total
18.6%
Change from 2016
-4.6pp
29
18.6%
-4.6pp
Highest group
2021 count
23
% of total
14.7%
Change from 2016
-3.6pp
23
14.7%
-3.6pp
Chart view
Individual income quartiles change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Lowest group
-3
-4.7pp
Medium lowest
+24
+12.8pp
Medium highest
-4
-4.6pp
Highest group
-3
-3.6pp
Data table
Individual income quartiles for Empire Vale. Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Ballina (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Ballina (A)% | Count | % | Ballina (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Lowest group | 40 | 25.6% | 21.3% | 43 | 30.3% | 19.8% | -3 | -4.7pp |
| Medium lowest | 64 | 41.0% | 32.7% | 40 | 28.2% | 33.4% | +24 | +12.8pp |
| Medium highest | 29 | 18.6% | 26.1% | 33 | 23.2% | 27.0% | -4 | -4.6pp |
| Highest group | 23 | 14.7% | 19.9% | 26 | 18.3% | 19.8% | -3 | -3.6pp |
| Total persons aged 15+ | 156 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 142 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +14 | 0.0pp |