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 Hillcrest (Tas.), accounting for 34.7%.

Section overview

Individual income quartiles

Hillcrest (Tas.) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)

This table summarises individual income quartiles for Hillcrest (Tas.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Burnie (C) and change since 2016.

Individual income quartiles snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Hillcrest (Tas.), with comparison markers for Burnie (C).

Hillcrest (Tas.)
Burnie (C)

Lowest group

2021 count

222

% of total

26.8%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Medium lowest

2021 count

287

% of total

34.7%

Change from 2016

+9.4pp

Medium highest

2021 count

224

% of total

27.1%

Change from 2016

+4.6pp

Highest group

2021 count

95

% of total

11.5%

Change from 2016

-13.9pp

Data table

Individual income quartiles for Hillcrest (Tas.). Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Burnie (C).

Individual income quartiles for Hillcrest (Tas.). Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Burnie (C).
Individual income quartiles for Hillcrest (Tas.). Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Burnie (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Burnie (C)%Count%Burnie (C)%Countpp
Lowest group22226.8%25.8%48226.8%24.4%-2600.0pp
Medium lowest28734.7%32.6%45625.3%33.4%-169+9.4pp
Medium highest22427.1%24.5%40622.5%25.3%-182+4.6pp
Highest group9511.5%17.1%45725.4%16.9%-362-13.9pp
Total persons aged 15+828100.0%100.0%1,801100.0%100.0%-9730.0pp