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 Central Highlands (M) (Tas.), accounting for 35.3%.

Section overview

Individual income quartiles

Central Highlands (M) (Tas.) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)

This table summarises individual income quartiles for Central Highlands (M) (Tas.) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Tas. and change since 2016.

Individual income quartiles snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Central Highlands (M) (Tas.), with comparison markers for Regional Tas..

Central Highlands (M) (Tas.)
Regional Tas.

Lowest group

2021 count

536

% of total

28.0%

Change from 2016

+2.6pp

Medium lowest

2021 count

674

% of total

35.3%

Change from 2016

-2.6pp

Medium highest

2021 count

441

% of total

23.1%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Highest group

2021 count

260

% of total

13.6%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Data table

Individual income quartiles for Central Highlands (M) (Tas.). Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Tas..

Individual income quartiles for Central Highlands (M) (Tas.). Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Tas..
Individual income quartiles for Central Highlands (M) (Tas.). Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Tas..
Category20212016Change
Count%Regional Tas.%Count%Regional Tas.%Countpp
Lowest group53628.0%26.0%41325.4%23.8%+123+2.6pp
Medium lowest67435.3%33.2%61637.9%34.2%+58-2.6pp
Medium highest44123.1%24.7%37723.2%25.3%+64-0.1pp
Highest group26013.6%16.1%22013.5%16.7%+40+0.1pp
Total persons aged 15+1,911100.0%100.0%1,626100.0%100.0%+2850.0pp