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 Redpa, accounting for 35.6%.

Section overview

Individual income quartiles

Redpa - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)

This table summarises individual income quartiles for Redpa in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Circular Head (M) and change since 2016.

Individual income quartiles snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Redpa, with comparison markers for Circular Head (M).

Redpa
Circular Head (M)

Lowest group

2021 count

16

% of total

21.9%

Change from 2016

+3.1pp

Medium lowest

2021 count

26

% of total

35.6%

Change from 2016

-0.3pp

Medium highest

2021 count

20

% of total

27.4%

Change from 2016

-3.9pp

Highest group

2021 count

11

% of total

15.1%

Change from 2016

+1.0pp

Data table

Individual income quartiles for Redpa. Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Circular Head (M).

Individual income quartiles for Redpa. Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Circular Head (M).
Individual income quartiles for Redpa. Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Circular Head (M).
Category20212016Change
Count%Circular Head (M)%Count%Circular Head (M)%Countpp
Lowest group1621.9%26.0%1218.8%21.7%+4+3.1pp
Medium lowest2635.6%31.6%2335.9%32.7%+3-0.3pp
Medium highest2027.4%27.2%2031.3%29.2%0-3.9pp
Highest group1115.1%15.2%914.1%16.5%+2+1.0pp
Total persons aged 15+73100.0%100.0%64100.0%100.0%+90.0pp