Housing

Housing rental quartiles

About this topic

Housing rental quartiles group renting households into four evenly sized rent bands so rental costs can be compared across places and across Census years. They show the relative rent profile of the renting population rather than fixed weekly rent brackets.

This topic is useful for comparing change over time because direct rent amounts are affected by inflation and broader market shifts. It is best read with household income and tenure when assessing rental affordability and housing stress.

Interpretation notes

  • This is a derived rent distribution for renting households, so quartiles show relative rent position rather than fixed weekly rent bands.
  • Quartiles are more useful than raw rent ranges for comparing rental profiles across areas or years.

Key insight

In 2021, the lowest rent quartile held the largest share among households renting their home in Cooktown, accounting for 59.1%.

Section overview

Housing rental quartiles

Cooktown - Households (Enumerated)

This table summarises housing rental quartiles for Cooktown in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Cook (S) and change since 2016.

Housing rental quartiles snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Cooktown, with comparison markers for Cook (S).

Cooktown
Cook (S)

Lowest group

2021 count

185

% of total

59.1%

Change from 2016

-

Medium lowest

2021 count

67

% of total

21.4%

Change from 2016

-

Medium highest

2021 count

44

% of total

14.1%

Change from 2016

-

Highest group

2021 count

17

% of total

5.4%

Change from 2016

-

Data table

Housing rental quartiles for Cooktown. Housing rental quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cook (S).

Housing rental quartiles for Cooktown. Housing rental quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cook (S).
Housing rental quartiles for Cooktown. Housing rental quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Cook (S).
Category20212016Change
Count%Cook (S)%Count%Cook (S)%Countpp
Lowest group18559.1%68.7%18554.6%67.3%--
Medium lowest6721.4%16.0%7522.1%15.8%--
Medium highest4414.1%10.4%5415.9%10.9%--
Highest group175.4%4.9%257.4%6.0%--
Total households with stated rent313100.0%100.0%339100.0%100.0%--