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 lowest income quartile held the largest share among residents aged 15 and over in Springfield (Tas.) (part), accounting for 37.1%.

Section overview

Individual income quartiles

Springfield (Tas.) (part) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)

This table summarises individual income quartiles for Springfield (Tas.) (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Dorset (M) and change since 2016.

Individual income quartiles snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Springfield (Tas.) (part), with comparison markers for Dorset (M).

Springfield (Tas.) (part)
Dorset (M)

Lowest group

2021 count

69

% of total

37.1%

Change from 2016

+9.3pp

Medium lowest

2021 count

45

% of total

24.2%

Change from 2016

-13.3pp

Medium highest

2021 count

44

% of total

23.7%

Change from 2016

+1.5pp

Highest group

2021 count

28

% of total

15.1%

Change from 2016

+2.6pp

Data table

Individual income quartiles for Springfield (Tas.) (part). Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Dorset (M).

Individual income quartiles for Springfield (Tas.) (part). Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Dorset (M).
Individual income quartiles for Springfield (Tas.) (part). Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Dorset (M).
Category20212016Change
Count%Dorset (M)%Count%Dorset (M)%Countpp
Lowest group6937.1%28.8%4027.8%24.5%+29+9.3pp
Medium lowest4524.2%35.6%5437.5%39.0%-9-13.3pp
Medium highest4423.7%22.6%3222.2%23.9%+12+1.5pp
Highest group2815.1%13.0%1812.5%12.6%+10+2.6pp
Total persons aged 15+186100.0%100.0%144100.0%100.0%+420.0pp