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 highest income quartile held the largest share among residents aged 15 and over in Glen Eira (C), accounting for 35.6%.

Section overview

Individual income quartiles

Glen Eira (C) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)

This table summarises individual income quartiles for Glen Eira (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.

Individual income quartiles change

Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.

2016
2021

Lowest group

+394

-1.7pp

Medium lowest

+1,872

-0.1pp

Medium highest

+2,459

+0.3pp

Highest group

+4,962

+1.5pp

Data table

Individual income quartiles for Glen Eira (C). Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.

Individual income quartiles for Glen Eira (C). Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
Individual income quartiles for Glen Eira (C). Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
Category20212016Change
Count%Greater Melbourne%Count%Greater Melbourne%Countpp
Lowest group25,98322.3%25.2%25,58924.0%25.7%+394-1.7pp
Medium lowest23,18019.9%23.2%21,30820.0%22.8%+1,872-0.1pp
Medium highest25,88822.2%24.8%23,42921.9%24.6%+2,459+0.3pp
Highest group41,41835.6%26.8%36,45634.1%26.8%+4,962+1.5pp
Total persons aged 15+116,469100.0%100.0%106,782100.0%100.0%+9,6870.0pp