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 Hope Vale (S), accounting for 48.7%.
Section overview
Individual income quartiles
Hope Vale (S) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises individual income quartiles for Hope Vale (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Individual income quartiles snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Hope Vale (S), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Lowest group
2021 count
292
% of total
48.7%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
292
48.7%
+0.3pp
Medium lowest
2021 count
177
% of total
29.5%
Change from 2016
-2.3pp
177
29.5%
-2.3pp
Medium highest
2021 count
87
% of total
14.5%
Change from 2016
+1.9pp
87
14.5%
+1.9pp
Highest group
2021 count
44
% of total
7.3%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
44
7.3%
+0.1pp
Chart view
Individual income quartiles change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Lowest group
+11
+0.3pp
Medium lowest
-8
-2.3pp
Medium highest
+14
+1.9pp
Highest group
+2
+0.1pp
Data table
Individual income quartiles for Hope Vale (S). Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional Qld.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | % | Regional Qld% | Count | pp | |
| Lowest group | 292 | 48.7% | 24.2% | 281 | 48.4% | 22.6% | +11 | +0.3pp |
| Medium lowest | 177 | 29.5% | 28.9% | 185 | 31.8% | 28.7% | -8 | -2.3pp |
| Medium highest | 87 | 14.5% | 25.5% | 73 | 12.6% | 26.1% | +14 | +1.9pp |
| Highest group | 44 | 7.3% | 21.3% | 42 | 7.2% | 22.6% | +2 | +0.1pp |
| Total persons aged 15+ | 600 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 581 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +19 | 0.0pp |