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 Terania Creek, accounting for 43.2%.

Section overview

Individual income quartiles

Terania Creek - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)

This table summarises individual income quartiles for Terania Creek in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Lismore (C) and change since 2016.

Individual income quartiles snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Terania Creek, with comparison markers for Lismore (C).

Terania Creek
Lismore (C)

Lowest group

2021 count

38

% of total

23.5%

Change from 2016

-3.8pp

Medium lowest

2021 count

70

% of total

43.2%

Change from 2016

+2.3pp

Medium highest

2021 count

40

% of total

24.7%

Change from 2016

-2.6pp

Highest group

2021 count

14

% of total

8.6%

Change from 2016

+4.1pp

Data table

Individual income quartiles for Terania Creek. Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Lismore (C).

Individual income quartiles for Terania Creek. Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Lismore (C).
Individual income quartiles for Terania Creek. Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Lismore (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Lismore (C)%Count%Lismore (C)%Countpp
Lowest group3823.5%23.1%627.3%23.0%+32-3.8pp
Medium lowest7043.2%34.3%940.9%33.9%+61+2.3pp
Medium highest4024.7%26.9%627.3%27.5%+34-2.6pp
Highest group148.6%15.7%14.5%15.6%+13+4.1pp
Total persons aged 15+162100.0%100.0%22100.0%100.0%+1400.0pp