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 highest rent quartile held the largest share among households renting their home in North Melbourne, accounting for 33.6%.

Section overview

Housing rental quartiles

North Melbourne - Households (Enumerated)

This table summarises housing rental quartiles for North Melbourne in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Melbourne (C) and change since 2016.

Housing rental quartiles snapshot

2021 distribution by category for North Melbourne, with comparison markers for Melbourne (C).

North Melbourne
Melbourne (C)

Lowest group

2021 count

1,136

% of total

28.3%

Change from 2016

-

Medium lowest

2021 count

640

% of total

15.9%

Change from 2016

-

Medium highest

2021 count

891

% of total

22.2%

Change from 2016

-

Highest group

2021 count

1,347

% of total

33.6%

Change from 2016

-

Data table

Housing rental quartiles for North Melbourne. Housing rental quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Melbourne (C).

Housing rental quartiles for North Melbourne. Housing rental quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Melbourne (C).
Housing rental quartiles for North Melbourne. Housing rental quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Melbourne (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Melbourne (C)%Count%Melbourne (C)%Countpp
Lowest group1,13628.3%19.3%87922.6%11.5%--
Medium lowest64015.9%20.3%56214.5%10.7%--
Medium highest89122.2%27.1%86922.3%21.6%--
Highest group1,34733.6%33.3%1,57940.6%56.2%--
Total households with stated rent4,014100.0%100.0%3,889100.0%100.0%--