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 Moreton Bay (R), accounting for 27.9%.

Section overview

Individual income quartiles

Moreton Bay (R) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)

This table summarises individual income quartiles for Moreton Bay (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Brisbane and change since 2016.

Individual income quartiles change

Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.

2016
2021

Lowest group

+17,291

+1.8pp

Medium lowest

+16,290

+0.9pp

Medium highest

+10,777

-0.6pp

Highest group

+4,208

-2.0pp

Data table

Individual income quartiles for Moreton Bay (R). Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Brisbane.

Individual income quartiles for Moreton Bay (R). Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Brisbane.
Individual income quartiles for Moreton Bay (R). Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Brisbane.
Category20212016Change
Count%Greater Brisbane%Count%Greater Brisbane%Countpp
Lowest group86,98624.3%23.4%69,69522.5%22.9%+17,291+1.8pp
Medium lowest99,88627.9%24.8%83,59627.0%23.9%+16,290+0.9pp
Medium highest94,40626.4%25.9%83,62927.0%25.9%+10,777-0.6pp
Highest group76,46221.4%25.9%72,25423.4%27.3%+4,208-2.0pp
Total persons aged 15+357,740100.0%100.0%309,174100.0%100.0%+48,5660.0pp