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 South Arm (Nambucca Valley - NSW), accounting for 44.9%.
Section overview
Individual income quartiles
South Arm (Nambucca Valley - NSW) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises individual income quartiles for South Arm (Nambucca Valley - NSW) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Nambucca (A) and change since 2016.
Individual income quartiles snapshot
2021 distribution by category for South Arm (Nambucca Valley - NSW), with comparison markers for Nambucca (A).
Lowest group
2021 count
80
% of total
35.2%
Change from 2016
+12.0pp
80
35.2%
+12.0pp
Medium lowest
2021 count
102
% of total
44.9%
Change from 2016
+3.5pp
102
44.9%
+3.5pp
Medium highest
2021 count
30
% of total
13.2%
Change from 2016
-8.7pp
30
13.2%
-8.7pp
Highest group
2021 count
15
% of total
6.6%
Change from 2016
-6.9pp
15
6.6%
-6.9pp
Chart view
Individual income quartiles change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Lowest group
+6
+12.0pp
Medium lowest
-30
+3.5pp
Medium highest
-40
-8.7pp
Highest group
-28
-6.9pp
Data table
Individual income quartiles for South Arm (Nambucca Valley - NSW). Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Nambucca (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Nambucca (A)% | Count | % | Nambucca (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Lowest group | 80 | 35.2% | 29.6% | 74 | 23.2% | 24.1% | +6 | +12.0pp |
| Medium lowest | 102 | 44.9% | 38.9% | 132 | 41.4% | 41.2% | -30 | +3.5pp |
| Medium highest | 30 | 13.2% | 20.5% | 70 | 21.9% | 22.9% | -40 | -8.7pp |
| Highest group | 15 | 6.6% | 11.0% | 43 | 13.5% | 11.8% | -28 | -6.9pp |
| Total persons aged 15+ | 227 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 319 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -92 | 0.0pp |