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 Palm Island (S), accounting for 49.5%.
Section overview
Individual income quartiles
Palm Island (S) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises individual income quartiles for Palm Island (S) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Individual income quartiles snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Palm Island (S), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Lowest group
2021 count
644
% of total
49.5%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
644
49.5%
-1.4pp
Medium lowest
2021 count
411
% of total
31.6%
Change from 2016
+5.1pp
411
31.6%
+5.1pp
Medium highest
2021 count
167
% of total
12.8%
Change from 2016
-2.8pp
167
12.8%
-2.8pp
Highest group
2021 count
79
% of total
6.1%
Change from 2016
-0.8pp
79
6.1%
-0.8pp
Chart view
Individual income quartiles change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Lowest group
-167
-1.4pp
Medium lowest
-11
+5.1pp
Medium highest
-82
-2.8pp
Highest group
-31
-0.8pp
Data table
Individual income quartiles for Palm Island (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 | 644 | 49.5% | 24.2% | 811 | 50.9% | 22.6% | -167 | -1.4pp |
| Medium lowest | 411 | 31.6% | 28.9% | 422 | 26.5% | 28.7% | -11 | +5.1pp |
| Medium highest | 167 | 12.8% | 25.5% | 249 | 15.6% | 26.1% | -82 | -2.8pp |
| Highest group | 79 | 6.1% | 21.3% | 110 | 6.9% | 22.6% | -31 | -0.8pp |
| Total persons aged 15+ | 1,301 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,592 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -291 | 0.0pp |