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-high income quartile held the largest share among residents aged 15 and over in Southern Mallee (DC), accounting for 31.4%.
Section overview
Individual income quartiles
Southern Mallee (DC) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)
This table summarises individual income quartiles for Southern Mallee (DC) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional SA and change since 2016.
Individual income quartiles snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Southern Mallee (DC), with comparison markers for Regional SA.
Lowest group
2021 count
330
% of total
22.5%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
330
22.5%
+2.7pp
Medium lowest
2021 count
444
% of total
30.3%
Change from 2016
-2.9pp
444
30.3%
-2.9pp
Medium highest
2021 count
460
% of total
31.4%
Change from 2016
+3.0pp
460
31.4%
+3.0pp
Highest group
2021 count
233
% of total
15.9%
Change from 2016
-2.6pp
233
15.9%
-2.6pp
Chart view
Individual income quartiles change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Lowest group
+33
+2.7pp
Medium lowest
-55
-2.9pp
Medium highest
+33
+3.0pp
Highest group
-45
-2.6pp
Data table
Individual income quartiles for Southern Mallee (DC). Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Regional SA.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Regional SA% | Count | % | Regional SA% | Count | pp | |
| Lowest group | 330 | 22.5% | 25.7% | 297 | 19.8% | 22.8% | +33 | +2.7pp |
| Medium lowest | 444 | 30.3% | 33.6% | 499 | 33.2% | 33.6% | -55 | -2.9pp |
| Medium highest | 460 | 31.4% | 24.6% | 427 | 28.4% | 25.8% | +33 | +3.0pp |
| Highest group | 233 | 15.9% | 16.2% | 278 | 18.5% | 17.8% | -45 | -2.6pp |
| Total persons aged 15+ | 1,467 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 1,501 | 100.0% | 100.0% | -34 | 0.0pp |