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 highest income quartile held the largest share among residents aged 15 and over in Highgate (SA), accounting for 37%.

Section overview

Individual income quartiles

Highgate (SA) - Persons aged 15+ (Usual residence)

This table summarises individual income quartiles for Highgate (SA) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Unley (C) and change since 2016.

Individual income quartiles snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Highgate (SA), with comparison markers for Unley (C).

Highgate (SA)
Unley (C)

Lowest group

2021 count

303

% of total

24.5%

Change from 2016

-2.6pp

Medium lowest

2021 count

245

% of total

19.8%

Change from 2016

+2.3pp

Medium highest

2021 count

232

% of total

18.7%

Change from 2016

-0.1pp

Highest group

2021 count

458

% of total

37.0%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Data table

Individual income quartiles for Highgate (SA). Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Unley (C).

Individual income quartiles for Highgate (SA). Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Unley (C).
Individual income quartiles for Highgate (SA). Individual income quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Unley (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Unley (C)%Count%Unley (C)%Countpp
Lowest group30324.5%20.9%34227.1%21.4%-39-2.6pp
Medium lowest24519.8%22.6%22117.5%21.6%+24+2.3pp
Medium highest23218.7%22.3%23718.8%21.8%-5-0.1pp
Highest group45837.0%34.2%46136.6%35.2%-3+0.4pp
Total persons aged 15+1,238100.0%100.0%1,261100.0%100.0%-230.0pp