Income
Household income quartiles
About this topic
Household income quartiles group households into four evenly sized income ranges so relative income position can be compared across places and across Census years. They provide a distribution view of household income rather than a simple count in fixed dollar brackets.
This topic is useful because raw household income amounts are influenced by inflation and broader economic shifts. Quartiles make it easier to see whether an area's households are concentrated toward lower, middle, or higher income positions over time.
Interpretation notes
- This is a derived distribution of total household income, so each quartile shows relative position rather than a fixed income bracket.
- It is useful for over-time comparison because quartile groupings are less distorted by inflation than raw dollar bands.
Key insight
In 2021, the lowest household income quartile held the largest share among households with income in Western Downs (R), accounting for 30.8%.
Section overview
Household income quartiles
Western Downs (R) - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises household income quartiles for Western Downs (R) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Regional Qld and change since 2016.
Household income quartiles snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Western Downs (R), with comparison markers for Regional Qld.
Lowest group
2021 count
3,297
% of total
30.8%
Change from 2016
-
3,297
30.8%
-
Medium lowest
2021 count
2,946
% of total
27.5%
Change from 2016
-
2,946
27.5%
-
Medium highest
2021 count
2,595
% of total
24.3%
Change from 2016
-
2,595
24.3%
-
Highest group
2021 count
1,861
% of total
17.4%
Change from 2016
-
1,861
17.4%
-
Chart view
Household income quartiles change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Lowest group
-
-
Medium lowest
-
-
Medium highest
-
-
Highest group
-
-
Data table
Household income quartiles for Western Downs (R). Household 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 | 3,297 | 30.8% | 27.9% | 3,004 | 29.9% | 28.0% | - | - |
| Medium lowest | 2,946 | 27.5% | 26.0% | 2,715 | 27.0% | 26.5% | - | - |
| Medium highest | 2,595 | 24.3% | 24.5% | 2,394 | 23.8% | 24.3% | - | - |
| Highest group | 1,861 | 17.4% | 21.6% | 1,948 | 19.4% | 21.2% | - | - |
| Total Households | 10,699 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 10,061 | 100.0% | 100.0% | - | - |