This study focuses on the changing income demographics of South Africa during the period 1996–2006, to arrive at an understanding of the nature and magnitude of changes in income demographics, specifically changes in income distribution disaggregated by sex, age and population group. To investigate such changes, available survey-based income data covering the said period was analysed. The results show that females experienced high levels of income growth during the period under discussion, which was brought about by an improved labour market situation for females due to changing policies and practices. The results also show a growing number of low income earners aged 35 years and older, brought about by a combination of capital intensification of the economy and low labour absorption rates. The percentage contribution of Africans to the highest income groups grew rapidly during 1996–2006 due to various reasons, e.g. higher skills levels and more economic opportunities for this population group. Finally, certain conclusions were arrived at based on the data analysis, namely there is (1) growing income depolarisation and repolarisation in South Africa, (2) increasing complexification of income demographics, (3) increasing feminisation of the income landscape and (4) growing affluence among income earners.