Rutherford
Rutherford's 13,091 residents live in a suburb where 87.1% of dwellings are separate houses, yet the area is growing at 2.5% a year. Its median age of 35 is 5.0 years below the national figure, giving it a younger profile than the aging trajectory might suggest. Internal migration is the main growth driver, while population change across the wider area reached 50.8% over 10 years. Compared with the larger Maitland centre, Rutherford is more oriented toward detached housing and car travel, with 78.7% driving to work. The mix suits families and trade-linked households, but an IRSAD decile of 3 places it below more advantaged parts of the Hunter.
Population
13,091
Median Age
35.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,475/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
126
Homebuyers are choosing a predominantly low-rise market: 87.1% of dwellings are separate houses, compared with 10.9% semi-detached homes and 1.9% apartments. The floorplan mix leans family-sized, with 43.6% three-bedroom and 39.5% four-bedroom-plus dwellings. Monthly mortgage payments are $1,733, while mortgage costs equal 27.1% of household income, compared with a 24.4% rent-to-income measure. Ownership is split between 24.3% outright owners and 36.7% mortgaged households, so buyers face an established owner market rather than an apartment-heavy entry point. Compared with nearby Maitland, Rutherford's detached stock can suit buyers wanting space, but the 78.7% car-driver share means transport costs should be included in affordability planning.
For Buyers
Homebuyers are choosing a predominantly low-rise market: 87.1% of dwellings are separate houses, compared with 10.9% semi-detached homes and 1.9% apartments. The floorplan mix leans family-sized, with 43.6% three-bedroom and 39.5% four-bedroom-plus dwellings. Monthly mortgage payments are $1,733, while mortgage costs equal 27.1% of household income, compared with a 24.4% rent-to-income measure. Ownership is split between 24.3% outright owners and 36.7% mortgaged households, so buyers face an established owner market rather than an apartment-heavy entry point. Compared with nearby Maitland, Rutherford's detached stock can suit buyers wanting space, but the 78.7% car-driver share means transport costs should be included in affordability planning.
For Investors
Rental demand has a substantial base: 34.3% of occupied dwellings are rented, compared with 24.3% owned outright and 36.7% held with a mortgage. Weekly rent is $360 and vacancy is 4.5%, so investors should test achievable rent against property condition, tenant appeal and current competition rather than assume automatic scarcity. Rental growth of 29.0% supports monitoring income momentum, while 125 development applications in 12 months indicate a sizeable pipeline that could add both housing and competition. Internal migration is the primary forecast driver, which can support tenant demand. Detached houses make up 87.1% of stock, higher than the 1.9% apartment share, making family houses the most relevant investment comparison.
Development Activity
Total DAs
819
Last 12 Months
126
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+23.5%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Rutherford
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Demographics
Rutherford has a family and Anglo-leaning profile, with a median age of 35, 5.0 years below the national comparison, and average household size of 2.6, only 0.1 above the national figure. English ancestry is recorded for 5,441 people, ahead of Scottish at 1,289 and Irish at 1,181. Couples with children account for 39.9% of families, while one-parent families account for 22.0%, shaping demand for practical three and four-bedroom homes. University attainment is 14.6%, 15.5 percentage points below the national level, and overseas-born residents are 9.1%, 12.5 points below national. Compared with nearby Maitland, Rutherford presents a more locally settled feel: 74.9% stayed at the same address five years earlier, versus 25.1% turnover.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
87.1%
Houses
10.9%
Townhouse
1.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Housing is overwhelmingly detached and split between ownership, mortgages and renting. Separate houses account for 87.1% of dwellings, versus 10.9% semi-detached and 1.9% apartments. Tenure is divided between 24.3% owned outright, 36.7% with a mortgage and 34.3% rented, with 4.7% in other arrangements. Three-bedroom homes represent 43.6% of stock and four-bedroom-plus homes 39.5%, a larger-family pattern compared with the 3.4% share of zero or one-bedroom dwellings. Mortgage costs are $1,733 monthly and equal 27.1% of household income, while rent is $360 weekly and equals 24.4% of income. Compared with nearby Maitland, Rutherford is positioned toward detached family housing, though its 13.47 square kilometre area and density of 971.8 people per square kilometre show an established suburban footprint rather than acreage living.
Mortgage / mo
$1,733
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (April to June 2026), NSW Rental Bond Board (DCJ). Census 2021 median: $360.
$620
Bond data Jun 2026 · houses $640 · units $495
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$711
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.5%
Unoccupied
227
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
39.9%
Couples with children
36.4%
Couples, no children
22.0%
Single parent
3,552
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Rutherford's standout industry at 20.7% of jobs, or 707 workers, followed by construction at 8.7% and 296 workers, mining at 8.6% and 292, education at 7.8% and 265, and retail at 7.6% and 261. The occupation mix reinforces a practical labour market: trades number 974, community and personal service 871, labourers 741, machinery and drivers 680, and clerical and administration 641. Full-time work accounts for 59.7% of employment, participation is 58.2%, and unemployment is 5.7%. Household income sits at the 45.8th percentile, below the midpoint, while the IEO decile is 2, lower than the IER decile of 5. That gap suggests education and occupation disadvantage is more pronounced than resource disadvantage. IRSD and IRSAD are both decile 3, also below middle-decile areas.
Unemployment
5.7%
Labour Force
5,947
Unemployed
339
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.7%
Part-time
32.7%
Participation
58.2%
Employed
5,608
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
14.6%
Postgraduate
2.6%
Born Overseas
9.1%
Dwellings
4,825
Transport to Work
Daily life is practical but car dependent. A total of 78.7% of workers drive, compared with 0.9% using public transport and 1.8% walking or cycling; 13.4% work from home. That pattern makes access to jobs, shops and services easier by car than by active or public transport, so household travel costs deserve attention. Rutherford has 2 local government schools covering primary and secondary years, giving families basic in-suburb access, while exact enrolment zones should be checked against the address. The suburb covers 13.47 square kilometres, supports 13,091 residents and has density of 971.8 people per square kilometre, so it feels established rather than rural. IRSAD is decile 3, below the middle deciles. For safety, check current NSW Police incident mapping and inspect routes around homes, schools and transport stops at different times.
Drive
78.7%
Public Transport
0.9%
Walk / Cycle
1.8%
Work from Home
13.4%
Population Forecast
+2.5%/yr
(+499 people/yr)
EstablishedRutherford's growth outlook is stronger than a low-change established suburb: the forecast trend is 2.5% annually, with internal migration identified as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is 50.8% over 10 years, while the shift profile is labelled Aging, including a 4.7 percentage-point rise in the senior share, a 0.7-point fall in the young share and a 2.6-point fall in the working share. Affordability is labelled Improving, moving from 52.8 in 2011 to 50.8 in 2021, and rent growth is 29.0%. The main gentrification measure records a score of 25 and stage Early signs, compared with the shift tracker score of 11 and stage Not gentrifying. That combination points to expansion without a clear wholesale change in suburb character.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+71
Net Internal / yr
+373
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Net internal migration +373/yr
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Rutherford compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rutherford a good suburb to live in?
Rutherford suits households wanting detached housing, practical services and family-sized homes. Separate houses account for 87.1% of dwellings, and 39.9% of families are couples with children. The trade-off is car dependence, with 78.7% driving to work compared with 0.9% using public transport.
What is the median house price in Rutherford?
A current median house price should be checked against recent settled sales and local appraisals. Rutherford's housing profile is still useful for budgeting: 87.1% of dwellings are separate houses, while 43.6% have 3 bedrooms and 39.5% have 4 or more bedrooms. Monthly mortgage payments are listed at $1,733.
What schools are in Rutherford?
Rutherford has 2 local government schools covering primary and secondary education: Rutherford Public School and Rutherford Technology High School. Families should confirm enrolment zones against the exact address, because catchments can differ between the 2 school types and may change as development proceeds.
Is Rutherford safe?
Safety should be assessed at street level using current NSW Police incident mapping, local advice and an evening inspection. No suburb-wide crime rate is available to quote. For daily routines, transport and lighting also matter because 78.7% of workers drive, while only 0.9% use public transport.
Is Rutherford good for property investment?
Rutherford has several investor positives, including 34.3% renting, weekly rent of $360, vacancy of 4.5% and rent growth of 29.0%. Internal migration is the main forecast driver. The 125 development applications in 12 months may add supply, so investors should compare property quality, tenant demand and future competition before buying.
How is Rutherford's population changing?
Rutherford has 13,091 residents today, while the wider area's forecast trend is 2.5% annual growth and 50.8% population change over 10 years. Internal migration is the main driver. The trajectory is labelled Aging, with the senior share up 4.7 percentage points and the young share down 0.7 points.
What development is occurring in Rutherford?
Development activity is substantial, with 125 applications recorded over 12 months. Recent examples include a secondary dwelling, subdivision and a new dwelling house. This can increase housing choice, but buyers and investors should check the exact proposal, approval status, construction timing and likely effect on local traffic and future rental competition.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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