Rutherford (South) - Telarah

Rutherford (South) - Telarah lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

According to investigations by AreaSearch, the population of Rutherford (South) - Telarah reaches approximately 9,596 as of May 2026. This represents a rise of 1,620 individuals (20.3%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 7,976 people. The transition is calculated using the estimated resident population of 9,366 from the ABS in June 2025 alongside 626 validated new addresses registered after the Census date. This population level yields a density of 244 persons per square kilometer, indicating substantial space per resident and capacity for future growth. The 20.3% expansion rate of Rutherford (South) - Telarah since the 2021 census surpassed the Rest of NSW (4.9%) and the broader state, establishing the community as a regional growth leader. The expansion was driven mostly by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 59.2% of the overall population rise, though all factors, including natural increase and overseas migration, made positive contributions.

AreaSearch adopts the projections released by the ABS/Geoscience Australia in 2024, which utilize 2022 as their base year. For SA2 regions lacking this coverage, the NSW State Government's SA2 level projections from 2022, with a 2021 base year, are applied. Growth velocities by age group derived from these datasets are projected forward for all areas from 2032 to 2041. Reflecting these anticipated demographic transitions, a substantial population gain within the top quartile of non-metropolitan regions nationwide is predicted, with the locality expected to add 2,200 persons to 2041 when measured from the most recent annual ERP statistics, representing a total increase of 20.5% over the 16 years.

The level of residential development activity in Rutherford (South) - Telarah was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Rutherford (South) - Telarah has averaged about 161 dwelling approvals annually, summing to 807 residential properties over the prior 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26173 approvals have been logged. Over the 5 financial years spanning FY-21 to FY-25, an average of 2.1 people relocated to the locality for each newly constructed home, pointing to healthy demand that should bolster real estate values. New residential builds carry an average value of $230,000—a figure below the regional average—suggesting more accessible entry pricing for buyers. Furthermore, commercial approvals totaling $6.6 million have been registered this financial year, highlighting the primarily residential character of the area.

When compared to the Rest of NSW, Rutherford (South) - Telarah shows 60.0% more building activity (per capita), giving purchasers a broader selection. This volume of activity sits well above the national average, showing strong developer interest. New construction activity consists of 37.0% detached houses and 63.0% medium and high-density developments. This orientation toward higher-density options offers affordable entry points and draws downsizers, investors, and first-time buyers. This marks a clear departure from the current housing stock (where houses make up 89.0%), indicating a shrinking pool of buildable land and reflecting changing lifestyles alongside the demand for diverse, affordable options. With roughly 56 residents per dwelling approval, Rutherford (South) - Telarah exhibits the hallmarks of a developing growth area.

Demographic projections indicate Rutherford (South) - Telarah will add 1,970 residents through to 2041 (calculated from the most recent AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current building rates, the incoming supply of housing is expected to easily satisfy demand, creating favorable buying conditions and potentially encouraging growth beyond current population projections.

Rutherford (South) - Telarah has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Local infrastructure updates, major projects, and planning changes significantly impact area performance. AreaSearch has tracked a total of 23 projects expected to influence the locality. Significant developments include the Truegain Site Remediation, Max McMahon Oval Amenities Redevelopment, Dalmore Park Employment Hub, and the Kurri Kurri Lateral Pipeline Project, with the list below highlighting the most relevant initiatives.

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AreaSearch analysis reveals Rutherford (South) - Telarah recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

The workforce of Rutherford (South) - Telarah is balanced between white and blue collar jobs, with industrial and manufacturing fields heavily represented, an unemployment rate of 6.2%, and an estimated job growth rate of 1.8% over the prior year. In March 2026, 4,204 residents are employed, with the unemployment rate sitting 2.1% above the Regional NSW rate of 4.1%, while workforce participation closely matches the Regional NSW figure of 60.6%. Census data indicates a moderate 13.9% of residents worked from home, though the influence of Covid-19 lockdowns should be taken into account.

The primary employment sectors for local residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and construction. The area displays a strong specialization in mining, showing an employment share 2.7 times the regional rate. In contrast, agriculture, forestry & fishing is less represented at 1.3% compared to the regional average of 5.3%. A ratio of 0.7 workers per resident at the time of the Census indicates a level of local job availability that exceeds typical benchmarks.

An AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS statistics shows that for the 12 months ending March 2026, employment grew by 1.8% while the labor force expanded by 1.5%, causing unemployment to drop by 0.3 percentage points. By comparison, Regional NSW experienced a 0.9% drop in employment, a 0.4% contraction in the labor force, and a 0.5 percentage point increase in unemployment. National employment projections from Jobs and Skills Australia as of May-25 offer additional context on future demand in Rutherford (South) - Telarah. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential growth. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the expansion rates vary widely by industry. Applying these sectoral projections to the employment profile of Rutherford (South) - Telarah suggests local employment will rise by 6.0% over five years and 13.0% over ten years (note that this is a basic weighted extrapolation for demonstration purposes and does not incorporate local population forecasts).

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

The most recent postcode level ATO data from AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicates that incomes in the Rutherford (South) - Telarah SA2 exceed national averages, with a median of $57,766 and an average of $72,137. This compares to a median of $52,390 and an average of $65,215 across Regional NSW. Adjusting for Wage Price Index growth of 10.32% since financial year 2023, current estimates correspond to roughly $63,727 (median) and $79,582 (average) as of March 2026. The 2021 Census reports that household, family, and personal incomes rank modestly in Rutherford (South) - Telarah, falling between the 33rd and 34th percentiles. Looking at earnings distribution, the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket accounts for 36.6% of the population (3,512 residents), mirroring the metropolitan region where this cohort stands at 29.9%. Affordability pressures are high, leaving residents with only 82.1% of their income, which ranks in the 31st percentile.

Rutherford (South) - Telarah is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

The mix of housing in Rutherford (South) - Telarah at the last Census consisted of 88.9% houses and 11.1% other dwellings (such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and alternative structures), compared to 82.6% houses and 17.4% other dwellings in Regional NSW. Home ownership levels in Rutherford (South) - Telarah trailed Regional NSW at 26.2%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with mortgages (39.4%) or tenants renting (34.4%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,647 was below the Regional NSW average of $1,733, while the median weekly rent was $330, matching the Regional NSW average of $330. Nationally, the mortgage payments in Rutherford (South) - Telarah are significantly below the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are substantially lower than the national figure of $375.

Rutherford (South) - Telarah has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households make up the majority at 70.8% of all households, consisting of 26.8% couples with children, 25.6% couples without children, and 16.6% single parents. Non-family households account for the remaining 29.2%, with single-person households at 26.5% and group households at 3.0%. The median household size of 2.5 residents is larger than the Regional NSW average of 2.4.

Rutherford (South) - Telarah faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The community experiences educational hurdles, with university graduation rates (10.7%) falling well below the NSW average of 32.2%. This dynamic presents both a difficulty and a focus area for targeted educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education qualification at 8.2%, followed by postgraduate degrees (1.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.1%). Vocational and technical credentials are very common, with 43.7% of residents aged 15+ holding trade qualifications, including advanced diplomas (8.4%) and certificates (35.3%).

Engagement in education is high, with 29.7% of residents currently enrolled in study. This includes 10.0% in primary schools, 7.6% in secondary schools, and 3.7% in tertiary institutions.

Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

An evaluation of public transport options shows 99 active stops in Rutherford (South) - Telarah, comprising bus transit. These stops accommodate 69 unique routes that support 829 weekly passenger journeys. Transit accessibility is good, with residents living an average of 207 meters from the nearest stop. Because of the residential nature of the area, most workers commute elsewhere, and private vehicles remain the primary travel mode at 94%. Households average 1.4 vehicles per dwelling. Around 13.9% of residents worked from home (2021 Census; potentially reflecting COVID-19 settings).

Service frequency averages 118 journeys daily across the network, representing about 8 weekly trips for each individual stop.

Health performance in Rutherford (South) - Telarah is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts

Rutherford (South) - Telarah exhibits notable health challenges according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality data and chronic illness rates, with general health concerns present across demographics but concentrated heavily in older cohorts, while private health insurance coverage is relatively high at approximately 55% of the population (~5,268 people). This compares to 51.9% for Regional NSW.

The most prevalent health diagnoses in the locality are mental health conditions and asthma, affecting 13.4 and 10.8% of residents, respectively, while 59.5% reported no chronic medical conditions compared to 63.3% in Regional NSW. The working-age cohort faces notable health difficulties with elevated rates of chronic illness. The area has 14.5% of residents aged 65 and over (1,392 people), a lower proportion than the 23.4% found in Regional NSW. Health outcomes among older residents present difficulties, though they rank lower nationally than the overall local population.

Rutherford (South) - Telarah is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Rutherford (South) - Telarah ranks below average in cultural diversity, with citizens making up 91.7% of the population, 92.5% born in Australia, and 95.6% speaking only English at home. The predominant religion is Christianity, accounting for 53.8% of the population in Rutherford (South) - Telarah, compared to 55.9% across Regional NSW.

Regarding ancestral backgrounds (parental country of birth), the three largest groups in Rutherford (South) - Telarah are Australian, representing 31.4% of the population, English, representing 30.5%, and Australian Aboriginal, representing 8.1%. Some specific ethnic heritages show notable variation: Samoan is overrepresented at 0.2% of Rutherford (South) - Telarah (compared to 0.1% regionally), Polish at 0.7% (compared to 0.5%), and Maltese at 0.4% (compared to 0.4%).

Rutherford (South) - Telarah hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

The median age of 33 years in Rutherford (South) - Telarah is lower than the Regional NSW average of 43 and below the national average of 38 years. Relative to Regional NSW, the 25 - 34 age bracket is over-represented (18.8% locally), while the 65 - 74 group is under-represented (8.5%). Since the 2021 Census, the 25 to 34 age group has grown from 17.0% to 18.8% of the population, and the 35 to 44 cohort has risen from 13.0% to 14.0%. In contrast, the 55 to 64 group decreased from 11.0% to 8.9% and the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 13.1% to 11.8%. Demographic forecasts for 2041 indicate notable shifts for Rutherford (South) - Telarah, led by the 25 to 34 age group which is projected to grow by 31% (564 people), expanding from 1,805 to 2,370, while the 65 to 74 group is expected to decrease by 50 residents.