Rutherglen

Population growth drivers in Rutherglen are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on ABS population updates and AreaSearch validation, as of Nov 2025, Rutherglen's estimated population is around 2,815. This reflects a 9.2% increase since the 2021 Census, which reported 2,579 people. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimated resident population of 2,657 in Jun 2024 and additional validated new addresses since then. Rutherglen's density ratio is approximately 22 persons per square kilometer. Its growth of 9.2% since the Census exceeded its SA3 area (5.6%) and SA4 region. Interstate migration contributed around 55% to overall population gains recently, with all drivers being positive factors.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in Jun 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, it utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 with adjustments made via weighted aggregation to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the Rutherglen statistical area (Lv2) is forecasted to increase by 814 persons, reflecting a total growth of 22.7% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Rutherglen according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Rutherglen has seen approximately 18 new homes approved annually based on AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers. Around 91 homes were approved between financial years FY21 to FY25, with 15 more approved by June 2026. On average, each dwelling constructed over the past five financial years has accommodated about 1.1 new residents.

This suggests a balanced supply and demand dynamic in the housing market. The average construction value of new properties is $571,000, indicating developers target the premium market segment. In FY26, commercial approvals totalled $2.4 million, reflecting Rutherglen's primarily residential character.

Compared to the rest of Victoria, Rutherglen has recorded a 13% higher construction rate per person over the past five years, offering varied buyer options while sustaining property demand. However, development activity has slowed in recent periods. All approved constructions since FY26 have been detached houses, maintaining the area's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. There are approximately 239 people per dwelling approval in Rutherglen, suggesting potential for growth. AreaSearch projects Rutherglen's population to increase by 640 residents by 2041. While construction pace remains reasonable with projected growth, increasing competition among buyers is expected as the population grows.

Rutherglen has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

No changes can affect an area's performance more than alterations to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 0 projects that could potentially impact this area. Key projects include North East Rail Line Upgrade, Inland Rail Beveridge to Albury, Inland Rail - Tottenham To Albury, and Regional Housing Fund (Victoria). The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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AreaSearch assessment indicates Rutherglen faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Rutherglen has a skilled workforce with strong representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors. The unemployment rate is 4.8%, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of statistical area data.

As of September 2025, 1,246 residents are employed while the unemployment rate stands at 1.1% above Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation is broadly similar to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Key industries employing residents include manufacturing, health care & social assistance, and accommodation & food. Manufacturing has a significant employment share of 2.7 times the regional level.

Health care & social assistance employs 11.2% of local workers, below Rest of Vic.'s 16.8%. The area may offer limited local employment opportunities, indicated by Census working population vs resident population counts. Over the 12 months to September 2025, labour force levels decreased by 1.7%, alongside a 3.0% employment decline, resulting in an unemployment rate rise of 1.3 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Vic., where employment contracted by 0.7%, the labour force fell by 0.6%, and unemployment rose marginally. State-level data to 25-Nov shows VIC employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, adding 41,950 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Rutherglen's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 4.9% over five years and 11.4% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

The suburb of Rutherglen had a lower than average income level on a national basis according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in Rutherglen was $48,683 and the average income stood at $56,395. These figures compare with those of Rest of Vic., which were $50,954 and $62,728 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Rutherglen would be approximately $52,699 (median) and $61,048 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Rutherglen ranked modestly, between the 20th and 32nd percentiles. Income analysis revealed that 31.7% of the population (892 individuals) fell within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, reflecting patterns seen in the surrounding region where 30.3% similarly occupied this range. While housing costs were modest with 88.1% of income retained, the total disposable income ranked at just the 26th percentile nationally.

Rutherglen is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Rutherglen's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 92.7% houses and 7.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro Vic.'s 89.9% houses and 10.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Rutherglen was at 44.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 35.7% and rented ones at 19.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300, aligning with Non-Metro Vic.'s average. The median weekly rent figure was $250, matching Non-Metro Vic.'s figure. Nationally, Rutherglen's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Rutherglen features high concentrations of lone person households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 67.4% of all households, including 23.9% couples with children, 30.7% couples without children, and 11.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 32.6%, with lone person households at 30.7% and group households comprising 1.4% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which aligns with the average in the Rest of Vic.

Rutherglen shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The area's university qualification rate is 19.3%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.6%, followed by graduate diplomas (3.4%) and postgraduate qualifications (3.3%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 40.0% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (29.3%). Educational participation is high at 26.3%, with 10.0% in primary education, 8.3% in secondary education, and 2.2% pursuing tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 26.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.0% in primary education, 8.3% in secondary education, and 2.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Rutherglen currently operates seven active public transport stops, all of which are bus routes. These stops are served by six distinct routes that together facilitate 67 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility to these services is rated as moderate, with residents on average located 461 meters away from the nearest stop.

Across all routes, service frequency averages nine trips per day, equating to roughly nine weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Rutherglen is well below average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Rutherglen faces significant health challenges, with high prevalence of common conditions across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover is relatively low at approximately 49% (1,384 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (10.3%) and asthma (9.4%). Approximately 60.6% of residents report no medical ailments, similar to the Rest of Vic's 60.4%. Rutherglen has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 26.9% (757 people), compared to Rest of Vic's 25.7%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, outperforming general population health metrics.

The latest Census data sees Rutherglen placing among the least culturally diverse areas in the country when compared across a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Rutherglen, surveyed in June 2016, had a predominantly Australian-born population with 92.5% born there. Citizenship was high at 93.8%, and English-only speakers were 97.9%. Christianity was the primary religion, accounting for 53.7% of residents, slightly higher than the regional average of 52.0%.

Top ancestral groups were English (33.5%), Australian (31.1%), and Irish (11.7%). Notably, Scottish ancestry was slightly overrepresented at 9.5%, compared to 9.3% regionally. German ancestry was also higher than average at 4.5% versus 3.7%. Macedonian ancestry, though small, was present in Rutherglen at 0.1%, not recorded regionally.

Rutherglen hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Rutherglen's median age at 47 years is significantly higher than the Rest of Vic. average of 43 and exceeds the national average of 38 by a substantial margin. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 make up 15.2%, which is particularly prominent compared to other groups, while the 45-54 group comprises 10.4%. This concentration of those aged 65-74 is significantly higher than the national average of 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the population aged 15-24 has grown from 9.2% to 10.9%, while the 45-54 cohort has decreased from 12.2% to 10.4%, and those aged 55-64 have dropped from 14.8% to 13.5%. By 2041, Rutherglen's age composition is expected to undergo notable shifts. Notably, the 25-34 group is projected to grow by 55%, increasing from 298 to 463 people. Conversely, the 55-64 and 65-74 cohorts are anticipated to experience population declines.