Rutherglen

Population growth drivers in Rutherglen are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

As of November 2025, Rutherglen's population is estimated at around 2,698, reflecting an increase of 119 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 2,579. This growth is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 2,678 following examination of ABS ERP data release in June 2024 and validation of additional 31 new addresses since the Census date. The suburb's population density is approximately 21 persons per square kilometer. Rutherglen's growth rate of 4.6% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's growth rate of 4.0%. Interstate migration contributed approximately 55.00000000000001% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including overseas migration and natural growth being positive factors. AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 using 2022 as the base year.

For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on aggregated SA2-level projections, the suburb is expected to expand by 811 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 27.9% in total over the 17 years.

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

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers from statistical area data shows Rutherglen had around 17 new homes approved annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25, approximately 86 homes were approved, with another 8 in FY-26 so far. This results in about 1.1 new residents per year per dwelling constructed over the past five financial years.

The average construction value of these properties is $571,000, slightly above the regional average. In FY-26, $2.2 million in commercial approvals have been registered. Rutherglen's construction rates per person are similar to those in Rest of Vic., indicating stable market dynamics.

However, development activity has moderated recently, with all recent building activity consisting of detached houses, maintaining the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. There are approximately 250 people per dwelling approval in Rutherglen. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the location is expected to grow by 754 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Rutherglen has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

No changes can significantly affect a region's performance like alterations to local infrastructure, major projects, or planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 0 projects expected to impact this area. Notable 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 specifies those most relevant.

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AreaSearch analysis reveals Rutherglen recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Rutherglen has a skilled workforce with strong manufacturing and industrial sectors. Its unemployment rate was 4.5% as of June 2021.

Over the past year, employment stability was relative. As of June 2025, 1,286 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.5%, 0.7% higher than Rest of Vic.'s rate of 3.8%. Workforce participation is similar to Rest of Vic.'s 57.4%. Key industries include manufacturing, health care & social assistance, and accommodation & food.

Manufacturing employs 2.7 times the regional level but health care & social assistance employs only 11.2% of local workers, below Rest of Vic.'s 16.8%. Labour force levels increased by 1.4% over the year to June 2025 while employment declined by 0.1%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 1.3 percentage points. This contrasts with Rest of Vic., where employment contracted by 0.9%, labour force fell by 0.4%, and unemployment rose by 0.4 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates across industries. Applying these projections to Rutherglen's employment mix indicates potential local employment increases of 4.9% over five years and 11.4% over ten years.

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

Rutherglen's median income among taxpayers was $48,683 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $56,395 during the same period. In comparison, Rest of Vic.'s median and average incomes were $48,741 and $60,693 respectively. Based on a Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Rutherglen's median income would be approximately $54,603 by September 2025, with the average estimated at $63,253 during the same period. According to the 2021 Census, household, family and personal incomes in Rutherglen ranked modestly, between the 20th and 32nd percentiles. Income analysis showed that 31.7% of Rutherglen's population (855 individuals) fell within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, reflecting patterns seen in the surrounding region where 30.3% similarly occupied this range. Despite modest housing costs with 88.1% of income retained, Rutherglen's 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), compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s 89.9% houses and 10.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Rutherglen was 44.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 35.7% and rented dwellings at 19.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,300, aligning with Non-Metro Vic.'s average, while 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, and 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 comprise the remaining 32.6%, with lone person households at 30.7% and group households making up 1.4% of the total. The median household size is 2.3 people, which aligns with the average for the Rest of Vic.

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

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates at 19.3%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.6%, followed by graduate diplomas (3.4%) and postgraduate qualifications (3.3%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 40.0% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (29.3%).

Educational participation is 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. Rutherglen's 3 schools have a combined enrollment of 590 students as of the latest data available, while the area demonstrates typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 985) with balanced educational opportunities. Education provision is balanced with 2 primary and 1 secondary schools serving distinct age groups. School capacity exceeds typical residential needs (21.9 places per 100 residents vs 14.8 regionally), indicating the area serves as an educational center for the broader region.

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

Rutherglen has six active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by ten different routes that together offer 95 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as moderate, with residents on average located 497 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 13 trips per day across all routes, which amounts to approximately 15 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 common conditions prevalent across both younger and older age groups. Private health cover stands at approximately 49%, covering about 1,327 people, which is lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most common conditions are arthritis (affecting 10.3% of residents) and asthma (9.4%). Around 60.6% report no medical ailments, similar to the Rest of Vic's 60.4%. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 26.9%, or 725 people, compared to Rest of Vic's 25.7%. Health outcomes among Rutherglen's seniors are above average, outperforming the general population in 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 had a lower than average cultural diversity, with 92.5% of its population born in Australia, 93.8% being citizens, and 97.9% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Rutherglen, comprising 53.7% of people, compared to 52.0% across Rest of Vic.. The top three ancestry groups were English (33.5%), Australian (31.1%), and Irish (11.7%).

Notably, Scottish ancestry was overrepresented at 9.5%, compared to 9.3% regionally, German at 4.5% versus 3.7%, and Macedonian at 0.1% versus 0%.

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

Rutherglen's median age is 47 years, which is significantly higher than the Rest of Vic. average of 43 and substantially exceeds the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 are particularly prominent at 15.2%, while the 45-54 group comprises 10.3%. This concentration of 65-74 year-olds is well above the national average of 9.4%. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has grown from 9.2% to 10.8% of the population. Conversely, the 45-54 cohort has declined from 12.2% to 10.3%, and the 55-64 group has dropped from 14.8% to 13.5%. By 2041, Rutherglen's age composition is expected to shift notably. The 25-34 group is projected to grow by 63 people, reaching 462 from 283. Meanwhile, the 65-74 cohort is expected to decline by 10 people.