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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Rushworth has an estimated 4,210 residents. Fewer than ten people live on each square kilometre, across a boundary that takes in surrounding rural land. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to the analysis by AreaSearch, the population of Rushworth is approximately 4,210 as of May 2026. Since the 2021 Census, which counted 4,193 residents, the population has grown by 17 people (0.4%). This shift is calculated using the ABS estimated resident population of 4,210 from June 2025 and 36 validated new addresses registered since the Census. This population size results in a density of 2.6 persons per square kilometer, indicating a low-density environment with substantial space per resident. Although growth is quiet, the 0.4% increase since 2021 was higher than the SA3 area's rate of -2.1%.
The primary driver of this growth was interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 75.2% of the total population gains in recent times. Projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia, published in 2024 with a 2022 baseline, are utilized by AreaSearch for each SA2 area. For areas lacking this data, projections from the VIC State Government's 2023 Regional/LGA release are applied, adjusted via weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. The age group growth rates derived from these aggregations are applied to all areas for the period from 2032 to 2041. Future projections suggest that population growth in the area will exceed the median for regional Australia, with an estimated increase of 698 residents by 2041 based on the most recent annual ERP data, representing a overall rise of 16.6% over the 16-year timeframe.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
53 new dwellings have been approved in Rushworth over the past five years, an average of 10 a year. That is 2.5 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 7, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Rushworth averages approximately 10 residential building approvals annually, with a total of 53 dwellings approved over the last 5 financial years. In the current financial year of FY-26, 7 approvals have been logged. Supply and demand have remained balanced, with an average of 1.5 people moving to the area for each new dwelling constructed between FY-21 and FY-25, which has since decreased to 1 people per dwelling over the last 2 financial years, indicating improved housing availability. Newly built homes carry an average construction value of $407,000, showing that developers are focusing on the higher-end market segment with premium builds.
Furthermore, $10.0 million in commercial project approvals have been recorded this financial year, representing a moderate volume of commercial development. Compared to the Rest of Vic., the rate of new residential approvals per capita in Rushworth is approximately two-thirds, placing it in the 44th percentile of all areas evaluated nationwide, which translates to fewer choices for buyers and stronger demand for existing properties. This rate is also below the national average, pointing to the established nature of the area and potential constraints in planning. Additionally, all recent residential building approvals have been for standalone houses, preserving the classic low-density residential profile of the area and emphasizing family-sized properties for those desiring extra space. An estimated ratio of 367 people per building approval highlights the quiet and low-key development landscape of the locality. Demographic projections indicate that Rushworth's population will expand by 698 residents by 2041, based on the latest quarterly figures from AreaSearch. If building activity remains at its current pace, the supply of new dwellings may lag behind this population growth, which could heighten buyer competition and support higher property values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Rushworth
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Rushworth, worth an estimated $240 million. A further 75 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $6.52 billion. 25 are already under construction and 23 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and sports & recreation. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local infrastructure projects, planning initiatives, and major developments have a significant impact on local performance. AreaSearch has identified 4 key projects likely to affect the area, which include safety upgrades on the Goulburn Valley Highway, the Shepparton Line Upgrade, the Axedale Solar Farm, and upgrades to the Bendigo and Echuca Line.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Axedale Solar Farm
A 160 MW solar PV and 100 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) project located on private land within the Greater Bendigo and Campaspe Shire LGA. The project has achieved a planning permit and will soon commence construction, generating clean energy for up to 30 years and reducing emissions by 200,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Silkwater Plains Estate
Master-planned residential estate on the southern edge of Tatura comprising 175 residential lots. Stage 1 is titled with homes under construction and occupied, Stage 2 is progressing with titles expected during 2026, and Stage 3 has been released for sale. The estate provides lots ranging from approximately 490 to over 2,000 square metres and is located close to Tatura town centre and Shepparton.
Tatura Water Treatment Plant Works
Expansion of the Tatura Water Treatment Plant to increase capacity from 12 megalitres per day to 18 megalitres per day. The $8 million upgrade included construction of a new Dissolved Air Flotation and Filtration (DAFF) plant, a new control building, chemical dosing and storage facility, raw water pump station, and associated infrastructure. The project was delivered by Laurie Curran Water Ltd and commissioned in early June 2020, ensuring future water supply capacity for the growing town of Tatura and its major industrial customers.
Little Kindy Tatura
A 92-place childcare centre providing early learning programs for children aged 0-5 years. The architecturally designed facility features modern classrooms, office space, kitchen, bathrooms, and two outdoor play areas. The centre is now approved and open, offering family-oriented childcare services with play-based, child-led learning programs guided by the National Early Years Learning Framework. Located opposite Sacred Heart Tatura Primary School and close to Tatura residential areas.
Tatura IGA Renovation
A major renovation and expansion of the Tatura IGA supermarket. The project included the creation of a brand new state-of-the-art supermarket and specialty shops, significantly increasing the store's size and product range, and adding a drive-through bottle shop.
Tatura Skate Park
A new concrete skate park that has replaced the previous facility. The park is designed for skaters, BMX riders, and scooter users of all skill levels and features a unique concrete vanilla slice bench, paying homage to a local icon. The project was funded by the Federal Government's Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
Margaret Street Stormwater Pump Station Upgrade
Completed upgrade of Tatura's most critical stormwater asset, servicing approximately 90% of the township. The 2.2 million AUD project includes two new high-capacity pumps (750 L/s and 1,950 L/s), a new Powercor electrical kiosk, a new switchboard building with generator connection, and advanced remote monitoring to protect homes and businesses from flooding.
Northlinks Estate Tatura
A residential estate development at the Hill Top Golf & Country Club, offering lots for new homes, some with golf course frontage. The development includes house and land packages and features parks and public spaces. Various stages of the estate, including 'Tatura Waters', are under development.
1,923 residents of Rushworth are employed, from a labour force of 2,004. Unemployment sits at 4.0%, with participation at 55.9%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 5.0% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local economy is supported by a diverse workforce that includes both white-collar and blue-collar occupations across multiple industries, with a jobless rate of 4.0% and an estimated annual job growth rate of 1.6%. As of March 2026, there are 1,923 working residents, with the unemployment rate sitting 0.4% higher than the Regional Vic. average of 3.7%, while the workforce participation rate of 55.9% is notably lower than the 61.1% recorded across Regional Vic. Census data indicates that 19.9% of local employees worked from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of pandemic-related restrictions.
The primary sectors employing local residents are agriculture, forestry & fishing, health care & social assistance, and manufacturing. The local workforce is highly concentrated in agriculture, forestry & fishing, with an employment share that is 3.5 times the regional average. Conversely, construction accounts for only 6.2% of local jobs, compared to the Regional Vic. average of 10.4%. A comparison of the Census working population against the resident population suggests that local employment opportunities are relatively limited. Based on AreaSearch's evaluation of SALM and ABS statistics, the area experienced a 1.6% rise in employment over the 12-month period, while the overall labour force grew by 3.2%, resulting in a 1.6 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. This trend diverges from Regional Vic., where employment fell by 0.1%, the labour force declined by 0.3%, and the unemployment rate decreased by 0.2 percentage points. National employment projections released in May-25 by Jobs and Skills Australia help illustrate potential future workforce needs in Rushworth. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future employment paths. Locally, applying these national sector growth projections—which forecast a 6.6% national increase over five years and a 13.7% increase over ten years—suggests that employment in Rushworth would grow by 5.0% over five years and 11.5% over ten years, representing a simple weighted extrapolation that does not account for local population changes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Rushworth is $1,072 a week (about $56,000 a year), with median personal income at $568 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $44,998 a year against an average of $53,186. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
According to the latest aggregated ATO statistics from financial year 2023 compiled by AreaSearch, income levels in the Rushworth SA2 are below the national average. The median taxpayer income in the Rushworth SA2 is $44,998, with the average income recorded at $53,186, compared to Regional Vic. figures of $50,954 and $62,728 respectively. Applying a Wage Price Index growth rate of 9.62% since the 2023 financial year, current estimated values as of March 2026 are approximately $49,327 for median income and $58,302 for average income. The 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and individual incomes in the area rank between the 5th and 8th percentiles nationally.
The largest income bracket is the $400 - 799 range, which accounts for 29.2% of residents (1,229 people), whereas the dominant bracket across the wider region is the $1,500 - 2,999 range at 30.3%. Although local housing costs are low, leaving residents with 90.2% of their income, total disposable income sits in the 11th percentile nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Rushworth had 1,714 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 96% detached houses and 1% apartments. 32% are owned with a mortgage, 14% rented and 53% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $200 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,023 a month. Rent absorbs 18.7% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.0%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census data, the housing mix in Rushworth is comprised of 96.3% detached houses and 3.8% alternative housing types, such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and other dwellings, compared to Regional Vic. averages of 90.1% houses and 9.9% other structures. Home ownership is high, with 53.3% of dwellings owned outright, while the remaining homes are mortgaged (32.3%) or rented (14.4%). The median monthly mortgage repayment of $1,023 and the median weekly rent of $200 are both significantly lower than the Regional Vic. averages of $1,430 and $285. On a national level, mortgage costs in Rushworth are well below the Australian average of $1,863, and rental costs are substantially under the national average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Rushworth counted 1,714 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.2 people each. 19% are couples with children, fewer than in 88% of areas nationally, against 34% couples without children. 33% of households are people living alone, and families average 2.2 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 64.1%, consisting of couples with children at 19.4%, couples without children at 34.3%, and single-parent households at 9.5%. Non-family households account for the remaining 35.9%, with lone person households representing 33.0% and group households making up 2.7% of the total. The median household size in the area is 2.2 people, which is below the Regional Vic. average of 2.4.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
12.8% of adults in Rushworth hold a university qualification, including 9.3% with a bachelor degree and 1.7% with postgraduate qualifications, lower than 88% of areas nationally. A further 30.8% hold a vocational qualification. 5 schools serve the area, with 286 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 915 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
The region presents lower rates of higher education, with university qualification levels at 12.8% compared to the VIC average of 33.4%. Among these qualifications, bachelor degrees represent 9.3%, followed by graduate diplomas at 1.8% and postgraduate degrees at 1.7%. Vocational and technical training is common, with 41.2% of residents aged 15 and over holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas at 10.4% and certificates at 30.8%. There is a high level of educational enrollment in the area, with 26.2% of the population currently undertaking formal studies. Of those studying, 10.3% are in primary school, 8.0% are in secondary school, and 2.0% are enrolled in tertiary programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Getting around Rushworth means driving: households keep an average of 1.8 vehicles, and scheduled services reach only a handful of stops. Service data is built from operators' published GTFS timetables; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
An analysis of public transport shows there are 13 active transit stops in Rushworth, serviced by 5 distinct routes that provide 39 passenger trips per week. Access to transport is moderate, with residents living an average of 472 meters from the nearest stop. The area is mostly residential, with a high level of outward commuting; private vehicles are the primary mode of travel at 89%, while 9% of residents walk. Dwellings average 1.8 vehicles, which is higher than the regional average. The 2021 Census recorded 19.9% of residents working from home, which may reflect pandemic-related conditions.
The average service frequency across all routes is 5 trips per day, which translates to approximately 3 weekly trips per transport stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
58.7% of residents in Rushworth report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 87% of areas nationally. 8.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 46.3% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.3 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Public health data points to notable challenges in Rushworth, based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality statistics and the prevalence of chronic illnesses across both younger and older demographics. The rate of private health insurance coverage is low, with only about 46% of the population (~1,949 people) holding cover, compared to 50.5% in Regional Vic. and a national average of 55.7%. Arthritis and mental health conditions are the most prevalent medical issues reported, affecting 13.0% and 9.6% of residents respectively, while 58.7% of the population reported no chronic health issues, compared to 63.4% in Regional Vic.
The working-age population shows higher rates of chronic illness, indicating health challenges. Residents aged 65 and over make up 27.7% of the local population (1,167 people), which is higher than the Regional Vic. average of 23.9%. The health profiles of these older residents present challenges, with national indicators reflecting those of the broader community.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Rushworth is largely Australian-born, at 89.6% of residents, with 4.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (33.0%) and English (31.1%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The local population has a lower level of cultural diversity than average, with citizens making up 86.7% of residents, 89.6% born in Australia, and 95.2% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, representing 52.9% of the local population, compared to 47.3% across Regional Vic. Looking at ancestral backgrounds, the three most common ancestries in Rushworth are Australian at 33.0%, English at 31.1%, and Irish at 10.5%. There are minor differences in other heritages, with Scottish ancestry slightly higher at 8.9% (compared to 8.8% regionally), Dutch at 1.6% (compared to 1.7%), and Macedonian at 0.3% (compared to 0.2%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Rushworth is 52, older than 94% of areas nationally. 19.9% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age of 52 years in Rushworth is higher than the Regional Vic. average of 43 and the national average of 38. The 55 - 64 age group is larger locally at 17.5% compared to the regional average, while 35 - 44 year-olds are less represented at 8.6%. This local concentration of 55 - 64 year-olds is also higher than the national figure of 11.2%. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 age bracket has risen from 8.3% to 9.6% of the population, whereas the 45 to 54 cohort has decreased from 13.2% to 11.4%.
By 2041, demographic projections estimate that the 25 to 34 age group will grow by 40%, adding 172 residents to reach 604, while the number of residents aged 55 to 64 is expected to decrease by 25.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Rushworth
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 1 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 36 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (4,193 at the 2021 Census → 4,210 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (216011410). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.