Rutherford, NSW: suburb profile

The population of Rutherford NSW is 13,091 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Rutherford is $711 per week ($36,972 per year). Median rent in Rutherford is $360 per week ($1,560 per month). Rutherford has a median age of 35 years, younger than the national median of 38. Rutherford has a population density of 972 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Rutherford is England. The most common religion is No religion (38.2% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Punjabi. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Rutherford is $1,733.

There were 405 recorded offences in Rutherford in 2025-26, a rate of 31 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (181 offences).

Population
13,091
Census 2021
Median income
$711/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$360/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
35years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au), 2025-26.

Rutherford vs the typical NSW suburb

The median personal income in Rutherford is $711 a week, 7% below the typical NSW suburb ($765). That ranks 1,328th of 2,150 NSW suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $360 a week, $25 less than the typical NSW suburb. Rent takes 24.4% of the median household income here, against 22.6% in the typical NSW suburb. The median resident is 35, 8 years younger than in the typical NSW suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureRutherfordTypical NSWDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$711/wk$765/wk −7%$766/wk
Household income$1,475/wk$1,704/wk −13%$1,637/wk
Rent$360/wk$385/wk −6%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,733/mo$1,965/mo −12%$1,733/mo
Median age3543 −8 yrs42
Rent share of household income24.4%22.6% +1.8 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Rutherford, the typical NSW suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Rutherford Population

13,091 residents at the 2021 Census.

Rutherford Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$711/wk
$36,972 per year
Ranked 5,279 of 14,663
Median Rent
$360/wk
$1,560 per month
Ranked 2,908 of 14,663
Median Age
35years
3 years younger than the national median
Mortgage
$1,733/mo
Avg household size: 2.6 · 0.8 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Rutherford Rent Prices & Affordability

24% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.

Household income $1,475/wk
Median rent $360/wk
Rent to income 24.4%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Rutherford against your income

About $6,392 a month
Median rent $360/wk
Left after rent $1,115/wk
Rent share 24.4%

Rutherford Schools

5
schools nearby
3
government
942
avg ICSEA score
3,558
total students
St Paul's Primary School Catholic
Primary · K-6 · 370 students
996
ICSEA
Hunter Trade College Independent
Secondary · 11-12 · 257 students
978
ICSEA
Rutherford Public School Government
Primary · K-6 · 1,007 students
933
ICSEA
Rutherford Technology High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,405 students
922
ICSEA
Telarah Public School Government
Primary · P-6 · 519 students
879
ICSEA

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Rutherford, with a map

Rutherford Map

Rutherford, New South Wales Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Rutherford, New South Wales: 32.7116°S, 151.5143°E

Rutherford Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (5)

People in Rutherford

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 48.5% (6,347) Female 51.5% (6,745)

Population Density

972
people per km²
13,091 people · 13.5 km²

Households

2.6
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$1,774
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
1.6%
New Zealand
1.1%
Philippines
0.8%
India
0.8%
South Africa
0.4%
Germany
0.3%
Scotland
0.3%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Punjabi
0.5%
Tagalog
0.4%
Afrikaans
0.3%
Spanish
0.2%
Australian Indigenous Languages
0.2%
Mandarin
0.2%
Hindi
0.2%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

Australian
43.8%
English
41.6%
Scottish
9.8%
Australian Aboriginal
9.8%
Irish
9.0%
German
4.2%
Italian
1.5%
Filipino
1.3%
Dutch
1.1%
Polish
1.0%
Indian
0.9%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
38.2%
Catholic
22.4%
Anglican
19.5%
Not stated
6.4%
Uniting Church
3.0%
Presbyterian and Reformed
2.2%
Christian (other)
1.7%
Baptist
1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

10.3%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
40.6% 4,148
Separated
4.0% 406
Divorced
10.0% 1,026
Widowed
6.5% 668
Never married
38.9% 3,979

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
41.4%
Couple: no children
25.5%
One parent: children under 15
14.4%
Couple: no children under 15
11.7%
One parent: no children under 15
7.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
26.1%
2 persons
32.4%
3 persons
17.1%
4 persons
14.0%
5 persons
7.0%
6+ persons
3.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Rutherford

Housing Tenure

Of the 4,834 occupied private dwellings in Rutherford at the 2021 Census, 33.8% were rented, 24.0% owned outright and 36.1% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
4.6% 223 dwellings
Owned outright
24.0% 1,160 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
36.1% 1,747 dwellings
Rented
33.8% 1,635 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.4% 67 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
88.9%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
9.1%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
2.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
3.2%
2 bedrooms
13.6%
3 bedrooms
43.7%
4 bedrooms
35.7%
5 bedrooms
3.4%
6+ bedrooms
0.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
2.9%
$300-$449/mo
1.6%
$450-$599/mo
1.6%
$600-$799/mo
2.5%
$800-$999/mo
5.3%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
17.5%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
28.2%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
29.9%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
7.3%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
3.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
6.7%
1 vehicle
36.9%
2 vehicles
37.0%
3 vehicles
13.3%
4+ vehicles
6.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Rutherford

Employment

Employed full-time
36.1% 3,354 people
Employed part-time
19.8% 1,840 people
Unemployed
3.6% 336 people
Not in labour force
40.4% 3,751 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Technicians & Trade Workers
21.9%
Community & Personal Service
18.8%
Professionals
15.7%
Clerical & Administrative
12.5%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
9.5%
Managers
9.0%
Labourers
6.9%
Sales Workers
5.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.1%
$1-$149/wk
0.6%
$150-$299/wk
1.0%
$300-$399/wk
2.8%
$400-$499/wk
8.0%
$500-$649/wk
4.5%
$650-$799/wk
7.9%
$800-$999/wk
8.0%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
8.4%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.3%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.1%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.6%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
13.7%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
8.5%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
5.9%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
2.6%
$4,000+/wk
4.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
9.9%
$1-$149/wk
4.4%
$150-$299/wk
6.2%
$300-$399/wk
5.7%
$400-$499/wk
4.6%
$500-$649/wk
3.9%
$650-$799/wk
10.8%
$800-$999/wk
12.7%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
13.3%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.7%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.2%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
4.7%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
6.6%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.1%
$3,500+/wk
1.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
72.2%
Did not go to work
18.4%
Car (passenger)
4.9%
Walked only
1.3%
Truck
0.9%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.6%
Bus
0.5%
Train
0.3%
Bicycle
0.3%
Other
0.3%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
39.7%
Year 10 or equivalent
38.9%
Year 9 or equivalent
12.1%
Year 11 or equivalent
9.3%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Certificate III/IV
59.3%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
16.9%
Bachelor Degree
14.6%
Certificate I/II
3.8%
Postgraduate Degree
3.2%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
2.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Engineering
24.5%
Management & Commerce
19.5%
Society & Culture
14.5%
Health
10.9%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
9.5%
Education
7.0%
Architecture & Building
6.3%
Agriculture & Environment
2.1%
Creative Arts
2.1%
Information Technology
1.9%
Natural & Physical Sciences
1.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
31.1%
Secondary: Government
20.3%
Vocational Education
13.7%
Pre-school
13.1%
Primary: Catholic
11.3%
Secondary: Catholic
7.2%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
1.7%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
85.5%
Has need for assistance
9.1%
Need for assistance not stated
5.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
1,902
Asthma
672
Arthritis
562
Diabetes
449
Heart disease
414
Lung condition
405
Kidney disease
207
Cancer
195
Stroke
190
Dementia
73

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
13.5% 1,305
Did not provide
86.5% 8,332

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
8.5% 820
Not a volunteer
91.5% 8,836

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.2% 20
Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 9
Previously served
3.3% 316
Never served
96.4% 9,370

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
28.8%
1 child
13.2%
2 children
28.6%
3 children
19.1%
4 children
7.8%
5+ children
2.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
44
1951: 1960
85
1961: 1970
103
1971: 1980
100
1981: 1990
117
1991: 2000
80
2001: 2010
247
2011: 2015
154
2016
32
2017
34
2018
53
2019
45
2020
15
2021
3

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

16.1%
moved in the last year
46.7%
moved in the last 5 years
5.7%
unemployment rate (Census)
58.2%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
10,237
Moved from NSW
1,477
Moved: same area (SA2)
328
Moved from QLD
32
Moved from overseas
30
Moved from WA
16
Moved from VIC
15
Moved from SA
8
Moved from TAS
4
Moved from NT
4

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
18.8%
5: 14 hours
26.4%
15: 29 hours
12.9%
30+ hours
9.4%
Did not do domestic work
32.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
75.4%
Step family: no other children
14.2%
Blended family: no other children
8.4%
Intact family: other children present
1.1%
Other couple: children only
0.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Rutherford Crime Statistics

405 reported offences in 2025-26, by category.

Theft
181
Other Against Property
56
Assault
50
Other Against Person
39
Property Damage
33
Sexual Offences
20
Drug Offences
13
Weapons
7
Robbery
4
Homicide
1
Domestic Violence
1

Total offences by year

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: NSW BOCSAR (bocsar.nsw.gov.au).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Walgett
Income: $823/wk Rent: $175/wk $185/wk less rent
Kooringal (NSW)
Income: $777/wk Rent: $270/wk $90/wk less rent
Gateshead
Income: $611/wk Rent: $300/wk $60/wk less rent
Muswellbrook
Income: $759/wk Rent: $310/wk $50/wk less rent
Warwick Farm
Income: $601/wk Rent: $327/wk $33/wk less rent
Glenfield Park
Income: $808/wk Rent: $330/wk $30/wk less rent
North St Marys
Income: $597/wk Rent: $340/wk $20/wk less rent
Metford
Income: $731/wk Rent: $350/wk $10/wk less rent

Suburbs near Rutherford

The closest suburb to Rutherford is Telarah, 2.6 km away.

Telarah
2.6 km away · income $689/wk · rent $300/wk
Aberglasslyn
2.6 km away · income $881/wk · rent $430/wk
Maitland (NSW)
4.6 km away · income $635/wk · rent $320/wk
Gillieston Heights
5.5 km away · income $947/wk · rent $430/wk
Bolwarra (NSW)
5.5 km away · income $946/wk · rent $440/wk
Lochinvar
5.5 km away · income $889/wk · rent $370/wk

Compare Rutherford

Frequently Asked Questions About Rutherford

What is the population of Rutherford NSW?

The population of Rutherford NSW is 13,091 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 972 people per km². Rutherford is ranked #368 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Rutherford?

The median personal income in Rutherford NSW is $711 per week, or $36,972 per year. The median household income is $1,475 per week. Family income is $1,774 per week. Rutherford is ranked #5,279 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Rutherford?

Median rent in Rutherford NSW is $360 per week ($1,560 per month). Rent represents 24.4% of household income, which is considered affordable. Rutherford ranks #2,908 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Rutherford?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Rutherford NSW is $1,733. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Rutherford?

The median age in Rutherford NSW is 35 years. This is younger than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Rutherford a good suburb to live in?

Rutherford is a suburb in New South Wales with a population of 13,091. The median income is $711/wk, which is below the typical NSW suburb ($765/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (24.4% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Explore More

Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Sydney Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 13464. All dollar figures in AUD.