Suburb report · NSW 2320
Rutherford
Prepared by the property strategists at Chase Wealth Australia
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Population
15,239
Rutherford suburb profile
Who lives in Rutherford
Rutherford sits 132km from the Sydney CBD, well outside the capital's orbit. With 15,239 residents, Rutherford is in the largest fifth of New South Wales suburbs, well above the 4,135 of the median suburb. By population it is number 21 of 763 New South Wales suburbs and towns more than 40km from the Sydney CBD. The median age is 35, younger than 82% of New South Wales suburbs, where the median suburb sits at 40. Among New South Wales suburbs and towns more than 40km from the Sydney CBD, 644 of 763 have an older median age. In the other suburb of the Rutherford (South)-Telarah statistical area the median age is 36, so Rutherford runs 1 years younger than its statistical-area neighbours.
Income and home ownership
Median household income is $86,200, below the $104,500 of the median New South Wales suburb. The other suburb of the Rutherford (South)-Telarah statistical area has $76,700, putting Rutherford 12.4% above its statistical-area neighbours. Among the 763 New South Wales suburbs and towns more than 40km from the Sydney CBD, 379 report a higher median household income. A renting share of 36% is above the state norm, where the median suburb has 73.1% ownership. Among New South Wales suburbs and towns more than 40km from the Sydney CBD, 144 have a lower share of owner-occupiers than Rutherford. That is 3.5 points below the 67.5% ownership share in the other suburb of the Rutherford (South)-Telarah statistical area.
Household mix
At the 2021 Census, 4,834 households lived in Rutherford, more than in 91% of New South Wales suburbs. The household mix leans to families: families with children 45.8%, couples without children 25.6%, people living alone 26.1% and group households 2.5%. Among New South Wales suburbs and towns more than 40km from the Sydney CBD, 471 of 761 have a smaller share of families with children than Rutherford. The 26.1% share of people living alone is close to the New South Wales middle, at the 58th percentile. Couples without children, at 25.6%, sit near the New South Wales middle, at the 43rd percentile. In the other 1 suburb of the Rutherford (South)-Telarah statistical area, families with children make up 40.9% of households, against 45.8% here.
Housing supply
160 new dwellings were approved across the Rutherford (South)-Telarah statistical area in the year to June 2025, 6% under its 2020 to 2024 average of 170 a year. The Rutherford (South)-Telarah statistical area had 9,366 residents in 2025 and covers only part of Rutherford. That is 17.1 approvals per 1,000 residents of that area, one of the heaviest pipelines in New South Wales, above 94% of statistical areas. Over the 6 years to June 2025, annual approvals ranged from 115 in 2023 to 237 in 2021.
Population trend
From 2020 to 2025, the Rutherford (South)-Telarah statistical area grew its population by 21.8%, well ahead of most areas, against 5.9% for New South Wales as a whole. The median New South Wales statistical area grew 2.5% over the same 5 years, 19.3 points slower than this one. It ranks at the 96th percentile of New South Wales statistical areas for population growth over the period. Year by year, the change ran from 3.1% in 2025 to 4.6% in 2021.
Against its neighbours
The sharpest contrast among the nearby suburbs is Thornton, where the share of people living alone is 15% compared with 26.1% here. On the owner-occupied share, East Maitland comes closest to Rutherford: 62.4% against 64%. At 20km, Cessnock counts 16,990 residents against 15,239 in Rutherford.
Location
Demographics
ABS Data by Region to 2025, on ABS Census 2021 suburb baselineHousehold Mix Census 2021
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Reading this report
Every figure in the Rutherford data table is dated at its source. Supply and population change cover the Rutherford (South)-Telarah statistical area, whose boundary differs from Rutherford's, and our guide to reading a suburb report explains how our buyers agents weigh them.
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This report is market intelligence prepared by Chase Wealth Australia for general information only. Figures are statistical estimates for the suburb, not valuations of any individual property, and do not constitute financial or credit advice. Consider your circumstances and seek professional advice before acting. Demographic figures are sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census 2021 (licensed CC BY 4.0) where available.