suburb.guide

NSW · Maitland Council

Rutherford, NSW, 2320

Desirability index

88.6/100

#100 among Country & regional suburbs

How this score is calculated

Suburb snapshot

Rutherford is a mid-sized suburb in the Maitland area, home to around 13,091 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show 4,159 offences in Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 with falling year-on-year trends (-5%), roughly 317.7 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $600 (flats $485, houses $620), 3 school and preschool sites in the area, strong public transport coverage with many public transport stops, a higher concentration of local shops, services, and recreation amenities, 1 active roadworks or transport incidents on nearby routes, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb and hospitals or GP clinics within the suburb.

Population

Population
13,091
Median age
35
Median household income / week
$1,475
Dwelling vacancy
4.5%
Unoccupied private dwellings
227 of 5,062
Median monthly mortgage
$1,733
Employment rate
54.9%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
406 / 528 / 94

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

Housing

Flats / units (January to March 2026)
$485
Houses (January to March 2026)
$620
All types (January to March 2026)
$600
Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
357

Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.

Data sources & freshness

Crime & safety

Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
4,159
Against the person
1,143
Against property
1,512
Rate per 1,000 residents
317.7
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 11 residents
State safety percentile
19.9th (lower crime is better)
Year-on-year change
-5.4%

Most common offence types

  • Breach Bail Conditions609
  • Domestic Violence Related Assault329
  • Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment381
  • Malicious Damage To Property307
  • Steal From Motor Vehicle237

Data sources & freshness

  • BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows

Schools & preschools

Schools & preschools
3
Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
933
  • Rutherford Public SchoolPrimary
  • Rutherford Technology High SchoolSecondary
  • St Paul's Primary SchoolPrimary

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

262 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Aberglasslyn Rd At Queen St
  • Aberglasslyn Rd Opp Third Av
  • Alexandra Av At Endeavour St
  • New England Hwy At John St
  • New England Hwy Opp South St

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

1 active roadworks / incidents

  • Exercise caution. Check signage. Traffic controllers will be on site to direct motorists.Racecourse Road, Shipley Drive29 Jun 2026 – 03 Aug 2026

Data sources & freshness

  • Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported

Planning & development

Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).

717 planning-related records

2026· 47 proposals

  • June 2026

  • Industrial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    91 GARDINER STREET RUTHERFORD 2320Additional Information Requested
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    55 RICHARD ROAD RUTHERFORD 2320Under Assessment
  • Subdivision
    20 DENTON PARK DRIVE RUTHERFORD 2320Additional Information Requested
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Vehicle repair station
    9 MIRAGE ROAD RUTHERFORD 2320Under Assessment
  • Subdivision
    7 AARON COVE RUTHERFORD 2320Additional Information Requested
  • Erection of a new structure; Recreation facility (outdoor)
    91 GRAND PARADE RUTHERFORD 2320Under Assessment
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    18 BINGARA STREET RUTHERFORD 2320Under Assessment
  • Subdivision
    372 NEW ENGLAND HIGHWAY RUTHERFORD 2320Under Assessment
  • Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Waste or resource transfer station; Waste or resource management facility
    71 KYLE STREET RUTHERFORD 2320Under Assessment
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Light industry
    79 MUSTANG DRIVE RUTHERFORD 2320Under Assessment
  • Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    99 GRAND PARADE RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    67 TOURNAMENT STREET RUTHERFORD 2320Under Assessment
  • Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    23 PETER STREET RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    18 BUNNING AVENUE RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
  • Subdivision
    39 & 41 fairfax street rutherfordAdditional Information Requested

  • May 2026

  • Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    45 ABERGLASSLYN ROAD RUTHERFORD 2320Additional Information Requested
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    39 GILLIES STREET RUTHERFORD 2320Under Assessment
  • Demolition; Advertising and signage; Erection of a new structure; Service station; Food and drink premise
    258-264 NEW ENGLAND HIGHWAY RUTHERFORD 2320Additional Information Requested

  • April 2026

  • Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure
    98 WEBLANDS STREET RUTHERFORD 2320Under Assessment
  • Subdivision
    11 ALVIRA CLOSE RUTHERFORD 2320Under Assessment
  • Demolition; Horticulture
    279 NEW ENGLAND HIGHWAY RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
  • Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Car park
    14 ARTHUR STREET RUTHERFORD 2320Additional Information Requested
  • Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    23 JOHN VERGE AVENUE RUTHERFORD 2320Determined

  • March 2026

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    10 CHRISTINE CLOSE RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
  • Subdivision
    7 AARON COVE RUTHERFORD 2320Rejected
  • Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    11 BAIRDS CLOSE RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
  • Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure
    65 REGIMENT ROAD RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
  • Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure
    52 GRAND PARADE RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
  • Commercial development; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Vehicle Sales or Hire Premises
    59 MUSTANG DRIVE RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    23 JOHN VERGE AVENUE RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Portable swimming pools and spas and child-resistant barriers
    25 MILEHAM CIRCUIT RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    2 CROWN CLOSE RUTHERFORD 2320Determined

  • February 2026

  • Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Vehicle repair station
    92 GARDINER STREET RUTHERFORD 2320Under Assessment
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool
    20 RESERVE STREET RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)
    1114 14 Denton Park Drive RutherfordDetermined
  • Shed; Erection of a new structure
    30 MIDFIELD CLOSE RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    113 GRAND PARADE RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)
    19 FAIRFAX STREET RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
  • Subdivision
    19 PARKES STREET RUTHERFORD 2320Withdrawn

  • January 2026

  • Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    15 CANTER CLOSE RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
2025· 77 proposals

77 proposals lodged in 2025. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2024· 88 proposals

88 proposals lodged in 2024. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2023· 94 proposals

94 proposals lodged in 2023. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2022· 160 proposals

160 proposals lodged in 2022. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2021· 223 proposals

223 proposals lodged in 2021. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2020· 28 proposals

28 proposals lodged in 2020. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

185 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • BWSAlcohol
  • Hunter Region RSPCA NSWAnimal Shelter

    Burlington Place

  • Greater BankATM
  • Newcastle PermanentATM
  • The Mutual BankATM
  • Baby BuntingBaby Goods

    343 New England Highway

  • Bakers DelightBakery
  • Bec's Cake CreationsBakery
  • Rutherford BakehouseBakery
  • Newcastle PermanentBank

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Parks & reserves

4 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Finney Close ParkPark
  • Max McMahon OvalPark
  • Norm Chapman OvalPark
  • Vi Denny-Bowtell ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics
12
Emergency department
Not in suburb
  • Amcalpharmacy
  • Douglass Hanly Moirsample_collection
  • Douglass Hanly Moirsample_collection
  • Hunter Imaging Groupyes
  • Laverty Pathologysample_collection
  • Marketplace Medical Centre RutherfordHillview Streetdoctor
  • Pacific Smilesdentist
  • Priceline Pharmacypharmacy
  • Rutherford Family Medical Practicedoctor
  • Rutherford Medical CentreEast Malldoctor

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
2/10
IRSD decile (2021)
2/10

SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.

Data sources & freshness

Childcare

6 childcare services from OpenStreetMap

  • Busy Beeschildcare
  • Goodstart Early Learning RutherfordDunkley Streetchildcare
  • Little Legends Pre-SchoolRichard Roadkindergarten
  • Maitland Baptist Out of School Hours CareWeblands Streetchildcare
  • Tillys Play and Development Centre Rutherfordchildcare
  • childcarechildcare

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid

Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.

Data sources & freshness

  • Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
20
Parks (OSM)
6

OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Desirability index

Desirability score
88.6/100
Cohort rank
#100 among Country & regional suburbs

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

  • Aberglasslyn Rd At Queen Sttransport
  • Aberglasslyn Rd Opp Third Avtransport
  • Alexandra Av At Endeavour Sttransport
  • New England Hwy At John Sttransport
  • New England Hwy Opp South Sttransport
  • Busy Beeschildcarechildcare
  • Goodstart Early Learning RutherfordchildcareDunkley Streetchildcare
  • Little Legends Pre-SchoolchildcareRichard Roadkindergarten
  • Maitland Baptist Out of School Hours CarechildcareWeblands Streetchildcare
  • Tillys Play and Development Centre Rutherfordchildcarechildcare

Data sources & freshness

Similar suburbs

Suburbs with a comparable population profile, socio-economic decile, and location.