NSW · Maitland Council
Rutherford, 2320
Current weather
17.5°CClear sky
65% humidity · 12.2 km/h wind · 21.9° / 12.6° today · 2.5 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- High desirability
- Excellent transport
- Dog friendly
Suburb profile
Rutherford is a well-connected established suburb in Maitland with everyday amenities close at hand. The city and surrounding suburbs are both within comfortable reach, which keeps daily life flexible. Generous greenery runs through the area, from street trees to tucked-away reserves.
Families and commuters make up much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout. There are enough cafés and casual dining options to keep weekends interesting. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls.
Getting around the metro area is straightforward, with transport tying neighbouring communities together. Homes are relatively affordable, which helps families and first-time residents put down roots.
On the desirability index, the suburb rates good overall, led by growth momentum and parks and green space, while community and employment and safety sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar metro suburbs.
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
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
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.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 1,390
- Against the person
- 382
- Against property
- 505
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 106.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 34 residents
- State safety percentile
- 74.9th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -5.2%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions609
- Domestic Violence Related Assault329
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment381
- Malicious Damage To Property307
- Steal From Motor Vehicle237
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
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
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
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
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
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· 40 proposals
June 2026
- Industrial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure91 GARDINER STREET RUTHERFORD 2320Additional Information Requested
- Shed; Erection of a new structure55 RICHARD ROAD RUTHERFORD 2320Under Assessment
- Subdivision20 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 station9 MIRAGE ROAD RUTHERFORD 2320Under Assessment
- Subdivision7 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 structure18 BINGARA STREET RUTHERFORD 2320Under Assessment
- Subdivision372 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 facility71 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 industry79 MUSTANG DRIVE RUTHERFORD 2320Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool99 GRAND PARADE RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure67 TOURNAMENT STREET RUTHERFORD 2320Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support23 PETER STREET RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure18 BUNNING AVENUE RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
- Subdivision39 & 41 fairfax street rutherfordAdditional Information Requested
May 2026
- Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support45 ABERGLASSLYN ROAD RUTHERFORD 2320Additional Information Requested
- Shed; Erection of a new structure39 GILLIES STREET RUTHERFORD 2320Under Assessment
- Demolition; Advertising and signage; Erection of a new structure; Service station; Food and drink premise258-264 NEW ENGLAND HIGHWAY RUTHERFORD 2320Additional Information Requested
April 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure98 WEBLANDS STREET RUTHERFORD 2320Under Assessment
- Subdivision11 ALVIRA CLOSE RUTHERFORD 2320Under Assessment
- Demolition; Horticulture279 NEW ENGLAND HIGHWAY RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Car park14 ARTHUR STREET RUTHERFORD 2320Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support23 JOHN VERGE AVENUE RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure10 CHRISTINE CLOSE RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
- Subdivision7 AARON COVE RUTHERFORD 2320Rejected
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool11 BAIRDS CLOSE RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure65 REGIMENT ROAD RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure52 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 Premises59 MUSTANG DRIVE RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support23 JOHN VERGE AVENUE RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Portable swimming pools and spas and child-resistant barriers25 MILEHAM CIRCUIT RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 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 station92 GARDINER STREET RUTHERFORD 2320Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool20 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 structure30 MIDFIELD CLOSE RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool113 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
- Subdivision19 PARKES STREET RUTHERFORD 2320Withdrawn
January 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool15 CANTER CLOSE RUTHERFORD 2320Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
303 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).
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
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
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
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
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
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.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
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
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
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.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
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.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 62.6/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 11% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 624th in Australia
- State rank
- 233rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #67 among Metro Sydney · Growth area suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #169 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- 1825 Interiorsamenitiesfurniture
- 459 New England Hwyamenitiesbus_stop
- 7-Elevenamenitiescompressed_air
- Adairsamenitieshousehold_linen
- Addil Indian & Kebabamenitiesfast_food
- Alexandra Av at West Mallamenitiesbus_stop
- Amart Furnitureamenitiesfurniture
- AmpChargeamenitiescharging_station
- Anacondaamenitiesoutdoor
- Anambah Rd at Niven Pdeamenitiesbus_stop
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Maitland Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.