VIC · Indigo Council
Rutherglen, 3685
Current weather
6.7°CModerate rain showers
74% humidity · 24.8 km/h wind · 9.2° / 2.7° today · 6.7 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Affordable
- Rural
- Green space
- Schools
- Established
Suburb profile
Rutherglen offers a slower mid-sized suburb life in Indigo, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. Life revolves around the local community, with the wider region offering trips and services when needed. Generous greenery runs through the area, from street trees to tucked-away reserves.
A mature community gives the area a calm, settled social fabric, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting. Green space is a real strength, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb.
The area offers approachable housing costs alongside a lifestyle that still feels complete. A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because local dining and lifestyle amenities and community and employment lag similar regional towns, despite relative strength in growth momentum and parks and green space. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 2,579
- Median age
- 48
- Median household income / week
- $1,306
- Dwelling vacancy
- 11.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 134 of 1,181
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,300
- Employment rate
- 54.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 80 / 63 / 0
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.
Crime & safety
- Total offences (2026)
- 140
- Against the person
- 14
- Against property
- 79
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 54.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 184 residents
- State safety percentile
- 50.5th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +15.7%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- B21 Criminal Damage14
- B322 Non-Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary9
- B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle9
- B49 Other Theft21
- E21 Breach Family Violence Order28
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- Recorded offences by suburb/town — Crime Statistics Agency (Victoria) · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Year ending March release
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 3
- Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
- 1,004
- Rutherglen High SchoolSecondary
- Rutherglen Primary SchoolPrimary
- St Mary's 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
4 public transport stops in this suburb
- High St/Main St
- High St/Main St
- High St/Murray St
- High St/Murray St
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Roadworks & transport
6 active roadworks / incidents
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 10/02/2026 and 31/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM, Weekends 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed both directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 6 to 10 min.MURRAY VALLEY HIGHWAY, FEDERATION WAY09 Feb 2026 – 30 Dec 2026
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 16/01/2026 and 30/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.HOWLONG ROAD, DOUGLAS STREET15 Jan 2026 – 29 Jul 2026
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 16/01/2026 and 30/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.DOUGLAS STREET, MAIN STREET15 Jan 2026 – 29 Jul 2026
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 16/01/2026 and 30/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.MURPHY STREET, MAIN STREET15 Jan 2026 – 29 Jul 2026
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 16/01/2026 and 30/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.MAIN STREET, MURPHY STREET15 Jan 2026 – 29 Jul 2026
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 16/01/2026 and 30/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.MAIN STREET, BOWLING GREEN LANE15 Jan 2026 – 29 Jul 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 PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).
113 planning-related records
2021· 40 proposals
August 2021
- Dwelling20 CLYDESDALE ROAD RUTHERGLEN 3685Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- 2 Lot Subdivision205 TO 209 MAIN STREET RUTHERGLEN 3685No permit required
- Real Estate Show Room168 MAIN STREET RUTHERGLEN 3685No permit required
- Shed5 PIPECLAY COURT RUTHERGLEN 3685Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- 246.984lt water tank4603 MURRAY VALLEY HIGHWAY RUTHERGLEN 3685Withdrawn
- construct 2 storage sheds36 TO 52 FORTUNE STREET RUTHERGLEN 3685Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2021
- Shed16 CAMPBELL STREET RUTHERGLEN 3685Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Dwelling - addition of shed7 PIPECLAY COURT RUTHERGLEN 3685Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Replacement garage186 HIGH STREET RUTHERGLEN 3685No permit required
- Agriculture74 SLAUGHTERHOUSE ROAD RUTHERGLEN 3685Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Farm Shed1 HOWLONG ROAD RUTHERGLEN 3685Lapsed
June 2021
- Replace signage66 MAIN STREET RUTHERGLEN 3685Withdrawn
- Dwelling extension204 HIGH STREET RUTHERGLEN 3685No permit required
- Shed extension to house ney spray paint booth70 TO 86 FORTUNE STREET RUTHERGLEN 3685Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- 60 Lot subdivsion178 NASHS ROAD RUTHERGLEN 3685In progress
- construction of seat painting of mural on wall erection of smail plaqueMURRAY STREET RUTHERGLEN 3685No permit required
- Dwelling and shed27 CLYDESDALE ROAD RUTHERGLEN 3685Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- 29 lot subdivision11A SCOTT STREET RUTHERGLEN 3685In progress
- Alterations and additions to rear152 HIGH STREET RUTHERGLEN 3685Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Replace Machinery ShedKILBORN ROAD RUTHERGLEN 3685Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Amendment to Endorsed Plans - Wrong size was placed on the endorsed plans 15x10x4 - correct size to be 20x10x4Battery RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2021
- Shed and deck8 Pipeclay CourtNo permit required
- Shed42 TO 50 READY STREET RUTHERGLEN 3685Lapsed
- Shade sail - Mural - shipping container storage - Fence66 MAIN STREET RUTHERGLEN 3685Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- 5 Lot Subdivsion (extension of time )205 to 209 Main StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Single Dwelling Remove drainage easement Consolidate lots Remove trees and vegetation Construct Driveway Construct Front Fence144 TO 146 MAIN STREET RUTHERGLEN 3685Lapsed
April 2021
- Alteratiosn/additions to retail premises57 Main StreetWithdrawn
- Landscaping, Footpaths, shade structure, outdoor tables and chairs57 Main StreetWithdrawn
- Dual occupancy & Two lot subdivision8 MOODEMERE STREET RUTHERGLEN 3685Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Dwelling5 Clare CourtNo permit required
March 2021
- Amendment to Endorsed PlansBattery RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Carport25 Clydesdale RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Single Dwelling9 Pipeclay CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Shed21 Clydesdale RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
February 2021
- Amend Endorsed Plans94 to 96 Ready StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Dwelling11 Pipeclay CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Dwelling & Shed3 Pipeclay CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Signage70 TO 86 FORTUNE STREET RUTHERGLEN 3685Permit issued by the RA
- Storage Shed44 Murray StreetPermit issued by a delegate
- Installation of Services - security cameras113A Main StreetWithdrawn
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- PPARS planning permit activity (statewide) — Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · Period: 2020–2022 · Updated on site · Public MapServer last updated Feb 2024 — applications through FY 2022–23 only; newer PPARS data requires council/API access
Amenities
3 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Jones Winery & Vineyard RestaurantRestaurant
61 Jones Road, Rutherglen
- Anderson WineryWine
1619 Chiltern-Rutherglen Road
- Jones Winery & VineyardWine
61 Jones Road, Rutherglen
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
8 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Carlyle H121 Bushland ReserveNature reserve
- Gollings SquarePark
- Green Lane Bushland ReserveNature reserve
- Lilliput H116 Bushland ReserveNature reserve
- Lilliput H117 Bushland ReserveNature reserve
- Lilliput H118 Bushland ReserveNature reserve
- Mount Ophir Bushland ReserveNature reserve
- Rutherglen Nature Conservation ReserveNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 3
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- Doctordoctor
- Miegel's PharmacyMain Streetpharmacy
- Redgum MedicalMain Streetdoctor
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)
- 3/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 3/10
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
Heritage
4 state heritage places
- FAIRFIELDNH0700
- MOUNT OPHIR WINERYNH0334
- OLIVE HILLSNH0698
- RUTHERGLEN RESEARCH INSTITUTENH1650
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Rutherglen KindergatenHigh Streetchildcare
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 Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay 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)
- 65
- Parks (OSM)
- 7
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
- 43.3/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 41% of Victoria's suburbs
- National rank
- 2709th in Australia
- State rank
- 512th in VIC
- Peer rank
- #56 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #159 among Country & regional 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
- B21 Criminal Damagecrime14
- B322 Non-Residential Non-Aggravated Burglarycrime9
- B42 Steal From A Motor Vehiclecrime9
- B49 Other Theftcrime21
- E21 Breach Family Violence Ordercrime28
- Rutherglen KindergatenchildcareHigh Streetchildcare
- FAIRFIELDheritageNH0700
- MOUNT OPHIR WINERYheritageNH0334
- OLIVE HILLSheritageNH0698
- RUTHERGLEN RESEARCH INSTITUTEheritageNH1650
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Updated on site
- Recorded offences by suburb/town — Crime Statistics Agency (Victoria) · Updated on site · Year ending March release
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Updated on site
More in Indigo Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.