Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
Rutherglen suburb profile
Rutherglen, VIC · Postcode 3685
This Rutherglen suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for Rutherglen, VIC (postcode 3685). Use it as a free suburb report covering population, median rent, household income, age, housing tenure and employment, plus how those figures changed since Census 2016— then compare Rutherglen with nearby suburbs.
Rutherglen at a glance
Population
2,579
Median rent
$250/wk
Household income
$1,306/wk
Median age
48
Rutherglen trends (2016 → 2021)
Change since the previous Census. Historical figures are mapped from State Suburbs (SSC) to today's suburb boundaries.
Population
Census 2011 → 2016 → 2021
+9.6% over 10 years
Population
2,579
was 2,378 in 2016
+201 · +8.5%
Median rent
$250/wk
was $200/wk in 2016
+$50 · +25%
Household income
$1,306/wk
was $1,106/wk in 2016
+$200 · +18.1%
Median age
48
was 47 in 2016
+1 · +2.1%
Dig deeper: Rutherglen population growth · Rutherglen then and now
Rutherglen vs nearby & VIC
Median Census 2021 figures for Rutherglen, nearby suburbs (8), and the VIC state median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
-31.7% vs area
- Rutherglen$250/wk
- Nearby$291.5/wk
- VIC$366/wk
Household income
-28% vs area
- Rutherglen$1,306/wk
- Nearby$1,597/wk
- VIC$1,813/wk
Median age
+20% vs area
- Rutherglen48
- Nearby39
- VIC40
Personal income
-10.1% vs area
- Rutherglen$722/wk
- Nearby$800.5/wk
- VIC$803/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in VIC.
Socio-economic profile
How Rutherglen compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
Rutherglen sits below average for socio-economic advantage compared with suburbs Australia-wide. It shows limited economic resources and lower education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 3975
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 3945.3
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 3988.6
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 3933.6
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
Rutherglen on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for Rutherglen, VIC.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
Rutherglen people
- Population
- 2,579
- Median age
- 48
- Born overseas
- 7.2%
- Average household size
- 2.3
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
Rutherglen income
- Median household income
- $1,306/wk
- Median personal income
- $722/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
Rutherglen housing
- Median rent
- $250/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $1,300/mo
- Separate houses
- 81.8%
- Flats & apartments
- 0%
- Owned outright
- 37.7%
- Mortgaged
- 30.4%
- Rented
- 16.7%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 11.3%
Median weekly rent for rented dwellings
Median monthly mortgage repayment
Percentage of dwellings that are separate houses
Percentage of dwellings that are flats or apartments
Percentage of dwellings owned without a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings with a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings rented
Percentage of private dwellings unoccupied on Census night
Rutherglen work
- Employment to population
- 54.5%
- Unemployment rate
- 3.2%
- Year 12 or above
- 42.1%
Employed persons as a percentage of population aged 15+
Unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force
Percentage with Year 12 or equivalent as highest school level
Nearby suburb profiles (near 3685)
Compare Rutherglen with nearby suburbs
Rutherglen in numbers
Rutherglen had 2,579 residents at the 2021 Census. The median age is 48, 17% above the typical VIC suburb. The average household has 2.3 people. 7.2% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 37.7% own their home outright, 30.4% are paying a mortgage, 16.7% rent. Separate houses make up 81.8% of dwellings, with 0% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $250/wk, 29% below the typical VIC suburb.
Median household income was $1,306/wk, 27% below the typical VIC suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 3.2%. 42.1% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 3 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 8.5% (from 2,378 to 2,579). Median rent moved from $200/wk to $250/wk (+25%).
Rutherglen suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in Rutherglen, VIC?
- The median weekly rent in Rutherglen was $250/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in Rutherglen, VIC?
- Rutherglen had 2,579 residents at the 2021 Census, up 8.5% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in Rutherglen?
- Median household income in Rutherglen was $1,306/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in Rutherglen?
- 16.7% of occupied homes in Rutherglen were rented, 37.7% were owned outright and 30.4% were owned with a mortgage.
About this Rutherglen suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching Rutherglen. Where shown, 2016 values come from the 2016 State Suburbs (SSC) profile, linked via ABS geographic correspondence — boundaries are not always identical. Medians may be suppressed for very small areas. This is not financial or relocation advice — use it alongside current market data.
Source: ABS Census 2021. Methodology