Rutherford
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Rutherford, NSW 2320.
About Rutherford
Welcome to Rutherford
Rutherford sits in the Maitland local government area of the Hunter Region, about 35 kilometres north-west of Newcastle and a short drive from Maitland's city centre. It's a suburb that has grown steadily around its role as a practical, family-friendly base in the Lower Hunter, bordered by Farley, Telarah, Aberglasslyn, Maitland and Oakhampton Heights.
With a population of around 13,091 and a median age of 35, Rutherford has the feel of a settled family suburb rather than a transient one. It suits buyers and renters after space and value within easy reach of Maitland's shops, schools and the New England Highway, rather than those chasing inner-city density or nightlife.
Lifestyle & dining
Life in Rutherford tends to revolve around the everyday essentials done well: local shopping strips, sporting fields and quick trips into nearby Maitland for a wider choice of cafes, pubs and restaurants. It's not a suburb built around a dining scene of its own, but that proximity to Maitland means residents don't have to go far for a decent coffee, a pub meal or a night out.
The pace here suits young families and professionals who want a quieter home base. Weekends are more likely to be spent at a junior sports club or a Bunnings run than queuing for brunch, and that low-key rhythm is a big part of the suburb's appeal.
Schools & families
Rutherford is well served for a suburb its size, with Rutherford Public School and St Paul's Primary School covering the early years, and Rutherford Technology High School offering a local option for secondary students who might otherwise have to travel into Maitland. That spread of options across primary and secondary schooling is a key reason the suburb attracts and keeps families.
With a median age of 35, Rutherford's population skews towards younger households and families with kids at school, which shows up in the steady demand for three and four-bedroom houses over units.
Getting around
Rutherford's location just off the New England Highway makes it a practical spot for commuters, with Maitland's train station and town centre only a short drive away for those heading further afield to Newcastle or the Hunter Valley wine country. Neighbouring Telarah and Aberglasslyn add to the sense of a connected pocket of suburbs feeding into central Maitland.
Most daily errands, from schools to shops to sporting facilities, are within a few minutes' drive, which suits a suburb where car ownership is the norm rather than the exception.
Housing & architecture
The housing stock in Rutherford is overwhelmingly detached houses, which make up 92% of current listings, with townhouses and apartments a minor share at 3% and 5% respectively. Expect a mix of established brick-veneer homes from earlier release stages alongside newer builds in more recently developed pockets toward Aberglasslyn and Oakhampton Heights.
Block sizes and floor plans generally favour families, with room for a yard and off-street parking, rather than the compact, low-maintenance townhouses and units found in more built-up parts of the Hunter.
The property market
Rutherford's median house price currently sits at $744,000, having climbed 17.2% recently, a strong run that reflects the broader demand for family housing in the Maitland area. Units and townhouses remain a much smaller and more affordable slice of the market, with a median unit price of $525,000.
Renters looking at Rutherford are typically paying around $600 a week, a figure that lines up with a suburb dominated by family houses rather than compact rental stock. For buyers priced out of Newcastle or looking for growth potential within commuting distance of it, Rutherford's recent performance has made it a suburb worth watching, particularly for those focused on standalone houses rather than units.
Market snapshot
Rutherford property market
Median sale price
$744k
House · 3 bed
Median rent
$600
per week
Gross rental yield
4.2%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$611k
Median
$744k
Premium
$848k
Days on market
14
Auction clearance
0%
Sold this year
154
Median sold price trend · House 3 bed
Compound growth +7.8% / yr over 4 yrs
Median price by bedrooms · House
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Rutherford by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Rutherford, NSW 2320.
Population
13,091
residents (2021)
Median age
35
years
Household income
$1,475
median, per week
Median rent
$360
per week
Median mortgage
$1,733
per month
Mortgage / income
27%
comfortable
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Rutherford
Government school catchment
Independent & Catholic schools
Recent results
Recently sold in Rutherford
$855k
14 Peridot Street
Sold ~July 2026
$850k
39 Benjamin Circle
Sold ~July 2026
$760k
68 Brigantine Street
Sold ~July 2026
$800k
3 Clayton Crescent
Sold ~July 2026
$835k
60 Brigantine Street
Sold ~July 2026
$785k
16 Robert Close
Sold ~July 2026
$895k
11 Canter Close
Sold ~July 2026
$921k
2 Richard Road
Sold ~July 2026
Sold prices as published on the original listing; some may reflect the last advertised price. Dates are approximate.
Explore the area
Properties & amenities in Rutherford
Compare the area
Price map around Rutherford
Every listing for sale near Rutherford, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
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Nearby suburbs
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Common questions
Rutherford suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Rutherford?
The median house price in Rutherford, NSW is $744k for a 3-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have risen about 17.2%.
How much is rent in Rutherford?
The median weekly rent in Rutherford is around $600 per week.
Is Rutherford a good place to live?
Rutherford is a suburb in the City of Maitland in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. Rutherford is an established residential suburb in NSW, with a population of around 13,091 and 3 schools in the area.
What is the population of Rutherford?
Rutherford has a population of 13,091 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 35.
What schools are in Rutherford?
There are 3 schools in or near Rutherford, including Rutherford Public School, St Paul's Primary School and Rutherford Technology High School.
How long do homes take to sell in Rutherford?
Properties in Rutherford take around 14 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 0%.
How much do you need to buy in Rutherford?
Entry-level properties in Rutherford start around $611k, while premium homes reach $848k.
What suburbs are near Rutherford?
Suburbs near Rutherford include Farley, Telarah, Aberglasslyn, Maitland and Oakhampton Heights.
Fresh to market
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