🔍

Rushworth

VIC 3612 • Rest of VIC

1,411
Population (2021)
$44,200
Median Household Income
172.56 km²
Area
$190/wk
Median Rent
HistoricRuralHeritageRetiree-HavenAffordable

About Rushworth

Rushworth is a historic gold rush township in northern Victoria's Campaspe Shire, located approximately 160 kilometres north of Melbourne and 50 kilometres south-east of Echuca along the Midland Highway. With a population of 1,411, the community is predominantly long-established and older in character, with a median age of 56 — among the higher values in regional Victoria — and a majority of residents with English, Australian, and Scottish ancestry. Housing costs are very affordable, with median weekly rent of just $190 and a median monthly mortgage of $997, making it accessible for retirees and those seeking a low-cost regional lifestyle.

Rushworth retains a charming streetscape of Victorian-era commercial buildings on High Street, a legacy of its 19th-century gold mining boom, and the nearby Whroo Historic Reserve offers fascinating remnants of the Balaclava goldfields including old mine shafts, a cemetery, and native box-ironbark woodland. The town is also historically associated with eucalyptus oil production from the surrounding box-ironbark forests. Basic services including a supermarket, primary and secondary schools, a medical centre, and community facilities are available locally, while Echuca and Shepparton provide broader retail and hospital services. The town appeals particularly to retirees, lifestyle-seekers, and those with a love of history and the quiet rhythms of a small regional community.

Rushworth falls under postcode 3612 and is governed by Campaspe Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Euroa (Northern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3612
Urban Area
Campaspe - West
LGA / Council
Campaspe
Federal Electorate
Nicholls
State Electorate
Euroa (Northern Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-36.59°, 145.03°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
172.56 km²
Elevation
147m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$190
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$997
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
56 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.5%

3 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Victorian regional coach (V/Line) — Echuca / Shepparton (connecting to Melbourne) 50–60 min to Echuca or Shepparton

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
160 km
By Train
Drive to Shepparton (~50 km east), then V/Line train to Southern Cross Station (~2 hr 30 min total)
By Car (Peak)
2 hr 15 min – 2 hr 45 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 45 min – 2 hr 15 min

🛣️ Midland Highway connects south to the Hume Freeway corridor. Most residents drive to Shepparton or Echuca for major services.

Walkability Car-Dependent

The compact High Street has some local shops and services walkable from the town centre, but most residents rely on cars for regular errands and specialist services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Campaspe Local Government Area, which contains Rushworth. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
431.9 / 100k
2yr Down 26.5% 10yr Down 12.2%
Motor vehicle theft
214.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-FV assault
395.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 25.9%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
557.5 / 100k
2yr Down 17.6% 10yr Up 12.7%
View all offence subgroups for Campaspe →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,335
Census 2021
1,411
▲ 5.7% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$23,816
Personal Income 2021
$25,272
▲ 6.1% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$25,272 / yr
$486/wk
Household
$44,200 / yr
$850/wk
Family
$61,204 / yr
$1177/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,091
Born Overseas 157

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 41
  • 2. Thailand 18
  • 3. Philippines 13
  • 4. Netherlands 10
  • 5. New Zealand 9
  • 6. Italy 7
  • 7. Scotland 6
  • 8. United States 6
  • 9. India 5
  • 10. Malta 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 581
Australian 542
Scottish 160
Irish 145
German 70
Dutch 42
Australian Aboriginal 41
Italian 37
Filipino 16
Maltese 14

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

917
Both parents born in Australia
200
Both parents born overseas
133
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
46.4%
No Religion
39.1%
Buddhism
2.1%
Sikhism
0.4%
Islam
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
52 (3.7%)
5-14 years
131 (9.3%)
15-19 years
54 (3.8%)
20-24 years
41 (2.9%)
25-34 years
104 (7.4%)
35-44 years
100 (7.1%)
45-54 years
195 (13.8%)
55-64 years
279 (19.8%)
65-74 years
260 (18.4%)
75-84 years
147 (10.4%)
85+ years
53 (3.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rushworth known for? +

Rushworth is known for its beautifully preserved Victorian gold rush heritage, particularly the historic streetscape along High Street and the nearby Whroo Historic Reserve, which contains remnants of the 19th-century Balaclava goldfields. The town is also associated with eucalyptus oil production from the surrounding box-ironbark forests.

How far is Rushworth from Melbourne? +

Rushworth is approximately 160 kilometres north of Melbourne, roughly a 2 to 2.5 hour drive via the Midland Highway or the Hume Freeway corridor under normal traffic conditions.

Does Rushworth have public transport? +

There is no passenger rail service to Rushworth; the nearest train stations are at Shepparton (approximately 50 km east) and Echuca (approximately 50 km north-west). Limited V/Line coach services connect the town to regional centres, but a car is the primary mode of transport for most residents.

What is the population of Rushworth? +

According to the 2021 Census, Rushworth has a population of 1,411. The community has a notably older age profile, with a median age of 56, and has seen a modest decline since the 2016 population of 1,335.

Is Rushworth a good place to live? +

Rushworth is ideal for retirees and those seeking an affordable, peaceful lifestyle in a historic regional town surrounded by bushland. It offers low housing costs, a tight-knit community, and easy access to the natural landscapes of the Whroo Reserve and Campaspe region, though residents need to travel to Shepparton or Echuca for specialist services and larger shopping.

What is the postcode for Rushworth? +

The postcode for Rushworth is 3612.

What is the average income in Rushworth? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Rushworth is about $486 per week (around $25,300 per year). The median household income is $850 per week and the median family income is $1,177 per week.

What is the age profile of Rushworth? +

The median age in Rushworth is 56. The largest age group is 55–64 (279 residents, around 20%). Around 17% of residents are under 20 and about 33% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Rushworth a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Rushworth is part of the Campaspe LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Rushworth? +

In Rushworth, the median weekly rent is $190, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $997 (2021 Census).