🔍

Rutherglen

VIC 3685 • Rest of VIC

2,579
Population (2021)
$67,912
Median Household Income
124.54 km²
Area
$250/wk
Median Rent
HistoricRuralTourist HubRetiree-HavenHeritage

About Rutherglen

Rutherglen is a historic wine-country town in north-eastern Victoria, situated approximately 276 kilometres north-east of Melbourne and 45 kilometres west of Wodonga, within the Shire of Indigo. The town lies near the Murray River, which forms the border with New South Wales, and covers a large statistical area of around 124 square kilometres. With a population of 2,579 and a median age of 48, Rutherglen appeals strongly to retirees, established residents, and those seeking a relaxed rural lifestyle; the median household income of $1,306 per week is broadly in line with regional Victorian norms.

Rutherglen is celebrated as one of Australia's premier wine regions, renowned particularly for its fortified wines — Rutherglen Muscat and Rutherglen Tokay — produced by a cluster of iconic family-owned wineries along the Rutherglen Wine Trail. The town's heritage-listed main street features the Victoria Hotel, a range of cafes, restaurants, and boutique stores that attract year-round visitors, with the annual Rutherglen Winery Walkabout festival drawing thousands each October. V/Line bus services connect the town to Wodonga and Wangaratta, though a car is the most practical way to get around. Rutherglen's combination of rich history, world-class wine, and a warm community spirit makes it one of regional Victoria's most appealing small towns.

Rutherglen falls under postcode 3685 and is governed by Indigo Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Benambra (Northern Victoria) electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Victoria Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3685
Urban Area
Alpine - Towong - Indigo
LGA / Council
Indigo
Federal Electorate
Indi
State Electorate
Benambra (Northern Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-36.06°, 146.48°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
124.54 km²
Elevation
163m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

Median sale prices in Rutherglen for the June quarter 2025. Median sale prices published by the Valuer-General Victoria.

🏡House
$545K
13 sales · ▲ 0% YoY

Source: Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report. Medians are for the latest quarter; the change shown is the official 12-month movement. Suburbs with very few sales in a quarter can be volatile.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$250
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,300
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
48 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
4.3%

36 state housing + 9 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • V/Line bus services — Wodonga and Wangaratta 45-60 min to Wodonga

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
276 km
By Train
No direct train from Rutherglen; V/Line train from Wodonga to Melbourne takes approx. 3 hrs 30 min
By Car (Peak)
2 hr 45 min – 3 hr 30 min via Hume Freeway
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hr 30 min – 3 hr via Hume Freeway

🛣️ Car is essential for day-to-day life. Wodonga is the nearest major centre with train links. Rutherglen is a destination town, not a commuter suburb.

Walkability Car-Dependent

The town centre and main street are walkable for local errands and dining, but the wider area and winery trail require a car.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
134.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 27.5%
Motor vehicle theft
100.6 / 100k
2yr Down 15.4% 10yr Up 441.9%
Non-FV assault
128.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 15.4%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
307.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 451.9%
View all offence subgroups for Indigo →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,378
Census 2021
2,579
▲ 8.5% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$31,668
Personal Income 2021
$37,544
▲ 18.6% 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
$37,544 / yr
$722/wk
Household
$67,912 / yr
$1306/wk
Family
$94,432 / yr
$1816/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,281
Born Overseas 186

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 64
  • 2. New Zealand 37
  • 3. Netherlands 16
  • 4. Germany 13
  • 5. Scotland 8
  • 6. South Africa 6
  • 7. Philippines 4
  • 8. China 3
  • 9. India 3
  • 10. Italy 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,182
Australian 1,097
Irish 413
Scottish 335
German 159
Italian 78
Australian Aboriginal 51
Dutch 36
Chinese 17
Maori 12

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,036
Both parents born in Australia
228
Both parents born overseas
200
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
50.4%
No Religion
43.1%
Buddhism
0.4%
Hinduism
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
125 (4.8%)
5-14 years
305 (11.8%)
15-19 years
141 (5.5%)
20-24 years
97 (3.8%)
25-34 years
255 (9.9%)
35-44 years
267 (10.4%)
45-54 years
314 (12.2%)
55-64 years
381 (14.8%)
65-74 years
398 (15.4%)
75-84 years
214 (8.3%)
85+ years
81 (3.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rutherglen known for? +

Rutherglen is internationally renowned as one of Australia's great wine regions, particularly famous for its rich fortified wines — Rutherglen Muscat and Tokay — produced by a cluster of historic family-owned wineries. The heritage-lined main street and the annual Winery Walkabout festival also draw visitors from across the country.

How far is Rutherglen from Melbourne? +

Rutherglen is approximately 276 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, a drive of around 2.5–3.5 hours via the Hume Freeway. The nearest major town with V/Line train services to Melbourne is Wodonga, about 45 kilometres to the east.

Does Rutherglen have public transport? +

Rutherglen is served by V/Line bus services connecting to Wodonga and Wangaratta, where V/Line train services to Melbourne are available. There is no direct rail service to Rutherglen; a car is the most practical transport option for residents.

What is the population of Rutherglen? +

According to the 2021 Census, Rutherglen has a population of 2,579 residents with a median age of 48, reflecting the town's strong appeal to retirees and established long-term residents.

Is Rutherglen a good place to live? +

Rutherglen offers an exceptional quality of life for those drawn to a relaxed rural setting, rich history, and world-class wine culture. It is ideally suited to retirees, lifestyle seekers, and those working remotely, though its distance from major cities means most services and employment are found in Wodonga or Wangaratta.

What is the postcode for Rutherglen? +

The postcode for Rutherglen is 3685.

What is the average income in Rutherglen? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Rutherglen is about $722 per week (around $37,500 per year). The median household income is $1,306 per week and the median family income is $1,816 per week.

What is the median house price in Rutherglen? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $545,000, up 0% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Rutherglen? +

The median age in Rutherglen is 48. The largest age group is 65–74 (398 residents, around 15%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 27% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Rutherglen a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Rutherglen is part of the Indigo 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 Rutherglen? +

In Rutherglen, the median weekly rent is $250, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,300 (2021 Census).