Rutherford College, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rutherford College, North Carolina had a total population of 1,374, the 403rd largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $67,500, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.2%.
Rutherford College Quick Facts
How Rutherford College Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,327 | 1,374 | +3.5% |
| Median household income | $63,000 | $67,500 | +7.1% |
| Median home value | $196,600 | $185,600 | -5.6% |
How Rutherford College Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rutherford College Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Burke County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morganton | 17,646 | $51,355 | 25.7% | $221,700 |
| Valdese | 4,704 | $50,740 | 12.8% | $209,800 |
| Connelly Springs | 2,427 | $54,620 | 9.2% | $206,500 |
| Salem | 2,377 | $68,988 | 19.1% | $159,100 |
| Hildebran | 2,207 | $55,703 | 21.1% | $193,900 |
| Icard | 2,153 | $44,641 | 18.4% | $141,800 |
| Drexel | 2,146 | $61,992 | 11.7% | $214,400 |
| Glen Alpine | 1,991 | $69,697 | 11.0% | $172,800 |
| Rhodhiss | 1,166 | $63,125 | 10.4% | $134,700 |
Cities Similar to Rutherford College
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maury | 1,339 | N/A | N/A | 3.3% | 54.7% |
| Bent Creek | 1,384 | $72,176 | $404,000 | 35.0% | 15.6% |
| Stony Point | 1,372 | $73,209 | $171,800 | 17.3% | 1.7% |
| Cordova | 1,372 | $60,952 | $155,000 | 8.9% | 46.7% |
| Buxton | 1,267 | N/A | $409,900 | 25.5% | 6.7% |
Population Overview
Rutherford College is a small community located in North Carolina, within Burke County. The total population is 1,374. It ranks as the 403rd most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rutherford College is 41.2 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rutherford College is $67,500. This is 7% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 16% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.7%. This is 41% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.2%. This is 53% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $185,600. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $288,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Rutherford College is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Rutherford College has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.0%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
26.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rutherford College, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Rutherford College, North Carolina?
Rutherford College, North Carolina has a population of 1,374 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rutherford College, NC?
The median household income in Rutherford College is $67,500, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rutherford College, NC?
The poverty rate in Rutherford College is 7.7%. This means approximately 106 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rutherford College, North Carolina?
Rutherford College's population is 87.5% White, 0.0% Black, 5.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rutherford College, NC?
The median home value in Rutherford College is $185,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Rutherford College, North Carolina?
26.3% of adults (25+) in Rutherford College hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.