Rutherfordton town, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Rutherfordton town, North Carolina has a total population of 3,669, the 224th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $59,750, which is 15% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.1%.
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 9.0% is notably above the national average.
Rutherfordton town Quick Facts
How Rutherfordton town Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 57 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rutherfordton town Rankings in North Carolina
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Cities Similar to Rutherfordton town
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyro CDP | 3,635 | $57,198 | $182,000 | 17.0% | 16.4% |
| Glen Raven CDP | 3,684 | $64,189 | $204,000 | 18.9% | 13.5% |
| Gamewell town | 3,701 | $55,977 | $154,100 | 4.4% | 17.3% |
| Hudson town | 3,777 | $61,600 | $196,200 | 25.4% | 17.5% |
| Welcome CDP | 3,649 | $65,342 | $171,100 | 14.7% | 8.9% |
Population Overview
Rutherfordton town is a small community located in North Carolina, within Rutherford County. The total population is 3,669. It ranks as the 224th most populous out of 774 cities and towns in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rutherfordton town is 39.0 years. This is about average than the state median of 39.1 years. 13.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rutherfordton town is $59,750. This is 15% lower than the state median of $69,904. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 24% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.1%. This is 45% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.2%. The unemployment rate is 9.0%. This is 86% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $226,900. Housing costs are 13% lower than the state median of $259,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 65.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 66.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rutherfordton town is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.4%. The Black or African American population (9.4%) is well below the state average of 20.3%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.1%.
Education
29.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 34.7%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rutherfordton town, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 774 Census-designated places in North Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Rutherfordton town, North Carolina?
Rutherfordton town, North Carolina has a population of 3,669 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rutherfordton town, NC?
The median household income in Rutherfordton town is $59,750, which is 24% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Rutherfordton town, NC?
The poverty rate in Rutherfordton town is 19.1%. This means approximately 660 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rutherfordton town, North Carolina?
Rutherfordton town's population is 72.2% White, 9.4% Black, 7.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rutherfordton town, NC?
The median home value in Rutherfordton town is $226,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Rutherfordton town, North Carolina?
29.5% of adults (25+) in Rutherfordton town hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.