Rutherfordton, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rutherfordton, North Carolina had a total population of 3,680, the 226th largest town in North Carolina, with a median household income of $59,375, which is 18% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Rutherfordton Quick Facts
How Rutherfordton 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 | 3,669 | 3,680 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $59,750 | $59,375 | -0.6% |
| Median home value | $226,900 | $288,400 | +27.1% |
How Rutherfordton 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rutherfordton Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Rutherford County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest City | 7,363 | $35,524 | 32.1% | $160,800 |
| Spindale | 4,131 | $41,262 | 21.8% | $167,400 |
| Lake Lure | 1,543 | $80,357 | 11.5% | $627,000 |
| Ellenboro | 901 | $49,769 | 18.3% | $164,400 |
| Ruth | 510 | $51,250 | 35.7% | $138,300 |
| Cliffside | 438 | $51,438 | 7.1% | N/A |
| Bostic | 433 | $57,813 | 17.8% | $171,900 |
| Henrietta | 197 | N/A | 20.8% | $162,500 |
| Chimney Rock Village | 122 | $64,375 | 8.2% | $477,300 |
| Caroleen | 116 | N/A | 29.3% | $137,500 |
Cities Similar to Rutherfordton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyro | 3,833 | $58,364 | $191,800 | 16.1% | 15.7% |
| Buies Creek | 3,746 | $53,933 | $361,500 | 64.5% | 40.7% |
| Rockfish | 3,574 | $64,476 | $199,900 | 23.1% | 15.2% |
| Hudson | 3,772 | $65,268 | $223,000 | 22.4% | 13.7% |
| Welcome | 3,521 | $63,353 | $200,800 | 17.1% | 9.3% |
Population Overview
Rutherfordton is a small community located in North Carolina, within Rutherford County. The total population is 3,680. It ranks as the 226th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rutherfordton is 38.9 years. This is about the same as the state median of 39.1 years. 13.2% 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 is $59,375. This is 18% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.7%. This is 3% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 7.3%. This is 54% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $288,400. Housing costs are about the same as the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 64.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rutherfordton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 10.4%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.
Education
35.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% 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 89.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rutherfordton, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Rutherfordton, North Carolina?
Rutherfordton, North Carolina has a population of 3,680 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rutherfordton, NC?
The median household income in Rutherfordton is $59,375, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rutherfordton, NC?
The poverty rate in Rutherfordton is 12.7%. This means approximately 446 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rutherfordton, North Carolina?
Rutherfordton's population is 68.5% White, 10.4% Black, 10.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rutherfordton, NC?
The median home value in Rutherfordton is $288,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
How educated is Rutherfordton, North Carolina?
35.0% of adults (25+) in Rutherfordton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.