Rutherford, Pennsylvania Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rutherford, Pennsylvania had a total population of 6,890, the 172nd largest community in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $83,636, which is 7% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- One of the most racially diverse communities in Pennsylvania (diversity index: 71/100).
Rutherford Quick Facts
How Rutherford 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 | 6,982 | 6,890 | -1.3% |
| Median household income | $77,306 | $83,636 | +8.2% |
| Median home value | $189,300 | $214,200 | +13.2% |
How Rutherford 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
This community is exceptionally diverse, with no single racial or ethnic group dominating the population.
State average: 45 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Rutherford Rankings in Pennsylvania
Explore Pennsylvania Rankings
Other Cities in Dauphin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg | 50,287 | $48,099 | 30.5% | $124,200 |
| Colonial Park | 18,032 | $73,105 | 9.9% | $231,100 |
| Hershey | 14,242 | $78,587 | 17.6% | $379,200 |
| Progress | 11,017 | $73,030 | 10.4% | $202,500 |
| Middletown | 9,632 | $55,765 | 12.4% | $161,600 |
| Linglestown | 6,957 | $92,558 | 4.2% | $259,400 |
| Steelton | 6,296 | $58,194 | 19.6% | $134,800 |
| Lawnton | 4,765 | $84,861 | 2.5% | $222,600 |
| Skyline View | 4,704 | $97,982 | 2.6% | $299,600 |
| Hummelstown | 4,527 | $63,175 | 11.8% | $245,100 |
Cities Similar to Rutherford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ambler | 6,847 | $77,394 | $377,300 | 47.7% | 6.0% |
| West View | 6,533 | $84,063 | $227,100 | 44.3% | 8.8% |
| Catasauqua | 6,541 | $85,049 | $209,900 | 30.8% | 9.6% |
| Linglestown | 6,957 | $92,558 | $259,400 | 38.0% | 4.2% |
| Homeacre-Lyndora | 6,783 | $74,217 | $202,800 | 33.2% | 11.0% |
Population Overview
Rutherford is a small city located in Pennsylvania, within Dauphin County. The total population is 6,890. It ranks as the 172nd most populous out of 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rutherford is 34.8 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 40.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rutherford is $83,636. This is 7% higher than the state median of $77,971. It is also 4% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.3%. This is 29% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $214,200. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $254,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Rutherford is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 69.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Rutherford is White (non-Hispanic), making up 45.2% of the population. Asian residents account for 20.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (16.0% vs 8.7%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (20.7% vs 3.8%).
Education
22.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 36% lower than the state rate of 35.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rutherford, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,991 Census-designated places in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Rutherford, Pennsylvania?
Rutherford, Pennsylvania has a population of 6,890 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rutherford, PA?
The median household income in Rutherford is $83,636, which is 4% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rutherford, PA?
The poverty rate in Rutherford is 8.3%. This means approximately 573 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rutherford, Pennsylvania?
Rutherford's population is 45.2% White, 14.4% Black, 16.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 20.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rutherford, PA?
The median home value in Rutherford is $214,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Rutherford, Pennsylvania?
22.6% of adults (25+) in Rutherford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.