City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Rutherford College, NC

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Rutherford College - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

1,327
Residents
$63,000
Median income
$196,600
Median home
$1,095
Median rent (state)

Rutherford College - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Rutherford College lands in the 40th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

40th
percentile, household income
42nd
percentile, home value
28th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Rutherford College, NC

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 1,327 residents in Rutherford College, a small town within North Carolina. Median household income here is $63,000 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 8.1%. Rutherford College's housing stock carries a median value of $196,600, and the median resident age is 43.0 years. About 28.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 59.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts North Carolina at 94.3 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,095 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $215 across North Carolina, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 70.2 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

1,327 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$63,000 /yr

Poverty 8.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Rutherford College compare to other US cities?

Rutherford College measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 40% higher than other cities
Home value 42% pricier than other cities
Median rent 28% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Rutherford College against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to North Carolina only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

North Carolina-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher sits close to the middle of North Carolina's city distribution

Among the 746 North Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Rutherford College ranks #250 - the 66th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Rutherford College only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#303 of 700
57th percentile in North Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#389 of 746
42nd percentile in North Carolina
Median Home Value
#336 of 708
53rd percentile in North Carolina
Poverty Rate
#402 of 746
46th percentile in North Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#250 of 746
66th percentile in North Carolina

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within North Carolina only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

40thIncome percentile

40th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Rutherford College's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$196,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 58% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Rutherford College $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Rutherford College, NC Rutherford College, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Rutherford College, NC-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Rutherford College, NC median $63,000/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Rutherford College, NC's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Rutherford College, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 28.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
1,327
Median Income
$63,000
Median Home Value
$196,600
Median Age
43.0
Poverty Rate
8.1%
Labor force participation
59.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
28.3%

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,205 residents1,210 residents1,215 residents1,220 residents1,225 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,211 residents 1,220 residents ▲ +0.7%
Rutherford College's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
94.9%
Carpool
3.1%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
2.0%

Based on 645 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for North Carolina - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$215
estimated/month

Estimates reflect North Carolina state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a North Carolina state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Rutherford College sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,095/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
70.2 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Pinetops
1,323 people
Spring Hope
1,334 people
Robersonville
1,319 people
Dortches
1,317 people
Banner Elk
1,338 people
Cordova
1,343 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Rutherford College's 1,327 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Cole Camp, MO
1,327 people
Atlantic Beach, NY
1,327 people
Shoreacres, TX
1,327 people
Stanaford, WV
1,327 people
East Camden, AR
1,326 people
Capron, IL
1,328 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Rutherford College's $63,000 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Moores Hill, IN
$63,000 median income
Keachi, LA
$63,000 median income
Hatley, MS
$63,000 median income
Exeter, NE
$63,000 median income
Steele, ND
$63,000 median income
Perry, OK
$63,000 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Rutherford College, NC Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Rutherford College, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 87.2% 7.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.3% White 87.2% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 7.4% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.1% Two or more races 3.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Rutherford College compares to nearby North Carolina cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Rutherford College (this city) 1,327 $63,000
Pinetops 1,323 $54,196
Spring Hope 1,334 $35,577
Robersonville 1,319 $43,359
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Rutherford College, NC?

What is the population of Rutherford College, NC? +

Rutherford College, NC has a population of 1,327 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Rutherford College, NC? +

The median household income in Rutherford College is $63,000 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Rutherford College? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Rutherford College; the closest available measure is the North Carolina state average, a cost of living index of 94.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within North Carolina vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Rutherford College, NC? +

A typical home in Rutherford College is worth $196,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.