County · North Carolina
Rutherford County, North Carolina
Rutherford County, North Carolina. Rutherford County had 65,745 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.0% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 11 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs and 3 census-designated) and 22 census tracts. GEOID 37161.
Rutherford County is the county of the Forest City, NC micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
65,745
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 64,444 · ACS 2020-2024: 64,930
Median household income
$51,410
±$2,731 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$201,800
±$9,065 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$783
±$19 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Rutherford County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 64,444 residents in Rutherford County. The Census Bureau estimates 65,745 for July 1, 2025, up 2.0% since 2020, slower than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 64,930 over 565 square miles of land.
| Measure | Rutherford County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 64,930 | 10,730,404 | −1,669 |
| Households | 26,642±396 | 4,282,345 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.39±0.04 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 32,775±47 | 4,895,668 | −1,626 |
Rutherford County's population since 2000
From 62,899 in 2000 to 65,745 in 2025: up 4.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Rutherford County?
Rutherford County holds 11 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Forest City with 7,410 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Forest City | 7,377 | $35,524 |
|---|---|---|
| Spindale | 4,225 | $41,262 |
| Rutherfordton | 3,640 | $59,375 |
| Lake Lure | 1,365 | $80,357 |
| Ellenboro | 723 | $49,769 |
| CaroleenGEOID 3710460 | 560 | not published |
| CliffsideGEOID 3713100 | 530 | $51,438 |
| HenriettaGEOID 3730800 | 395 | not published |
| Bostic | 355 | $57,813 |
| Ruth | 347 | $51,250 |
| Chimney Rock VillageGEOID 3712460 | 140 | $64,375 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Rutherford County?
The median resident of Rutherford County is 45.3 years old; 20.1% are under 18 and 22.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 80.8%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 7.7%. 3.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Rutherford County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.3±0.4 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.1% | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.3%±0.1 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.7% | 11.3% | +1.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 80.8%±0.5 pts | 60.0% | −2.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 7.7%±0.7 pts | 20.0% | −1.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.4%±0.8 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.1%±0.4 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.6%±0.6 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.4%±0.7 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 21.2%±1.9 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.0%±1.2 pts | 9.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.2%±1.4 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.5%±1.8 pts | 35.7% | +3.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.2%±1.2 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.1%±0.7 pts | 3.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Rutherford County earn?
Half of Rutherford County's 26,642 households earn less than $51,410 a year (±$2,731), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $52,437 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 16.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Rutherford County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $51,410±$2,731 | $72,388 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $72,230±$3,168 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,460±$1,251 | $41,385 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 16.8%±1.9 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 20.2%±4.0 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.5%±2.0 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 82.9%±2.2 pts | 90.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Rutherford County?
Owners occupy 73.9% of Rutherford County's occupied homes and renters 26.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $201,800 by its owner (±$9,065). The median renter pays $783 a month including utilities, and 38.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Rutherford County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $201,800±$9,065 | $288,900 | +$56,209 |
| Median gross rent | $783±$19 | $1,228 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.2%±5.5 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,226±$43 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 73.9%±2.1 pts | 66.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 32,775±47 | 4,895,668 | −1,626 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4%±0.7 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 9.1%±2.0 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 72.3%±2.1 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 17.5%±1.9 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.4%±0.4 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.6%±1.2 pts | 4.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Rutherford County building?
Builders took permits for 269 new housing units across Rutherford County in 2025 (203 single-family), 4.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Rutherford County get to work?
79.7% of Rutherford County's workers drive alone and 8.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.3%.
| Measure | Rutherford County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.9%±1.9 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3%±1.3 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.7%±2.5 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.9%±1.9 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 1.4%±0.8 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.6%±1.4 pts | 16.3% | +5.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.1 min±0.9 | 25.1 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Rutherford County's census tracts?
Rutherford County is divided into 22 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $31,755 (Tract 9608) to $80,179 (Tract 9601.01).
All 22 census tracts of Rutherford County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Rutherford County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 43rd of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 68th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 49th of 100 |
| Median household income | 81st of 100 |
| Median home value | 59th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 77th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 33rd of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 59th of 100 |
| Median age | 35th of 100 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Rutherford County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.