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CITY

Ruth

North Carolina · 345 residents (2025 est.) · 0.424 sq mi
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The short version

Ruth has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $51,250. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 55% since 2000. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $138,300. The poverty rate of 35.7% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 29% less than the North Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 35.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
510
+55%since 2000
from 329 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,203 / sq mi
+55%since 2000
from 776 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
35.0
−10%since 2000
from 38.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:345 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3003874755636501990201020202024Ruth
2024510
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,250
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,083 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,639
+38%since 2000
from $16,402 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
34.8%
+14.5 ptssince 2009
from 20.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
35.7%
+28.5 ptssince 2000
from 7.2% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.443
+6%since 2010
from 0.417 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information12.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade7.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance5.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade2.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2%
US avg: 1.6%
Other services2%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Construction1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing1%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.9%
Public administration1%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$138,300
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $62,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$675
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $421 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
75.3%
−2.1 ptssince 2000
from 77.4% in 2000
24.7% rent
Vacancy rate
13.9%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
26.2%
+12.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
63.3%
−15.7 ptssince 2009
from 78.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.7
+39%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
42
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ruth on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91.5%(301)
Black6.4%(21)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(4)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score17.9%(59)
2024
White, non-Hispanic84.9%(433)
Black1%(5)
Hispanic / Latino8.6%(44)
Asian0.2%(1)
Other5.3%(27)
Diversity Score33.6%(171)
Diversity Score
34
+88%since 2000
from 18 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.3%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 9.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
82.6%
+23.8 ptssince 2000
from 58.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2000
from 4.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.8 min
+113%since 2000
from 11.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
84.3%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 85.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 11.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
1.0%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.5%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
1.5%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
12.6%
+8.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.0%
−14.0 ptssince 2011
from 15.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
51.1%
−12.6 ptssince 2011
from 63.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.9%
+6.1 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
27.2%
−24.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
55.5%
+5.8 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Female
44.5%
−5.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Foreign born
3.7%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.1%
−42.9 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
27.6%
+11.0 ptssince 2012
from 16.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
17.5%
−56.6 ptssince 2013
from 74.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.9%
+33.6 ptssince 2017
from 58.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.9%
+5.7 ptssince 2016
from 90.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.5%
+0.9 ptssince 2016
from 2.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Ruth, North Carolina?

Ruth, North Carolina has about 510 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ruth, North Carolina?

The typical household in Ruth, North Carolina earns about $51,250 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ruth, North Carolina expensive?

In Ruth, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $138,300, and the typical rent is about $675 a month.

How educated are people in Ruth, North Carolina?

About 14.3% of adults age 25 and over in Ruth, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ruth, North Carolina?

About 35.7% of people in Ruth, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ruth, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Ruth, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 94 residents, a change of about 23 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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