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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Rutherfordton

North Carolina · 4,131 residents · 4.143 sq mi
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The short version

Rutherfordton has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $37,941. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $98,200. With a median age of 40.3, the population is older than the US median of 35.2.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 40.3
US median: 35.2
More educated
29% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Less affordable
home values up 29%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,131
+14%since 1990
from 3,617 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
997 / sq mi
+14%since 1990
from 873 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
40.3
+3%since 1990
from 39.1 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K4K4K1990201020202024Rutherfordton
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$37,941
+16%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $24,886 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,742
+56%since 1990
from $13,909 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
10.8%
−5.0 ptssince 1990
from 15.9% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$98,200
+29%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $57,700 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$423
+2%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $314 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
63.0%
−1.7 ptssince 1990
from 64.7% in 1990
37.0% rent
Afford Score
2.6
+12%since 1990
from 2.3 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Rutherfordton on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic86.9%(3,142)
Black13%(470)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(32)
Asian0%(0)
Diversity Score30.2%(1,094)
2000
White, non-Hispanic83.5%(3,451)
Black13.6%(561)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(53)
Asian0.7%(28)
Diversity Score33.8%(1,395)
Diversity Score
34
+12%since 1990
from 30 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.1%
+4.2 ptssince 1990
from 24.9% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
76.7%
+8.7 ptssince 1990
from 68.0% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
9.6%
−0.3 ptssince 1990
from 9.9% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.0 min
−3%since 1990
from 14.4 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Rutherfordton

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Pop 3,705
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Head to head

Compare Rutherfordton to nearby cities

RUTHERFORDTON VS
Boiling Springs
Income$72,068+90%
Home value$244,400+149%
Population12,936+247%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RUTHERFORDTON VS
Shelby
Income$48,376+28%
Home value$197,200+101%
Population23,309+526%
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RUTHERFORDTON VS
Valley Falls
Income$55,661+47%
Home value$256,600+161%
Population8,239+121%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RUTHERFORDTON VS
Gaffney
Income$41,089+8%
Home value$137,700+40%
Population12,583+238%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Rutherfordton, North Carolina?

Rutherfordton, North Carolina has about 4,131 residents according to the 2000 Census.

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

The typical household in Rutherfordton, North Carolina earns about $37,941 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Rutherfordton, North Carolina expensive?

In Rutherfordton, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $98,200, and the typical rent is about $423 a month.

How educated are people in Rutherfordton, North Carolina?

About 29.1% of adults age 25 and over in Rutherfordton, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Rutherfordton, North Carolina?

About 10.8% of people in Rutherfordton, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Rutherfordton, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Rutherfordton, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 514 residents, a change of about 14 percent over that period.

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

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