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CITY · 2010 ACS

Rutherfordton

North Carolina · 4,213 residents · 4.143 sq mi
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The short version

Rutherfordton has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $52,448. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $176,000. With a median age of 44.4, the population is older than the US median of 37.2.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 44.4
US median: 37.2
Average education
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 42%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,213
+2%since 2000
from 4,131 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,017 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 997 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
44.4
+10%since 2000
from 40.3 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K4K4K1990201020202024Rutherfordton
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,448
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,941 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$25,728
+18%since 2000
from $21,742 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
24.7%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 23.0% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
12.7%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 10.8% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.545
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information23.3%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade14.5%
US avg: 10.9%
Transportation & warehousing4.1%
US avg: 3.1%
Other services3.5%
US avg: 7%
Wholesale trade2.1%
US avg: 7.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.3%
US avg: 2.4%
Public administration1%
US avg: 4.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.5%
Finance & insurance0.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.4%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 4.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$176,000
+42%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $98,200 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$583
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $423 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
37.3%
−25.6 ptssince 2000
from 63.0% in 2000
38.7% rent
Vacancy rate
14.5%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
19.3%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 22.4% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
53.8%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.4
+30%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Rutherfordton on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic83.5%(3,451)
Black13.6%(561)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(53)
Asian0.7%(28)
Other0%
Diversity Score33.8%(1,395)
2010
White, non-Hispanic83.1%(3,503)
Black10.3%(436)
Hispanic / Latino3%(127)
Asian1.6%(68)
Other10.4%(439)
Diversity Score49.2%(2,075)
Diversity Score
49
+46%since 2000
from 34 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.7%
−2.4 ptssince 2000
from 29.1% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
75.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2000
from 76.7% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
13.2%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 9.6% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.1 min
+29%since 2000
from 14.0 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
85.5%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 86.1% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
2.9%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
1.4%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.2%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
8.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.8% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
13.8%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
17.9%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 17.7% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
43.2%
−28.6 ptssince 2009
from 71.7% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.5%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.0% in 2009
Female
50.5%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 52.0% in 2009
Foreign born
2.9%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
12.6%
−35.9 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Compare Rutherfordton to nearby cities

RUTHERFORDTON VS
Boiling Springs
Income$72,068+37%
Home value$244,400+39%
Population12,936+247%
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RUTHERFORDTON VS
Shelby
Income$48,376−8%
Home value$197,200+12%
Population23,309+526%
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RUTHERFORDTON VS
Valley Falls
Income$55,661+6%
Home value$256,600+46%
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RUTHERFORDTON VS
Gaffney
Income$41,089−22%
Home value$137,700−22%
Population12,583+238%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Rutherfordton, North Carolina?

Rutherfordton, North Carolina has about 4,213 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Rutherfordton, North Carolina earns about $52,448 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 $176,000, and the typical rent is about $583 a month.

How educated are people in Rutherfordton, North Carolina?

About 26.7% 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 12.7% 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 596 residents, a change of about 16 percent over that period.

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

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