COUNTY · 1990 CENSUS

Rutherford County

North Carolina · 56,918 residents · 565.437 sq mi

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Part of the Forest City micropolitan area

The short version

Rutherford County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $23,828. Population has declined 10% since 2000. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 20%. Median home value is $45,700.

At a glance

Lower income

below the US median

US median: $30,130

Older

median age 35.6

US median: 33.0

Less educated

10% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 20%

More affordable

home values down 16%, inflation adjusted

US median home: $93,722

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

56,918

−10%vs 2000

vs 62,899 in 2000

1990 – 2025

Population density

101 / sq mi

−10%vs 2000

vs 111 / sq mi in 2000

US average: 221

Median age

35.6

−7%vs 2000

vs 38.3 in 2000

US average: 33.0

Population, 1990 – 2024

202465K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$23,828

+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $31,122 in 2000

US average: $30,130

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$11,287

−31%vs 2000

vs $16,270 in 2000

US average: $14,340

Poverty rate

12.3%

−1.6 ptsvs 2000

vs 13.9% in 2000

US average: 13.2%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$45,700

−16%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $71,300 in 2000

US average: $93,722

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$310

+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $404 in 2000

US average: $450

Owner-occupied

73.0%

−1.5 ptsvs 2000

vs 74.5% in 2000

27.0% rent

Afford Score

1.9

−16%vs 2000

vs 2.3 in 2000

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Rutherford County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000

White, non-Hispanic85.8%(53,957)

Black11.2%(7,028)

Hispanic / Latino1.8%(1,136)

Asian0.3%(191)

Other0%

Diversity Score29.6%(18,644)

1990

White, non-Hispanic88.1%(50,140)

Black11.5%(6,555)

Hispanic / Latino0.5%(257)

Asian0.1%(56)

Other0.3%(167)

Diversity Score27.2%(15,494)

Diversity Score

−8%vs 2000

vs 30 in 2000

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

9.8%

−2.6 ptsvs 2000

vs 12.5% in 2000

US average: 20.3%

High school or higher

59.4%

−11.0 ptsvs 2000

vs 70.4% in 2000

US average: 75.2%

Graduate degree

3.1%

−0.8 ptsvs 2000

vs 3.9% in 2000

US average: 7.1%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

17.7 min

+19%vs 2000

vs 14.9 min in 2000

US average: 21.9

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 Rutherford County

Head to head

Compare Rutherford County to nearby counties

RUTHERFORD COUNTY VS

Polk County

Income$67,758+184%

Home value$315,000+589%

Population20,533−69%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

RUTHERFORD COUNTY VS

McDowell County

Income$57,168+140%

Home value$171,100+274%

Population45,198−31%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

RUTHERFORD COUNTY VS

Cleveland County

Income$58,534+146%

Home value$200,000+338%

Population103,325+57%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

RUTHERFORD COUNTY VS

Burke County

Income$58,592+146%

Home value$185,400+306%

Population88,655+35%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Rutherford County, North Carolina?

Rutherford County, North Carolina has about 56,918 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Rutherford County, North Carolina?

The typical household in Rutherford County, North Carolina earns about $23,828 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Rutherford County, North Carolina expensive?

In Rutherford County, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $45,700, and the typical rent is about $310 a month.

How educated are people in Rutherford County, North Carolina?

About 9.8% of adults age 25 and over in Rutherford County, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Rutherford County, North Carolina?

About 12.3% of people in Rutherford County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →