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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Rutherford County

North Carolina · 64,444 residents · 565.437 sq mi
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The short version

Rutherford County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $43,183. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $125,100. With a median age of 45.6, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 45.6
US median: 38.8
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
64,444
+2%since 2000
from 62,899 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
114 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 111 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
45.6
+19%since 2000
from 38.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
56K59K62K66K69K1990201020202024Rutherford County
202465K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$43,183
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,122 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,308
+49%since 2000
from $16,270 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
23.5%
+8.1 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
17.8%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 13.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade19.8%
US avg: 10%
Information12.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade6.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5.7%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services4%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.6%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services1.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 2%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.5%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$125,100
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $71,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$655
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $404 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
71.3%
−3.2 ptssince 2000
from 74.5% in 2000
28.7% rent
Afford Score
2.9
+26%since 2000
from 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)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic80.7%(52,026)
Black9.1%(5,836)
Hispanic / Latino5.1%(3,286)
Asian0.5%(343)
Other2.9%(1,859)
Diversity Score39.2%(25,252)
Segregation Score30.6%(19,691)
Diversity Score
39
+32%since 2000
from 30 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
31
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.2%
+6.7 ptssince 2000
from 12.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
84.9%
+14.5 ptssince 2000
from 70.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.2%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 3.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.1 min
+69%since 2000
from 14.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
81.4%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 83.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.6%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.7%
−6.4 ptssince 2011
from 13.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
52.9%
−3.2 ptssince 2011
from 56.1% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
28.4%
−31.1 ptssince 2009
from 59.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.5%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
Female
51.5%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 52.2% in 2009
Foreign born
2.9%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
12.9%
−69.1 ptssince 2013
from 82.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Rutherford County

Jefferson County
Pop 62,987
Grant County
Pop 66,524
Russell County
Pop 58,898
DeKalb County
Pop 74,085
Places similar to Rutherford County
Head to head

Compare Rutherford County to nearby counties

RUTHERFORD COUNTY VS
Polk County
Income$67,758+57%
Home value$315,000+152%
Population20,533−69%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RUTHERFORD COUNTY VS
McDowell County
Income$57,168+32%
Home value$171,100+37%
Population45,198−31%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RUTHERFORD COUNTY VS
Cleveland County
Income$58,534+36%
Home value$200,000+60%
Population103,325+57%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RUTHERFORD COUNTY VS
Burke County
Income$58,592+36%
Home value$185,400+48%
Population88,655+35%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Rutherford County, North Carolina?

Rutherford County, North Carolina has about 64,444 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Rutherford County, North Carolina earns about $43,183 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 $125,100, and the typical rent is about $655 a month.

How educated are people in Rutherford County, North Carolina?

About 19.2% 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 17.8% of people in Rutherford County, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Rutherford County, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Rutherford County, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 7,526 residents, a change of about 13 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

22 census tracts (top 20 by population)
Census Tract 9602.01Census Tract 9609Census Tract 9608Census Tract 9612Census Tract 9606Census Tract 9610.01Census Tract 9607Census Tract 9611.02Census Tract 9604Census Tract 9605.02Census Tract 9610.02Census Tract 9605.01Census Tract 9611.03Census Tract 9611.04Census Tract 9601.03Census Tract 9601.02Census Tract 9602.02Census Tract 9605.03Census Tract 9603.01Census Tract 9603.02
12 ZIP codes
ZIP 28043ZIP 28139ZIP 28040ZIP 28018ZIP 28160ZIP 28746ZIP 28167ZIP 28720ZIP 28076ZIP 28024ZIP 28074ZIP 28019
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →