Living in Ruth, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Ruth · Census data 2020–2024
Ruth has 510 residents with a median age of 35. The median household income is $51,250 (29% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $138,300, the median rent is $675/month.
Ruth is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Ruth at a glance
- Population
- 510
- Median age
- 35State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $51,250State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $138,300State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $675/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 75.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 14.3%
- Average commute
- 25 min
Is Ruth a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 52% lower than the state median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 1%.
Cons: Median household income 29% lower than the North Carolina median; a poverty rate of 35.7%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Ruth
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Ruth the median home value is $138,300, 58% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $675 per month, which is 38.8% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,000 a month in housing costs.
Ruth median household income
The median household income in Ruth is $51,250 and the income per person is $22,639. 35.7% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Ruth: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 230
- Owner-occupied
- 75.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 24.7%
- Vacant
- 13.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1985
- Average household size
- 2.58
Ruth demographics
- Population
- 510
- Median age
- 35
- Under 18
- 22.4%
- 65 and older
- 14.5%
- Households
- 198
- Foreign-born
- 3.7%
- Veterans
- 5.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Ruth ›
Education in Ruth
14.3% of adults 25 and older in Ruth have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 4% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Ruth
- Unemployment rate
- 1%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 25 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 1%
- Drive alone
- 84.3%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.9%
Ruth vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruth | 510 | $51,250 | $138,300 | $675 |
| Rutherfordton | 3,680 | $59,375 | $288,400 | $860 |
| Spindale | 4,131 | $41,262 | $167,400 | $755 |
| Forest City | 7,363 | $35,524 | $160,800 | $813 |
| Bostic | 433 | $57,813 | $171,900 | $855 |
| Ellenboro | 901 | $49,769 | $164,400 | $711 |
| Cliffside | 438 | $51,438 | — | — |
| Mooresboro | 190 | $49,464 | $225,000 | $800 |
| Lake Lure | 1,543 | $80,357 | $627,000 | $786 |
More for people moving to Ruth
Ruth ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Ruth: FAQ
What is the median household income in Ruth, NC?
The median household income in Ruth is $51,250, 29% lower than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Ruth?
The median home value in Ruth is $138,300, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Ruth?
The median gross rent in Ruth is $675 per month, about 38.8% of household income.
Is Ruth, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 52% lower than the state median; an average commute of 25 minutes; unemployment of 1%. Minuses: median household income 29% lower than the North Carolina median; a poverty rate of 35.7%.
What is the median age in Ruth?
The median age in Ruth is 35 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Ruth?
The average commute to work in Ruth is 25 minutes; 1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Ruth?
The unemployment rate in Ruth is 1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Ruth?
14.3% of adults in Ruth have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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