Living in Rutherfordton, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Rutherfordton · Census data 2020–2024
Rutherfordton has 3,680 residents with a median age of 38.9. The median household income is $59,375 (18% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $288,400, the median rent is $860/month.
Rutherfordton at a glance
- Population
- 3,680
- Median age
- 38.9State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $59,375State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $288,400State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $860/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 64.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 35%
- Average commute
- 22 min
Is Rutherfordton a good place to live?
Pros: Home values about the same as the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes; a poverty rate of 12.7%.
Cons: Median household income 18% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 7.3%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Rutherfordton
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Rutherfordton the median home value is $288,400, 13% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $860 per month, which is 31% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,418 a month in housing costs.
Rutherfordton median household income
The median household income in Rutherfordton is $59,375 and the income per person is $36,380. 12.7% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Rutherfordton: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,734
- Owner-occupied
- 64.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 35.7%
- Vacant
- 10.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1978
- Average household size
- 2.26
Rutherfordton demographics
- Population
- 3,680
- Median age
- 38.9
- Under 18
- 21.5%
- 65 and older
- 26.6%
- Households
- 1,550
- Foreign-born
- 7.3%
- Veterans
- 4.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Rutherfordton ›
Education in Rutherfordton
35% of adults 25 and older in Rutherfordton have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 10.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Rutherfordton
- Unemployment rate
- 7.3%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 22 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 10.5%
- Drive alone
- 75.6%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.8%
Rutherfordton vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rutherfordton | 3,680 | $59,375 | $288,400 | $860 |
| Ruth | 510 | $51,250 | $138,300 | $675 |
| 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 | — | — |
| Lake Lure | 1,543 | $80,357 | $627,000 | $786 |
| Mooresboro | 190 | $49,464 | $225,000 | $800 |
More for people moving to Rutherfordton
Rutherfordton ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Rutherfordton: FAQ
What is the median household income in Rutherfordton, NC?
The median household income in Rutherfordton is $59,375, 18% 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 Rutherfordton?
The median home value in Rutherfordton is $288,400, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Rutherfordton?
The median gross rent in Rutherfordton is $860 per month, about 31% of household income.
Is Rutherfordton, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values about the same as the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes; a poverty rate of 12.7%. Minuses: median household income 18% lower than the North Carolina median; unemployment of 7.3%.
What is the median age in Rutherfordton?
The median age in Rutherfordton is 38.9 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Rutherfordton?
The average commute to work in Rutherfordton is 22 minutes; 10.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Rutherfordton?
The unemployment rate in Rutherfordton is 7.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Rutherfordton?
35% of adults in Rutherfordton 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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