Rutherford College, NC

North Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Rutherford College is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 1,327. Residents earn $63,000 per year, which is 16% below the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
1,327 Population 574/sq mi density
$63,000 Median Income $31,346 per capita
$196,600 Home Value
$1,028 Median Rent
58°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$63,000 median income, 1.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$196,600 home value, $1,028/mo rent
B
Education
3.3 / 5.0
28.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $63,000
16% lower than US avg
Home Value $196,600
30% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 28.3%
16% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,028
12% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.6%
5% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.2%
67% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.1%
35% lower than US avg

How Rutherford College Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,327
Median Age43.0 yrs
Density574/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 87%

Economy

A
Median Income$63,000
Per Capita$31,346
Unemployment1.2%
Poverty8.1%
County GDP$3,724M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$196,600
Rent$1,028
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity33.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.9%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp58°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain51.5 in/yr
Elevation1,218 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+28.3%
High School+91.2%
School Score5.46

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 29%
Commute23 min
Libraries3

Is Rutherford College a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rutherford College receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Rutherford College stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rutherford College is $63,000, 16% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.2%. 8.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Rutherford College is $196,600, 30% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,028 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

28.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Rutherford College enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F. Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 51.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Rutherford College has a population of 1,327 with a density of 574 people per square mile. The median age is 43.0 years, 11% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.2%).

Population

1,327
Total Population
574
People / sq mi
43.0yrs
Median Age
11% above US avg
2.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.7%
Female 50.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Rutherford College vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.5%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.5%
66% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Rutherford College vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rutherford College is $63,000, which is 16% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Rutherford College vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$63,000
16% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,346
Avg Weekly Wage$942
IRS Avg AGI$59,014

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.2%
67% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.1%
35% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,725
County GDP$3,724M

Business (County)

Restaurants158
Healthcare177
Retail253
Manufacturing111

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,828
9% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.95%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.8 min
Work from Home2.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Rutherford College is $196,600, 30% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,028 (12% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$196,600
30% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$161
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio105.1%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,028
12% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$932
1 Bedroom$981
2 Bedrooms$1,161
3 Bedrooms$1,499
4 Bedrooms$1,780

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied72.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,828
9% above US avg
Effective Rate1.95%
In Rutherford College, 33.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.9% report depression. 21.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Rutherford College vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.6%
5% above US avg
Diabetes8.9%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure31.0%
Asthma10.7%
COPD6.4%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.7%
Physical Inactivity21.9%
Depression27.9%
Mental Distress17.9%
Physical Distress11.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.0%
Checkup Rate77.5%
Premature Death11,521/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.7/10
Exercise Access59.5%
Healthcare Facilities177

Crime Rates: Rutherford College vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)12
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Rutherford College has an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 51.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average57.9°F
7% above US avg
January Average39°F (4°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall51.5 inches
36% above US avg
Snowfall4.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,218 ft (371 m)
Area2.3 sq mi (6.0 km²)
Population Density574/sq mi
Coordinates35.7516°N, 81.5270°W
County FIPS37023
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 28.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (16% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 41.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.3%
D 29%

Winner: Republican by 41.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+28.3%
16% below US avg
High School+91.2%
School Test Score5.46
B Education Grade (3.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density574/sq mi
Total Area2.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities177
Restaurants158
Retail Stores253

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)12
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.8 min
Work from Home2.0%

Nearby Cities

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