Rutherford, TN

Tennessee

Rutherford is a small town in Tennessee with a population of 1,203. Residents earn $50,000 per year, which is 33% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
1,203 Population 523/sq mi density
$50,000 Median Income $25,837 per capita
$91,500 Home Value $139,078 Zillow
$718 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
627 Violent Crime/100K 1,254 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$50,000 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$91,500 home value, $718/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
627 violent crimes/100K (65% above avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,000
33% lower than US avg
Home Value $91,500
68% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 627/100K
65% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.9%
41% lower than US avg
Median Rent $718
38% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.3%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.5%
31% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,203
Median Age35.8 yrs
Density523/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 84%

Economy

B+
Median Income$50,000
Per Capita$25,837
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty8.5%
County GDP$1,407M
Commute27 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$91,500
Rent$718
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$139,078

Crime

F
Violent627/100K
Property1,254/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault627/100K
Burglary179/100K

Health

Obesity39.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression30.5%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain54.7 in/yr
Elevation341 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.9%
High School+87.0%
School Score5.92

Community

2024 VoteR 79% / D 20%
Commute27 min
Libraries5

Is Rutherford a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rutherford receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Rutherford offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rutherford is $50,000, 33% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. 8.5% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Rutherford is $91,500, 68% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $718 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 627 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,254 per 100,000, 36% below the national average.

Education

19.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Rutherford enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 54.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Rutherford has a population of 1,203 with a density of 523 people per square mile. The median age is 35.8 years, 8% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (83.8%), with 6.3% Hispanic, 2% Black.

Population

1,203
Total Population
523
People / sq mi
35.8yrs
Median Age
8% below US avg
2.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.2%
Female 48.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Rutherford vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.8%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.2%
69% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Rutherford vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rutherford is $50,000, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 27 minutes.

Income: Rutherford vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,000
33% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,837
Avg Weekly Wage$863
IRS Avg AGI$58,111

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.5%
31% below US avg
Establishments (County)674
County GDP$1,407M

Business (County)

Restaurants65
Healthcare68
Retail105
Manufacturing26

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,121
39% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.32%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.1 min
Work from Home3.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Rutherford is $91,500, 68% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $718 (38% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $139,078.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$91,500
68% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$139,078
Median List Price$219,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$219,500
$/Sq Ft$78
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio95.7%
Price Drops25.0%
Inventory8

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$718
38% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,507
1 Bedroom$1,578
2 Bedrooms$1,730
3 Bedrooms$2,211
4 Bedrooms$2,696

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied74.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,121
39% below US avg
Effective Rate2.32%
In Rutherford, 39.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 30.5% report depression. 28.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.3%
22% above US avg
Diabetes12.3%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure37.2%
Asthma11.9%
COPD8.9%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.1%
Physical Inactivity28.7%
Depression30.5%
Mental Distress22.2%
Physical Distress15.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate85.7%
Checkup Rate75.9%
Premature Death11,927/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.9/10
Exercise Access25.3%
Healthcare Facilities68
Rutherford has a violent crime rate of 627 per 100,000 residents, 65% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,254 per 100,000 (36% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent627.2/100K
65% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault627.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,254.5/100K
36% below US avg
Burglary179.2/100K
Theft1,075.3/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Rutherford has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 54.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average58.9°F
9% above US avg
January Average36°F (2°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall54.7 inches
44% above US avg
Snowfall3.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation341 ft (104 m)
Area2.3 sq mi (6.0 km²)
Population Density523/sq mi
Coordinates36.1221°N, 88.9929°W
County FIPS47183
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 19.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (41% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 58.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 78.7%
D 20.3%

Winner: Republican by 58.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.9%
41% below US avg
High School+87.0%
School Test Score5.92
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density523/sq mi
Total Area2.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities68
Restaurants65
Retail Stores105

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.1 min
Work from Home3.7%

Nearby Cities

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