Rutherfordton, NC

Full City Profile · North Carolina · Rutherford County County

3.0 /5.0
B Good
3,669 Population 884/sq mi density
$59,750 Median Income $30,346 per capita
$226,900 Home Value $249,996 Zillow
$901 Median Rent 32.3% income on rent
59°F Avg Temperature
297 Violent Crime/100K 3,350 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$59,750 median income, 9.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.5 / 5.0
$226,900 home value, $901/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
297 violent crimes/100K
B
Education
3.4 / 5.0
29.5% bachelor's degree or higher

Rutherfordton, NC

At a Glance

Median Income
$59,750
20% below
$30,346 per capita
Home Value
$226,900
20% below
Zillow: $249,996
Median Rent
$901/mo
23% below
32.3% of income on rent
Violent Crime
297/100K
22% below
3,350/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
29.5%
12% below
89.2% high school+
Unemployment
9.0%
150% above
11.0% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
39.2%
22% above
18.8% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
59°F

How Rutherfordton Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Rutherfordton's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
80%
Home Value
80%
Rent
77%
Poverty
89%
Bachelor's
88%
Unemployment
250%
Crime
78%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Rutherfordton a Good Place to Live?

B
3.0 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Rutherfordton residents earn a median household income of $59,750 , which is 20% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $30,346. The unemployment rate stands at 9.0% (150% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 11.0% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 1,498 business establishments, including 113 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Rutherfordton is $226,900 , 20% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $249,996. Median rent is $901/month, with 32.3% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 94.3 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1976.

Safety & Crime

Rutherfordton reports 297 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 22% below the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 3,350/100K.

Education

29.5% of adults in Rutherfordton hold a bachelor's degree or higher (12% below the national average). 89.2% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.8/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Rutherfordton has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 52.1 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population3,669
Median Age39.0 yrs
Density884/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Foreign Born7.0%
Veterans4.6%

Economy

C+
Median Income$59,750
Per Capita$30,346
Unemployment9.0%
Poverty11.0%
County GDP$2,490M
Avg Weekly Wage$925

Housing

A+
Home Value$226,900
Rent$901
Ownership65.0%
Zillow$249,996
Housing Units1,664
Rent Burden32.3%

Crime

F
Violent297/100K
Property3,350/100K

Health

Obesity39.2%
Diabetes11.9%
Smoking18.8%
Heart Disease6.8%
Premature Death13,778/100K

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
Rain52.1 in/yr
Elevation917 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+29.5%
High School+89.2%
Graduate+6.0%
School Score5.8/10

Community

2024 VoteR 74% / D 26%
Commute21 min
Broadband88.9%
Internet Speed26 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries3

Did You Know?

Rutherfordton was founded in 1787.
The median home in Rutherfordton was built in 1976.
The nearest airport is Asheville Regional (33 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.470 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
20.2% of the population has a disability.
There are 113 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 10 fatal vehicle crashes.