City

Rutherfordton, NC

1 ZIP code  ·  Rutherford County  ·  North Carolina

👥18,887Population
💰$52,148Median HH Income▼ 32% below avg
🎂49.1Median Age
🏠$195,300Median Home Value▼ 30% below avg
🎓38.6%College Grads≈ Avg
📊3.1%Unemployment▼ 36% below avg
People & Population (ACS 2023 — weighted avg)
♂ Male 47.6% Female 52.4% ♀

Race & Ethnicity

White: 85.8%Hispanic: 4.3%Black: 5.9%Asian: 0.3%Other: 3.3%Race
White85.8%
Hispanic4.3%
Black5.9%
Asian0.3%
Other3.3%

Age Breakdown

Under 5
5%
5–17
16%
18–24
4%
25–44
22%
45–64
29%
65+
10%

Key Indicators

Median Age49.1 yrs
Avg HH Size2.34
Below Poverty17.4% ▲ 74% above avg
College Grads38.6% ≈ Avg
Unemployment3.1% ▼ 36% below avg
No HS Diploma315 (2.4%)
HS Graduate3,791 (29.5%)
Some College1,618 (12.6%)
Associates2,182 (17%)
Bachelors1,794 (13.9%)
Graduate Degree3,172 (24.6%)

Education

No HS: 2.4%HS Grad: 29.5%Some College: 12.6%Associates: 17%Bachelors: 13.9%Graduate: 24.6%Edu
No HS2.4%
HS Grad29.5%
Some College12.6%
Associates17.0%
Bachelors13.9%
Graduate24.6%
Housing & Income

Housing Tenure

Owner: 79.3%Renter: 20.8%Tenure
Owner79.3%
Renter20.8%

Home Value Distribution

Under $50k
8%
$50k–$100k
15%
$100k–$150k
14%
$150k–$200k
15%
$200k–$300k
23%
$300k–$500k
16%
Over $500k
9%

Financials

Median HH Income$52,148 ▼ 32% below avg
Median Home Value$195,300 ▼ 30% below avg
Home/Income Ratio3.7x (nat avg ~3.5x)
Median Rent$842/mo
Total Housing Units8,953
Vacant Units1,117

Income Distribution

Under $25k
25%
$25k–$50k
21%
$50k–$75k
16%
$75k–$100k
14%
$100k–$150k
15%
$150k–$200k
5%
Over $200k
4%
Employment & Commute

How People Get to Work

Drove Alone
91%
Walked
2%
Work From Home
7%

Commute Time

Under 15 min
23%
15–30 min
41%
30–45 min
17%
Over 45 min
20%
Housing Stock

Year Built

Before 1940
1%
1940s–1950s
10%
1960s–1970s
10%
1980s–1990s
23%
2000+
56%
About Rutherfordton, NC

Rutherfordton is a city in North Carolina, located in Rutherford County. The city spans 1 ZIP code and is home to approximately 18,887 residents. It is a mature city, with a median age of 49.1 years.

Economically, Rutherfordton is a working-class community. The median household income of $52,148 is below the national average. Approximately 17.4% of residents live below the poverty line. The unemployment rate is 3.1%, below the national average.

The real estate market in Rutherfordton is an affordable housing market. Median home values stand at $195,300, which is below the national average. Renters typically pay around $842 per month. Homeownership is high at 79.3%, typical of suburban and family-oriented communities.

The population of Rutherfordton is moderately educated. 38.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — near the national average. The community is primarily White (85.84%).

Rutherfordton, NC offers residents a cost-conscious lifestyle within North Carolina.

ZIP Codes in Rutherfordton
ZIPPopulationMedian IncomeMedian HomeMedian RentUnemp.CollegeOwner Occ.
28139 18,887 $52,148 $195,300 $842 3.1% 38.6% 79.3%