Rutherford County, TN

County

Add Comparison

2020 Population

324,139

2.64% 1-year growth

US Senator

Marsha Blackburn

Republican Party

US Senator

Bill Hagerty

Republican Party

2020 Median Age

33.6

0.299% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

10.3%

6.83% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$68,718

1.91% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$234,700

10.1% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

171,935

2.32% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, Rutherford County, TN had a population of 324k people with a median age of 33.6 and a median household income of $68,718. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Rutherford County, TN grew from 315,815 to 324,139, a 2.64% increase and its median household income grew from $67,429 to $68,718, a 1.91% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Rutherford County, TN are White (Non-Hispanic) (69.6%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (14.9%), White (Hispanic) (5.55%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (3.44%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.35%).

None of the households in Rutherford County, TN reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

95.8% of the residents in Rutherford County, TN are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Rutherford County, TN are Middle Tennessee State University (4,977 degrees awarded in 2020), Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro (212 degrees), and Allied Health Careers Institute (151 degrees).

In 2020, the median property value in Rutherford County, TN was $234,700, and the homeownership rate was 65.2%.

Most people in Rutherford County, TN drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 28.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Rutherford County, TN was 2 cars per household.

Rutherford County, TN borders Bedford County, TN, Cannon County, TN, Coffee County, TN, Davidson County, TN, Marshall County, TN, Williamson County, TN, and Wilson County, TN.

About the photo: Stones River, Murfreesboro, TN

Photo by Casey Fleser

Population & Diversity

Rutherford County, TN is home to a population of 324k people, from which 95.8% are citizens. As of 2020, 7.47% of Rutherford County, TN residents were born outside of the country (24.2k people).

In 2020, there were 4.68 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (226k people) in Rutherford County, TN than any other race or ethnicity. There were 48.2k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 18k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

95.8%

2020 Citizenship

95.8%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 95.8% of Rutherford County, TN residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Rutherford County, TN was 95.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Rutherford County, TN compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Rutherford County, TN

White (Non-Hispanic)
226k ± 767
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
48.2k ± 1.01k
White (Hispanic)
18k ± 1.38k

8.32%

Hispanic Population

27k people

8.32% of the people in Rutherford County, TN are hispanic (27k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Rutherford County, TN as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Tennessee.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
88,072 ± 7,239 people
India
23,811 ± 3,782 people
Guatemala
14,944 ± 2,998 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Tennessee was Mexico, the natal country of 88,072 Tennessee residents, followed by India with 23,811 and Guatemala with 14,944.

Foreign-Born Population

7.47%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

24.2k people

7.41%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

23.4k people

As of 2020, 7.47% of Rutherford County, TN residents (24.2k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Rutherford County, TN was 7.41%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Rutherford County, TN compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
5,153 ± 772
Vietnam
4,978 ± 427
Gulf War (1990s)
3,516 ± 508

Rutherford County, TN has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.04 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Rutherford County, TN employs 172k people. The largest industries in Rutherford County, TN are Manufacturing (22,972 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (21,693 people), and Retail Trade (20,264 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($95,078), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($67,917), and Utilities ($61,016).

Males in Tennessee have an average income that is 1.37 times higher than the average income of females, which is $46,310. The income inequality in Tennessee (measured using the Gini index) is 0.463, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

172k

2020 Value

± 3,903

2.32%

1 Year growth

± 2.97%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Rutherford County, TN grew at a rate of 2.32%, from 168k employees to 172k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Rutherford County, TN, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (20,446 people), Sales & Related Occupations (18,386 people), and Management Occupations (16,815 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Rutherford County, TN.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Tennessee.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Tennessee (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

172k

2020 Value

± 3,903

2.32%

1 Year growth

± 2.97%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Rutherford County, TN grew at a rate of 2.32%, from 168k employees to 172k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Rutherford County, TN, are Manufacturing (22,972 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (21,693 people), and Retail Trade (20,264 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Rutherford County, TN, though some of these residents may live in Rutherford County, TN and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$43,327

Median earning men ± $1,267

$32,847

Median earning women ± $1,346

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2020 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($59,212), Public Administration ($54,296), and Manufacturing ($53,458).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2020 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($46,889), Wholesale Trade ($44,058), and Public Administration ($43,699).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Tennessee.

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Tennessee. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Tennessee.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

2,328
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
1,431
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
1,092
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$4.23M
Manufacturing
$1.71M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$989k
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Tennessee to other states, or from other states to Tennessee.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Tennessee product (by dollars) was Electronics with $66B, followed by Mixed freight ($49B) and Pharmaceuticals ($47B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Tennessee products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Tennessee.

$498B

2020 Value in Tennessee

$1.05T

Projected 2050 Value in Tennessee

111% growth

In 2020, total outbound Tennessee trade was $498B. This is expected to increase 111% to $1.05T by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Tennessee trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Tennessee to other states, or from other states to Tennessee.

Most Common Trade Partners

Georgia
$36.6B
Texas
$29.5B
California
$26.2B

In 2020, the top outbound Tennessee domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Georgia with $36.6B, followed by Texas with $29.5B and California and $26.2B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Tennessee shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Rutherford County, TN went to Donald J. Trump with 56.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (41.2%), followed by Other (2.12%).

Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty are the senators currently representing the state of Tennessee. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Tennessee is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (56.6%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (41.2%)
Democratic Party
Other (2.12%)
Other Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Rutherford County, TN went to Donald J. Trump with 56.6% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (41.2%), followed by Other (2.12%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Rutherford County, TN for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senators Elections

US Senators from Tennessee

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Tennessee.

Marsha Blackburn

Senator from Tennessee

Assumed office on January 3, 2019

Bill Hagerty

Senator from Tennessee

Assumed office on January 3, 2021

Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty are the senators currently representing Tennessee.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Tennessee over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives Elections

US Representatives from Tennessee

Tennessee is currently represented by 9 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Tennessee have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Rutherford County, TN awarded 5,482 degrees. The student population of Rutherford County, TN in 2020 is skewed towards women, with 10,282 male students and 12,754 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Rutherford County, TN are White (3,653 and 69.7%), followed by Black or African American (927 and 17.7%), Hispanic or Latino (286 and 5.45%), and Asian (206 and 3.93%).

The largest universities in Rutherford County, TN by number of degrees awarded are Middle Tennessee State University (4,977 and 90.8%), Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro (212 and 3.87%), and Allied Health Careers Institute (151 and 2.75%).

The most popular majors in Rutherford County, TN are General Business Administration & Management (285 and 5.2%), General Psychology (248 and 4.52%), and Other Multidisciplinary Studies (238 and 4.34%).

The median tuition cost in Rutherford County, TN for a public four year colleges is $7,200 for in-state students and $25,872 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2020 in Rutherford County, TN, the percentage of applicants admitted was 94.2%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 36.1%. The number of students enrolled in 2020 was 23,036 (44.6% men and 55.4% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2020 there were 23,036 students enrolled in Rutherford County, TN, 44.6% men and 55.4% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 14,952 records, of which 54.2% were women and 45.8% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Other Multidisciplinary Studies
238 degree-majors awarded
General Psychology
221 degree-majors awarded
General Business Administration & Management
192 degree-majors awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Rutherford County, TN was Other Multidisciplinary Studies with 238 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Rutherford County, TN according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Middle Tennessee State University
4,977 degrees awarded
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro
212 degrees awarded
Allied Health Careers Institute
151 degrees awarded

In 2020, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Middle Tennessee State University with 4,977 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2020, 2,292 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Rutherford County, TN, which is 0.718 times less than the 3,190 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 3,653 degrees mean that there were 3.94 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 927 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private for-profit, 4-year or above ($21,004) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2020.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,870) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2020.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,260) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Tennessee.

Measure

In 2020, 0.713% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.697% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Tennessee.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2020 were High School or Equivalent (1.71M), Some college (1.19M), and Bachelors Degree (883k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Rutherford County, TN was $234,700 in 2020, which is 1.02 times larger than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $213,200 to $234,700, a 10.1% increase. The homeownership rate in Rutherford County, TN is 65.2%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.4%.

People in Rutherford County, TN have an average commute time of 28.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Rutherford County, TN is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Rutherford County, TN is $68,718. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Rutherford County, TN was Census Tract 413.01 with a value of $124,327, followed by Census Tract 403.07 and Census Tract 408.08, with respective values of $111,202 and $110,227.

In 2021, 13.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Rutherford County, TN. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator declined 0.835%.

Housing

Property

$234,700

Median Property Value 2020

±$3,429

$75,174

Median Property Taxes

±$2,263

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Rutherford County, TN the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Rutherford County, TN compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

65.2%

Homeownership

2020

68.4%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2020

In 2020, 65.2% of the housing units in Rutherford County, TN were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 65.2%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Rutherford County, TN compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 413.01
Census Tract 403.07
Census Tract 408.08

In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Rutherford County, TN was Census Tract 413.01 with a value of $124,327, followed by Census Tract 403.07 and Census Tract 408.08, with respective values of $111,202 and $110,227.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Rutherford County, TN colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$68,718

Median Household Income

± $1,870

115k

Number of Households

± 3,131

In 2020, the median household income of the 115k households in Rutherford County, TN grew to $68,718 from the previous year's value of $67,429.

The following chart displays the households in Rutherford County, TN distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Rutherford County, TN is from Tennessee.

0.463

2020 Wage GINI in Tennessee

0.465

2019 Wage GINI in Tennessee

In 2020, the income inequality in Tennessee was 0.463 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.436% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Tennessee was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Tennessee in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Tennessee across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (81.5%)
Carpooled (9.57%)
Worked At Home (6.98%)

In 2020, 81.5% of workers in Rutherford County, TN drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.57%) and those who worked at home (6.98%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

28.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Rutherford County, TN have a longer commute time (28.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 2.55% of the workforce in Rutherford County, TN have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Rutherford County, TN compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Rutherford County, TN distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Rutherford County, TN have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2021, 13.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Rutherford County, TN. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator declined 0.835%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

10.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Rutherford County, TN (33k out of 319k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Rutherford County, TN is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2021, 12.9% of the children was living in poverty in Rutherford County, TN. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator declined 3.8%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2021, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 492 in Rutherford County, TN. From 2014 to 2021, the indicator grew 66.4 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

91% of the population of Rutherford County, TN has health coverage, with 57.2% on employee plans, 11.4% on Medicaid, 8% on Medicare, 12.7% on non-group plans, and 1.74% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Tennessee was $7,372 in 2014. This is a 3.74% increase from the previous year ($7,106).

Primary care physicians in Rutherford County, TN see 2371 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.937% increase from the previous year (2349 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1846 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1022 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.6% were men and 51.4% were women.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Tennessee. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Tennessee, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,371 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Rutherford County, TN

Primary care physicians in Rutherford County, TN see an average of 2,371 patients per year. This represents a 0.937% increase from the previous year (2,349 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Rutherford County, TN in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Tennessee.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Tennessee across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2020, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 26.4% under 18 years, 25.3% between 18 and 34 years, 37.8% between 35 and 64 years, and 10.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.6% were men and 51.4% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

8.96%

Uninsured

57.2%

Employer Coverage

11.4%

Medicaid

Medicare

12.7%

Non-Group

1.74%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Rutherford County, TN grew by 4.74% from 8.55% to 8.96%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Rutherford County, TN changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2021, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 50.2 in Rutherford County, TN.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Rutherford County, TN.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2021, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 33.3% in Rutherford County, TN.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Rutherford County, TN.

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