Rutherfordton, NC

Census Place

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    2024 Population
    3,680
    US Senator
    Thom Tillis
    Republican Party
    US Senator
    Ted Budd
    Republican Party
    2024 Median Age
    38.9
    0.256% 1-year decrease
    2024 Poverty Rate
    12.7%
    33.5% 1-year decrease
    2024 Median Household Income
    $59,375
    0.628% 1-year decline
    2024 Median Property Value
    $288,400
    27.1% 1-year growth
    2024 Employed Population
    1,556
    7.46% 1-year growth

    About

    None of the households in Rutherfordton, NC 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.

    95.6% of the residents in Rutherfordton, NC are U.S. citizens.

    In 2024, the median property value in Rutherfordton, NC was $288,400, and the homeownership rate was 64.3%.

    Most people in Rutherfordton, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Rutherfordton, NC was 2 cars per household.

    United StatesNorth CarolinaRutherford County, NCForest City, NCRutherford, Cleveland (West) & Polk Counties--Shelby City PUMA, NC

    Population & Diversity

    Rutherfordton, NC is home to a population of 3.68k people, from which 95.6% are citizens. As of 2024, 7.31% of Rutherfordton, NC residents were born outside of the country (269 people).

    In 2024, there were 6.57 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (2.52k people) in Rutherfordton, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 384 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 344 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    Population & Diversity

    Citizenship

    95.6%
    2024 Citizenship
    96.4%
    2023 Citizenship

    As of 2024, 95.6% of Rutherfordton, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Rutherfordton, NC was 96.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

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    Diversity

    Race and Ethnicity

    The 3 largest ethnic groups in Rutherfordton, NC
    1. White (Non-Hispanic)
      2.52k ± 321
    2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
      384 ± 182
    3. Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
      344 ± 205
    9.95%
    Hispanic Population
    366 people

    In 2024, there were 6.57 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (2.52k people) in Rutherfordton, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 384 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 344 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    9.95% of the people in Rutherfordton, NC are hispanic (366 people).

    The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Rutherfordton, NC as a share of the total population.

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    Global Diversity

    The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.
    Most Common Origin
    1. Mexico
      228,441 ± 11,609 people
    2. India
      90,815 ± 7,367 people
    3. Honduras
      52,061 ± 5,588 people

    In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 228,441 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 90,815 and Honduras with 52,061.

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    Foreign-Born Population

    7.31%
    2024 Foreign-Born Population
    269 people
    7%
    2023 Foreign-Born Population
    257 people

    As of 2024, 7.31% of Rutherfordton, NC residents (269 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Rutherfordton, NC was 7%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

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    Military

    Veterans

    Most Common Service Period
    1. Vietnam
      59 ± 46
    2. Gulf War (1990s)
      16 ± 18
    3. Gulf War (2001-)
      12 ± 29

    Rutherfordton, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.69 times greater than any other conflict.

    The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Rutherfordton, NC.

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    Health

    92.1% of the population of Rutherfordton, NC has health coverage, with 29% on employee plans, 20.6% on Medicaid, 24.2% on Medicare, 16.3% on non-group plans, and 1.96% on military or VA plans.

    Primary care physicians in North Carolina see 1,413 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,413 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1634 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 299 patients per year.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 42.9% were men and 57.1% were women.

    Coverage

    Health Care Diversity

    In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 23.7% under 18 years, 21.6% between 18 and 34 years, 27.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 27% over 64 years.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 42.9% were men and 57.1% were women.

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

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    Uninsured People

    7.88%
    Uninsured
    29%
    Employer Coverage
    20.6%
    Medicaid
    24.2%
    Medicare
    16.3%
    Non-Group
    1.96%
    Military or VA

    Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Rutherfordton, NC declined by 37.4% from 12.6% to 7.88%.

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

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    Economy

    The economy of Rutherfordton, NC employs 1.56k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Rutherfordton, NC were Health Care & Social Assistance (349 people), Manufacturing (234 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (201 people), and the highest paying industries were Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($77,841), Manufacturing ($72,857), and Public Administration ($63,971).

    Employment

    Occupations

    1.56k
    2024 Value
    ± 327
    7.46%
    1 Year growth
    ± 27.7%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Rutherfordton, NC grew at a rate of 7.46%, from 1.45k employees to 1.56k employees.

    The most common job groups, by number of people living in Rutherfordton, NC, are Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (169 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (165 people), and Production Occupations (141 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Rutherfordton, NC.

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    Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

    This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (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

    1.56k
    2024 Value
    ± 327
    7.46%
    1 Year growth
    ± 27.7%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Rutherfordton, NC grew at a rate of 7.46%, from 1.45k employees to 1.56k employees.

    The most common employment sectors for those who live in Rutherfordton, NC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (349 people), Manufacturing (234 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (201 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Rutherfordton, NC, though some of these residents may live in Rutherfordton, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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    Median Earnings by Industry

    $35,640
    Median earning men ± $24,690
    $31,721
    Median earning women ± $8,293

    The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Manufacturing ($101,016), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($70,804), and Retail Trade ($63,984).

    The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($54,181), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($51,080), and Manufacturing ($39,161).

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    Employment by Industry Sector

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.
    Y-Axis
    3.04%
    Year-over-year growth
    Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

    As of February 2023, there are 4.86M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 3.04% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

    Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.9%.

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

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    Civics

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 50.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (47.6%), followed by Other (0.675%).

    Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing the state of North Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    North Carolina is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

    Presidential Elections

    Voting results are not available for Rutherfordton, NC. Showing the available data for North Carolina.
    2024 Election Results
    1. Donald J. Trump (50.9%)
      Republican Party
    2. Kamala Harris (47.6%)
      Democratic Party
    3. Other (0.675%)
      Other Party

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 50.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (47.6%), followed by Other (0.675%).

    The following chart shows the popular vote results in North Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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    Senator Elections

    US Senators from North Carolina

    Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.
    Thom Tillis
    Senator from North Carolina2
    Assumed office on January 3, 2015
    Ted Budd
    Senator from North Carolina3
    Assumed office on January 3, 2023

    Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing North Carolina.

    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 North Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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    Housing & Living

    The median property value in Rutherfordton, NC was $288,400 in 2024, which is 0.867 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $226,900 to $288,400, a 27.1% increase. The homeownership rate in Rutherfordton, NC is 64.3%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

    People in Rutherfordton, NC have an average commute time of 22.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Rutherfordton, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

    Housing

    Property

    $288,400
    Median Property Value 2024
    ±$68,226
    $997
    Median Property Taxes
    ±$239

    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 Rutherfordton, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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

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    Rent vs Own

    64.3%
    Homeownership
    2024
    70.2%
    Homeowners with Mortgage
    2024

    In 2024, 64.3% of the housing units in Rutherfordton, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 65%.

    This chart shows the percentage of owner in Rutherfordton, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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    Equity

    Household Income

    Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
    $59,375
    Median Household Income
    ± $13,689
    1.55k
    Number of Households
    ± 296

    In 2024, the median household income of the 1.55k households in Rutherfordton, NC declined from $59,375 from the previous year's value of $59,750.

    The following chart displays the households in Rutherfordton, NC 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.

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    Wage Distribution

    The closest comparable wage GINI for Rutherfordton, NC is from North Carolina.
    0.466
    2024 Wage GINI in North Carolina
    0.467
    2023 Wage GINI in North Carolina

    In 2024, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.466 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.16% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

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

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    Transportation

    Commuter Transportation

    Most Common Commute in 2024
    1. Drove Alone (75.6%)
    2. Carpooled (13.9%)
    3. Worked At Home (10.5%)

    In 2024, 75.6% of workers in Rutherfordton, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (13.9%) and those who worked at home (10.5%).

    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.

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    Commute Time

    22.3 minutes
    Average Travel Time

    Using averages, employees in Rutherfordton, NC have a shorter commute time (22.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.43% of the workforce in Rutherfordton, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

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    Car Ownership

    2 cars
    Average Number

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

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    Poverty

    Poverty & Diversity

    12.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Rutherfordton, NC (446 out of 3.52k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 25 - 34, followed by Females 5 and then Females 6 - 11.

    The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Rutherfordton, NC is White, followed by Two Or More and Black.

    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.

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