Rutherford County, NC

County

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2021 Population

64,592

3.22% 1-year decline

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Budd

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

45.1

0.221% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

18.2%

2.33% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$45,500

5.37% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$133,600

6.79% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

26,157

2.77% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Rutherford County, NC had a population of 64.6k people with a median age of 45.1 and a median household income of $45,500. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Rutherford County, NC declined from 66,741 to 64,592, a −3.22% decrease and its median household income grew from $43,183 to $45,500, a 5.37% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Rutherford County, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (82.4%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (9.1%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.7%), White (Hispanic) (2.7%), and Other (Hispanic) (1.39%).

None of the households in Rutherford County, 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.

98.6% of the residents in Rutherford County, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Rutherford County, NC are Isothermal Community College (1,304 degrees awarded in 2021).

In 2021, the median property value in Rutherford County, NC was $133,600, and the homeownership rate was 71.9%.

Most people in Rutherford County, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 25.2 minutes. The average car ownership in Rutherford County, NC was 2 cars per household.

Rutherford County, NC borders Buncombe County, NC, Burke County, NC, Cleveland County, NC, Henderson County, NC, McDowell County, NC, Polk County, NC, Cherokee County, SC, and Spartanburg County, SC.

United States North Carolina Forest City, NC

Population & Diversity

Rutherford County, NC is home to a population of 64.6k people, from which 98.6% are citizens. As of 2021, 2.8% of Rutherford County, NC residents were born outside of the country (1.81k people).

In 2021, there were 9.05 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (53.2k people) in Rutherford County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.88k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.74k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.6%

2021 Citizenship

98.5%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 98.6% of Rutherford County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Rutherford County, NC was 98.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Rutherford County, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
53.2k ± 193
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
5.88k ± 321
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
1.74k ± 340

4.81%

Hispanic Population

3.11k people

4.81% of the people in Rutherford County, NC are hispanic (3.11k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Rutherford County, NC 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 North Carolina.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
219,250 ± 11,374 people
India
77,157 ± 6,794 people
Honduras
37,868 ± 4,769 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 219,250 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 77,157 and Honduras with 37,868.

Foreign-Born Population

2.8%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

1.81k people

2.89%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

1.93k people

As of 2021, 2.8% of Rutherford County, NC residents (1.81k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Rutherford County, NC was 2.89%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,651 ± 275
Gulf War (2001-)
619 ± 235
Gulf War (1990s)
567 ± 177

Rutherford County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.67 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Rutherford County, NC employs 26.2k people. The largest industries in Rutherford County, NC are Manufacturing (4,998 people), Retail Trade (3,495 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (3,335 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($58,036), Wholesale Trade ($55,179), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($53,125).

Males in North Carolina have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $52,490. The income inequality in North Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.47, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

26.2k

2021 Value

± 1,314

−2.77%

1 Year decline

± 7.39%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Rutherford County, NC declined at a rate of −2.77%, from 26.9k employees to 26.2k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Rutherford County, NC, are Production Occupations (3,590 people), Sales & Related Occupations (2,816 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,181 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Rutherford County, NC.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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

26.2k

2021 Value

± 1,314

−2.77%

1 Year decline

± 7.39%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Rutherford County, NC declined at a rate of −2.77%, from 26.9k employees to 26.2k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Rutherford County, NC, are Manufacturing (4,998 people), Retail Trade (3,495 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (3,335 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Rutherford County, NC, though some of these residents may live in Rutherford County, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$36,522

Median earning men ± $2,494

$26,178

Median earning women ± $1,209

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Wholesale Trade ($54,813), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($51,812), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($47,500).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Wholesale Trade ($76,719), Information ($53,996), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($38,697).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

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

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

381
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
278
Manufacturing
268
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

$467k
Manufacturing
$253k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$76.9k
Retail Trade

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 North Carolina to other states, or from other states to North Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $53.7B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($49.7B) and Machinery ($44.5B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina.

$462B

2020 Value in North Carolina

$926B

Projected 2050 Value in North Carolina

100% growth

In 2020, total outbound North Carolina trade was $462B. This is expected to increase 100% to $926B by 2050.

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

Interstate Trade

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

Most Common Trade Partners

South Carolina
$32.8B
Virginia
$26.1B
Georgia
$18.1B

In 2020, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $32.8B, followed by Virginia with $26.1B and Georgia and $18.1B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Rutherford County, NC went to Donald J. Trump with 72.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (26.5%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.633%).

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

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (72.3%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (26.5%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.633%)
Libertarian Party

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

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 Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Ted Budd

Senator from North Carolina

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.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from North Carolina

North Carolina is currently represented by 14 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 North Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Rutherford County, NC awarded 1,304 degrees. The student population of Rutherford County, NC in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 684 male students and 1,229 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Rutherford County, NC are White (1,010 and 78.9%), followed by Black or African American (97 and 7.58%), Hispanic or Latino (92 and 7.19%), and Unknown (32 and 2.5%).

The largest universities in Rutherford County, NC by number of degrees awarded are Isothermal Community College (1,304 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Rutherford County, NC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (200 and 15.3%), General Studies (194 and 14.9%), and General Business Administration & Management (124 and 9.51%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 1,913 students enrolled in Rutherford County, NC, 35.8% men and 64.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,381 records, of which 62.9% were women and 37.1% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
200 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
26 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
18 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Rutherford County, NC was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 200 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Isothermal Community College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

1,304 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Isothermal Community College with 1,304 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 582 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Rutherford County, NC, which is 0.806 times less than the 722 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,010 degrees mean that there were 10.4 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 97 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

Public, 2-year ($1,824) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($170) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,200) 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 North Carolina.

Measure

In 2021, 0.886% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.756% 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 North Carolina.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (2.13M), Some college (1.85M), and Bachelors Degree (1.58M).

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, NC was $133,600 in 2021, which is 0.546 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $125,100 to $133,600, a 6.79% increase. The homeownership rate in Rutherford County, NC is 71.9%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Rutherford County, NC have an average commute time of 25.2 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Rutherford County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Rutherford County, NC is $45,500. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Rutherford County, NC was Census Tract 9604 with a value of $68,351, followed by Census Tract 9611.02 and Census Tract 9607, with respective values of $55,531 and $46,679.

In 2022, 14.1% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Rutherford County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.88%.

Housing

Property

$133,600

Median Property Value 2021

±$10,513

$18,645

Median Property Taxes

±$965

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, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

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

Rent vs Own

71.9%

Homeownership

2021

67%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 71.9% of the housing units in Rutherford County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 71.6%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Rutherford County, NC 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 9604
Census Tract 9611.02
Census Tract 9607

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Rutherford County, NC was Census Tract 9604 with a value of $68,351, followed by Census Tract 9611.02 and Census Tract 9607, with respective values of $55,531 and $46,679.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Rutherford County, NC 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.

$45,500

Median Household Income

± $2,080

25.9k

Number of Households

± 1,263

In 2021, the median household income of the 25.9k households in Rutherford County, NC grew to $45,500 from the previous year's value of $43,183.

The following chart displays the households in Rutherford County, 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 $60k - $75k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Rutherford County, NC is from North Carolina.

0.47

2021 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.47

2020 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2021, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.47 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.00774% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (81.7%)
Carpooled (11%)
Worked At Home (4.42%)

In 2021, 81.7% of workers in Rutherford County, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (11%) and those who worked at home (4.42%).

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

25.2 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Rutherford County, NC have a shorter commute time (25.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.61% of the workforce in Rutherford County, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Rutherford County, NC 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, NC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Rutherford County, NC have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 14.1% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Rutherford County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.88%.

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

Poverty & Diversity

18.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Rutherford County, NC (11.6k out of 63.5k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Males 55 - 64.

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

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 2022, 25.5% of the children was living in poverty in Rutherford County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 3.3%.

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 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 196 in Rutherford County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 49.3 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

87.1% of the population of Rutherford County, NC has health coverage, with 33.4% on employee plans, 18.9% on Medicaid, 16.9% on Medicare, 16.2% on non-group plans, and 1.66% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Rutherford County, NC see 2394 patients per year on average, which represents a 3.91% increase from the previous year (2304 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 3946 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 639 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.9% were men and 52.1% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,394 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Rutherford County, NC

Primary care physicians in Rutherford County, NC see an average of 2,394 patients per year. This represents a 3.91% increase from the previous year (2,304 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 21.9% under 18 years, 17.1% between 18 and 34 years, 39.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 21.1% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.9% were men and 52.1% were women.

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

Uninsured People

12.9%

Uninsured

33.4%

Employer Coverage

18.9%

Medicaid

16.9%

Medicare

16.2%

Non-Group

1.66%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Rutherford County, NC declined by 0.489% from 12.9% to 12.9%.

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

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 42 in Rutherford County, NC.

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

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, 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 35.1% in Rutherford County, NC.

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

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