Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

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Rutherfordton, NC

MSAForest City#3/8 Population

Rutherfordton, NC Population, Income & Demographics 2026

Census

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Demographicsi2024 ACS 5-Year EstimatesCensus

3,680population

38.9median age

This community is a community of 3,680 with a median age of 38.9. The population is predominantly White (68.5%) with a significant Black community (10.4%). Median household income is $59,375. 89.2% of adults hold a high school diploma or higher, and 35% have a bachelor's degree. The homeownership rate is 64.3%, with a median home value of $288,400.

Race & Ethnicityi

White

68.5%2,522

Black

10.4%384

Hispanic/Latino

9.9%366

Two or More

9.6%355

Asian

1.1%42

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.2%6

Other

0.1%5

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

2%54

High School Diploma

15.7%431

Some College (<1 yr)

4.9%136

Some College (1+ yr)

19.9%547

Associate's Degree

11.7%322

Bachelor's Degree

24.4%670

Master's Degree

7.2%198

Professional Degree

1.2%32

Doctorate

2.3%62

HS or Higher

89.2%

BA or Higher

35%

Graduate+

10.6%

Housingi

$288,400median home value

$860median rent

64.3%homeownership

1,734total units

10.6%vacancy

Tenure

Owner 64.3%

Renter 35.7%

Home Values

Under $50K

1%10

$50K–$100K

7.6%76

$100K–$150K

3%30

$150K–$200K

17.5%174

$200K–$300K

22.5%224

$300K–$500K

42.7%426

$500K–$1M

5.7%57

Rent Distribution

Under $500

$500–$750

110

$750–$1,000

181

$1,000–$1,250

125

$1,250–$1,500

$2,000+

Year Built

2020 or later

1.2%21

2010–2019

10.2%177

2000–2009

10.1%175

1990–1999

19.6%340

1980–1989

7.3%127

1970–1979

6.5%113

1960–1969

14.9%258

1950–1959

8.9%154

1940–1949

8.5%147

1939 or earlier

12.8%222

Heating Fuel

Electricity

60.1%932

Utility Gas

30.5%473

Bottled/LP Gas

5.5%85

No Fuel

2%31

Fuel Oil

1.9%29

Household Economyi

$59,375median household income

$36,380per capita income

12.1%poverty rate

7.3%unemployment

1,678labor force

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

4.5%70

$10K–$15K

5%78

$15K–$20K

6.1%94

$20K–$25K

10.3%159

$25K–$30K

1.5%24

$30K–$35K

2.6%41

$35K–$40K

9.9%154

$40K–$45K

4.8%75

$45K–$50K

0.9%14

$50K–$60K

5%77

$60K–$75K

6.3%98

$75K–$100K

13.7%212

$100K–$125K

9.5%148

$125K–$150K

8.3%128

$150K–$200K

5.4%83

$200K+

6.1%95

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

Residentsi

106

Avg. Tenant Renti

$386/mo

Programs in this community

Housing Choice Vouchers23 homes68% occupied$421/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 840 homes99% occupied$385/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

202/PRAC27 homes98% occupied$357/mo rent

811/PRAC8 homes

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $59,375/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $18K/yr

57.4%

Very low income$18K–$30K/yr

40.8%

Low income$30K–$48K/yr

1.8%

Who Receives This Housing

73.6% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

31.5% of subsidized households are minority

20.4% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

84.2% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

2697.3%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

179

India

China

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

1,473

Avg. Commutei

22.3 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

1,556

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

140(4.8% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

92.1%Insured

7.9%Uninsured