Rutherfordton, NC Demographics

A map of Rutherfordton's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	2,522	2,853	68.5%	78.4%
Black	384	352	10.4%	9.7%
Hispanic	366	194	9.9%	5.3%
Multiracial	355	151	9.6%	4.1%
Asian	42	52	1.1%	1.4%
Native American/Other	11	38	0.3%	1.0%

Rutherfordton, North Carolina has an estimated population of 3,680, a slight increase from the 3,640 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 68.5% White, 10.4% Black, 9.9% Hispanic, 9.6% Multiracial, 1.1% Asian, and 0.3% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Rutherfordton, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Rutherfordton has become considerably more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Rutherfordton, that probability was 37.1% in 2020 and 50.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Rutherfordton is ranked the 226th most populous place in North Carolina, out of 776 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Rutherfordton was ranked the 226th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Rutherfordton's White Population

2,522 residents of Rutherfordton, or 68.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Rutherfordton is higher than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Rutherfordton ranks 292nd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rutherfordton's White population has declined by an estimated 11.6%. White residents' share of Rutherfordton's population has decreased from 78.4% to 68.5%.

Rutherfordton is more White than neighboring Forest City (55.6% White). Rutherfordton is less White than neighboring Ruth (84.9% White), Spindale (72.4% White), Bostic (90.1% White), and Caroleen (82.8% White).

Rutherfordton's Black Population

384 residents of Rutherfordton, or 10.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Rutherfordton is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Rutherfordton ranks 426th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rutherfordton's Black population has grown by an estimated 9.1%. Black residents' share of Rutherfordton's population has increased from 9.7% to 10.4%.

Rutherfordton is more Black than neighboring Ruth (1% Black), Bostic (5.5% Black), and Caroleen (0% Black). Rutherfordton is less Black than neighboring Spindale (14.4% Black), and Forest City (21.8% Black).

Rutherfordton's Asian Population

42 residents of Rutherfordton, or 1.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Rutherfordton is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Rutherfordton ranks 177th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rutherfordton's Asian population has declined by an estimated 19.2%. Asian residents' share of Rutherfordton's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.1%.

Rutherfordton is more Asian than neighboring Ruth (0.2% Asian), Spindale (1% Asian), Bostic (0.7% Asian), and Caroleen (0% Asian). Rutherfordton is less Asian than neighboring Forest City (1.6% Asian).

Rutherfordton's Hispanic Population

366 residents of Rutherfordton, or 9.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Rutherfordton is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Rutherfordton ranks 430th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rutherfordton's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 88.7%. Hispanic residents' share of Rutherfordton's population has increased from 5.3% to 9.9%.

Rutherfordton is more Hispanic than neighboring Ruth (8.6% Hispanic), Spindale (6.1% Hispanic), Bostic (0% Hispanic), and Caroleen (0% Hispanic). Rutherfordton is less Hispanic than neighboring Forest City (10.5% Hispanic).

Rutherfordton's Native American/Other Population

11 residents of Rutherfordton, or 0.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Rutherfordton is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Rutherfordton ranks 234th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rutherfordton's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 71.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Rutherfordton's population has decreased from 1.0% to 0.3%.

Rutherfordton is more Native American/Other than neighboring Ruth (0% Native American/Other), and Bostic (0% Native American/Other). Rutherfordton is less Native American/Other than neighboring Spindale (1.3% Native American/Other), Forest City (2.3% Native American/Other), and Caroleen (17.2% Native American/Other).

Rutherfordton's Multiracial Population

355 residents of Rutherfordton, or 9.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Rutherfordton is higher than in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Rutherfordton ranks 286th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Rutherfordton's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 135.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Rutherfordton's population has increased from 4.1% to 9.6%.

Rutherfordton is more Multiracial than neighboring Ruth (5.3% Multiracial), Spindale (4.8% Multiracial), Forest City (8.3% Multiracial), Bostic (3.7% Multiracial), and Caroleen (0% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.