The 2000 Census showed that Rutherford County had a population of 62,899 people. This represented 0.78% of the total population of North Carolina, making it the state's 38th most populous county (out of 100 counties).
From the Census Estimates for 2009<1>, Rutherford had a population of 63,415 people. This is an increase of 0.82% since the 2000 Census.
The following table shows the recent changes in population. Other than 2000, the population counts have been estimated by the Census Bureau.
Year | Population | Change Since 2000 | Year-to-Year Change |
2010 | 67,810 | +7.81% | +6.93% since 2009 |
2009 | 63,415 | +0.82% | |
2008 | 63,436 | +0.85% | +0.53% since 2007 |
2007 | 63,103 | +0.32% | +0.11% since 2006 |
2006 | 63,033 | +0.21% | +0.4% since 2005 |
2005 | 62,779 | -0.19% | |
2004 | 62,819 | -0.13% | -0.35% since 2003 |
2003 | 63,042 | +0.23% | +0.12% since 2002 |
2002 | 62,969 | +0.11% | -0.29% since 2001 |
2001 | 63,155 | +0.41% | +0.41% since 2000 |
--- | | | 2000 | 62,899 | The Last Census |
Rutherford County had 29,535 Housing Units<2> at the time of the 2000 Census.
The 2000 Census shows that Rutherford County has a total area<3> of 565 square miles [1,465 km²]. Of this total, only a minor amount of that area is covered by water (1.78 square miles [4.62 km²]).
Using the above population and land area values, Rutherford County had a population density of 111.5 people per square mile [43.05 people/km²], making it the state's 45th most densely populated county (out of 100 counties).
US Census QuickFacts
The Census Bureau has created documents containing demographic information that are called QuickFacts. A QuickFact that is specific to Rutherford County is available. The QuickFact also contains a comparison between Rutherford and the state of North Carolina. Click here for the Rutherford County QuickFact (QF-37161).
Below are some of the communities that are located in Rutherford County:
Community | Census QuickFact | Population (2009 Est) | Population (2000 Census) | Change in Population |
Forest City | QF-3724080 | 6,963 | 7,549 | -7.76% |
Below are the counties that adjoin and form the boundaries of Rutherford County. A link to their specific Census QuickFact has been provided.
County | Census QuickFact | Direction | Population (2009 Est.) | Population (2000 Census) | Change in Population |
Buncombe | QF-37021 | NW | 231,452 | 206,330 | 12.18% |
Burke | QF-37023 | NE | 89,548 | 89,148 | 0.45% |
Cleveland | QF-37045 | E | 99,274 | 96,287 | 3.1% |
Henderson | QF-37089 | W | 103,669 | 89,173 | 16.26% |
McDowell | QF-37111 | N | 43,988 | 42,151 | 4.36% |
Polk | QF-37149 | SW | 19,255 | 18,324 | 5.08% |
Cherokee (SC) | QF-45021 | SE | 54,714 | 52,537 | 4.14% |
Spartanburg (SC) | QF-45083 | S | 286,822 | 253,791 | 13.02% |
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