Housing by town in Rutherford County, North Carolina
Rutherford County, North Carolina has 8 places with Census figures, and its median gross rent is $783 (±$19) a month (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
26.1% of its households rent.
The median gross rent was $636 in 2015–2019 (+23.1%; No measurable change after inflation).
Chimney Rock Village has the highest median gross rent ($1,617) and Ruth the lowest ($675).
Figures last updated on .
- Median gross rent
- $783 (±$19)
- Households that rent
- 26.1%
- Median household income
- $51,410
- Places
- 8
Cities, towns and townships in Rutherford County
| Place | Median gross rent | Households that rent | Median household income | Median home value | Median real estate taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bostic | $855 | 31.9% | $57,813 | $171,900 | $985 |
| Chimney Rock Village | $1,617 | 43.1% | $64,375 | $477,300 | $2,042 |
| Ellenboro | $711 | 34.6% | $49,769 | $164,400 | $808 |
| Forest City | $813 | 54.6% | $35,524 | $160,800 | $1,143 |
| Lake Lure | $786 | 11.9% | $80,357 | $627,000 | $3,923 |
| Ruth | $675 | 24.7% | $51,250 | $138,300 | $1,174 |
| Rutherfordton | $860 | 35.7% | $59,375 | $288,400 | $2,247 |
| Spindale | $755 | 56.4% | $41,262 | $167,400 | $1,455 |
HUD income limits, fiscal year 2026
| Household size | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low (80%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $16,450 | $27,450 | $43,900 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $31,350 | $50,150 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $35,250 | $56,400 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $39,150 | $62,650 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $42,300 | $67,700 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $45,450 | $72,700 |
| 7 people | $48,550 | $48,550 | $77,700 |
| 8 people | $51,700 | $51,700 | $82,700 |
How the places in Rutherford County rank across North Carolina
- North Carolina places ranked by median rent
- North Carolina places ranked by median home value
- North Carolina places ranked by median household income
- North Carolina places ranked by property taxes
- North Carolina places ranked by share of renters
- North Carolina places ranked by rent burden
- North Carolina places ranked by age of homes
- North Carolina places ranked by rental vacancy rate
- North Carolina places ranked by commute time
Crime reported to police in Rutherford County
| Year | Violent crimes | Violent per 100,000 | Property crimes | Property per 100,000 | Residents served | Departments reporting in full |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 132 | 216 | 1,003 | 1,644 | 61,005 | 4 of 5 |
| 2024 | 134 | 216 | 962 | 1,551 | 62,014 | 4 of 5 |
| 2025 | 116 | 188 | 939 | 1,522 | 61,680 | 4 of 5 |
In 2025, the police departments that report for Rutherford County recorded 116 violent and 939 property crimes, 188 and 1,522 per 100,000 residents.
Departments serving 94% of the residents the FBI counts for the county reported every month that year; the rest are left out of these totals.
The county figure adds up its city and town police, its sheriff and any state police with residents of their own; a university or transit force is left out, because the people it serves are already counted by the town around them.
The FBI asks that these figures not be used to rank places or to judge how safe a neighborhood is.
Police departments in Rutherford County, 2025
| Department | Residents served | Violent crimes | Property crimes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutherford County Sheriff's Office | 49,147 | 85 | 475 |
| Forest City Police Department | 7,405 | 23 | 356 |
| Spindale Police Department | 4,188 | — | — |
| Rutherfordton Police Department | 3,732 | 8 | 99 |
| Lake Lure Police Department | 1,396 | 0 | 9 |
ZIP codes in Rutherford County
| ZIP code | Residents | Median gross rent | Median home value | Median household income | Households that rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28043 | 20,930 | $783 | $175,400 | $42,276 | 35.6% |
| 28139 | 20,008 | $818 | $240,200 | $56,558 | 21.4% |
| 28040 | 6,961 | $750 | $169,500 | $58,816 | 14.9% |
| 28018 | 5,034 | $870 | $169,200 | $50,727 | 16.1% |
| 28160 | 3,665 | $735 | $164,000 | $40,868 | 53.1% |
| 28746 | 2,744 | $892 | $470,700 | $70,469 | 11.3% |
| 28167 | 2,253 | — | $234,500 | $59,732 | 1.4% |
| 28720 | 138 | $1,717 | $445,500 | $63,438 | 34.2% |
| 28076 | 105 | — | — | — | 53.2% |
| 28024 | 31 | — | — | — | 0.0% |
| 28074 | 15 | — | — | — | 0.0% |
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Questions about Rutherford County
What is the crime rate in Rutherford County?
In 2025, the police departments that report for Rutherford County recorded 188 violent and 1,522 property crimes per 100,000 residents (116 violent and 939 property crimes in all).
Which place in Rutherford County has the highest rent?
Chimney Rock Village has the highest median gross rent, $1,617 (±$448) a month (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
Which place in Rutherford County has the lowest rent?
Ruth has the lowest median gross rent, $675 (±$349) a month.
What is the median rent in Rutherford County, North Carolina?
The median gross rent in Rutherford County is $783 (±$19) a month (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
Sources
- Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Rutherford County, North Carolina
- Selected Economic Characteristics (DP03), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Rutherford County, North Carolina
- HUD Income Limits, fiscal year 2026: Rutherford County, NC
- FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program, Crime Data Explorer
- FBI: Uniform Crime Reporting statistics and their proper use
- US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for ZIP Code Tabulation Areas
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.
Figures last updated on .