Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 33 min6:13 am – 8:46 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 46 min7:33 am – 5:19 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People20,008 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 47.68,124 householdsMedian household income $56,558Median home value $240,200Median rent $818 a month79% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $1,330 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting4.5% unemployment rate51% of adults are in the labour force, 8,110 employedMain industries: education and health care 23%, manufacturing 14%, retail 12%Average commute 27 minutes78% drive alone, 12% car-pool, 2% walk or cycle, 7% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages25% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher88% finished high school, 9% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 96%, Spanish 4%2% speak English less than very wellSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 89°F, lows 67°FColdest month January: highs 52°F, lows 27°F52 in of rain a year, on about 80 dayswettest month June5 in of snow a year, on about 2 days45 days above 90°F, 99 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Forest City 8 W station, 3 mi away; snow from Forest City 6 Sw
Parks and public landsCrestview Parkpark · 1.6 miCharles Deviney Parkpark · 4.2 miChimney Rock State Parkstate park · 13.5 mi · 7,095 acresBobs Creek State Natural Areastate park · 17.1 mi · 3,706 acresPisgah National Forestnational forest · 18.1 mi · 510,983 acresCowpens National Battlefieldhistoric site · 17.7 mi · 800 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes6 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 4+, 0 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 3.5 on 5 May 198124 mi away, near Barker Heights, North CarolinaMost recent: magnitude 3.0 on 4 Aug 200711 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively LowRutherford County, NC, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsStrong wind Relatively HighIce storm Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality55% of days had good air in 2025201 of 365 days measured164 moderate daysMedian index 48, worst day 93main pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, nearest monitors: Spartanburg County, SC, 29 mi away
Internet at home82% of households have a broadband subscription52% have cable, fibre or DSL20% rely on a mobile data plan alone15% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterBroad River Water Authorityserves 18,242 people from surface waterNo health-based violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation947 ft289 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalRutherford Regional Medical Center1.9 miPost officeRutherfordton Post Office2.5 miTown hallRutherfordton Town Hall2.4 miPoliceRutherfordton Police Department2.4 miFire stationRutherfordton Fire and Rescue Department2.4 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportAsheville Regional Airport AVL31 miMajor airportCharlotte Douglas International Airport CLT60 miInterstateI-2614 miUS highwayUS 74 Bus1.8 miAmtrakGastonia, NC GAS47 miCoachForest CitySunway Charters7.8 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 28139 ZIP area.
