Rutherford County, North Carolina

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Rutherford County, North Carolina
Seal of Rutherford County, North Carolina
Seal
Motto: small town friendly
Map of North Carolina highlighting Rutherford County
Location in the U.S. state of North Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting North Carolina
North Carolina's location in the U.S.
Founded 1779
Named for Griffith Rutherford
Seat Rutherfordton
Largest town Forest City
Area
 • Total 566 sq mi (1,466 km2)
 • Land 564 sq mi (1,461 km2)
 • Water 1.7 sq mi (4 km2), 0.3%
Population
 • (2010) 67,810
 • Density 120/sq mi (46/km²)
Congressional district 10th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website rutherfordcountync.gov

Rutherford County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 67,810.[1] Its county seat is Rutherfordton.[2]

Rutherford County comprises the Forest City, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The county was formed in 1779 from the western part of the former Tryon County. It was named for Griffith Rutherford, leader of an expedition against the Cherokee in 1776 and a general in the American Revolutionary War.

In 1791 parts of Rutherford County and Burke County were combined to form Buncombe County. In 1841 parts of Rutherford County and Lincoln County were combined to form Cleveland County. In 1842 additional parts of Rutherford County and Burke County were combined to form McDowell County. Finally, in 1855 parts of Rutherford County and Henderson County were combined to form Polk County.

Geography

File:Rutherford nc elevation.png
Rutherford County Elevation

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 566 square miles (1,470 km2), of which 564 square miles (1,460 km2) is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2) (0.3%) is water.[3]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

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Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1790 7,808
1800 10,753 37.7%
1810 13,202 22.8%
1820 15,351 16.3%
1830 17,557 14.4%
1840 19,202 9.4%
1850 13,550 −29.4%
1860 11,573 −14.6%
1870 13,121 13.4%
1880 15,198 15.8%
1890 18,770 23.5%
1900 25,101 33.7%
1910 28,385 13.1%
1920 31,426 10.7%
1930 40,452 28.7%
1940 45,577 12.7%
1950 46,356 1.7%
1960 45,091 −2.7%
1970 47,337 5.0%
1980 53,787 13.6%
1990 56,918 5.8%
2000 62,899 10.5%
2010 67,810 7.8%
Est. 2014 66,600 [4] −1.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2013[1]

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 62,899 people, 25,191 households, and 17,935 families residing in the county. The population density was 112 people per square mile (43/km²). There were 29,535 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile (20/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 86.79% White, 11.23% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.67% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. 1.81% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

The largest ancestry groups in Rutherford County are:[10]

  • English - 44%
  • Irish - 9%
  • Black or African American - 11%
  • German - 5%
  • Scotch-Irish - 4%
  • Scottish - 3%
  • Dutch - 2%
  • Italian - 1%
  • French or French Canadian (except Basque) - 1%
  • Mexican - 1%
  • Polish - 1%

There were 25,191 households out of which 30.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.40% were married couples living together, 11.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the county the population was spread out with 23.80% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,122, and the median income for a family was $37,787. Males had a median income of $28,890 versus $21,489 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,270. About 10.40% of families and 13.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.30% of those under age 18 and 13.80% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

In 2010, Rutherford County was selected as the location for a new $450 million data center for Facebook.[11][12]

Horsehead Corporation announced the construction of its new, state-of-the-art zinc and diversified metals production facility in Rutherford County, NC, near the municipality of Forest City.[13]

Communities

Map of Rutherford County, North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels

Towns

Village

Census-designated places

Cities and towns

Townships

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  • Camp Creek
  • Cliffside
  • Chimney Rock
  • Colfax, Cool Spring
  • Duncans Creek
  • Gilkey
  • Golden Valley
  • Green Hill
  • High Shoals
  • Mt. Vernon
  • Rutherfordton
  • Union Mills

Notable people

See also

References

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  10. https://books.google.com/books?id=ZbJnMLVID9kC&q=%22Rutherford+County%221980+census+ancestry&dq=%22Rutherford+County%221980+census+ancestry&hl=en&sa=X&ei=mCEFVcS1KojooATW8IGYDA&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAA
  11. http://www.facebook.com/rutherfordDataCenter
  12. http://rutherfordncedc.com/Facebooks-Data-Center-Project-Hires-Locally.html
  13. http://www.horsehead.net/facility_content.php?ID=17

External links

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