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Rutherford County, North Carolina

Coordinates: 35°24′N 81°55′W / 35.40°N 81.92°W / 35.40; -81.92
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Rutherford County
County
Official seal of Rutherford County
Seal
Motto: 
"small town friendly"
Map of North Carolina highlighting Rutherford County
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 35°24′N 81°55′W / 35.4°N 81.92°W / 35.4; -81.92
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1779
SeatRutherfordton
Area
 • Total566 sq mi (1,470 km2)
 • Land564 sq mi (1,460 km2)
 • Water2 sq mi (5 km2)  0.31%
Population
 (2000)
 • Total62,899
 • Density110/sq mi (43/km2)
Websitewww.rutherfordcountync.gov

Rutherford County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2000, the population was 62,899. Its county seat is RutherfordtonTemplate:GR.

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

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 566 square miles (1,466 km²), of which, 564 square miles (1,461 km²) of it is land and 2 square miles (5 km²) of it (0.31%) is water.

Rutherford County Elevation

Adjacent counties

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR 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, 0.33% 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.

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.

Cities and towns

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

Cliffside, North Carolina

Townships

The county is divided into 14 townships: Camp Creek, Chimney Rock, Colfax, Cool Spring, Duncans Creek, Gilkey, Golden Valley, Green Hill, High Shoals, Logan Store, Morgan, Rutherfordton, Sulphur Springs, and Union.

Notable Locals & Notable Former Residents

  • Bill Keever World class skeet shooter
  • Walter Dalton Current lieutenant governor of NC
  • Monty Hendrix (Born in Rutherford County, 1974) A 2x time NC State Game's Karate gold medalist and 3x time silver medalist, A 2x AAU National Taekwon-Do bronze medalist, A former American TaeKwonDo Association's World Taekwon-Do Championships Bronze and Silver Medalist and former top 3 nationally ranked competitor. Currently the World HapKiDo Association's East Coast Director.

References


External links

35°24′N 81°55′W / 35.40°N 81.92°W / 35.40; -81.92

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