Rutherfordton ZIP Codes — Rutherford County, NC

There is one unique ZIP code in Rutherfordton, North Carolina and it is 28139. Area code: 828.

ZIP codes

181.86

sq mi land

0.16

sq mi water

828

area code

Rutherfordton, NC ZIP code map

About Rutherfordton, NC

Rutherfordton, North Carolina, is a charming town located in the heart of Rutherford County. Known for its rich history and vibrant community, it offers a small-town atmosphere with easy access to outdoor activities. The city serves as a hub for visitors exploring the beautiful landscapes and attractions of western North Carolina.

Location & geography

Rutherfordton is situated approximately 30 miles west of the bustling city of Charlotte and about 15 miles from the scenic Lake Lure. The town covers a total land area of 181.86 square miles, with an additional 0.16 square miles designated as water. The terrain consists of rolling hills and picturesque valleys, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers.

Community & economy

The character of Rutherfordton is defined by its friendly and close-knit community where residents often come together for local events. Key industries include manufacturing, agriculture, and retail, providing a diverse economic foundation for the area. Daily life here is complemented by a commitment to preserving local heritage, as well as a focus on community-oriented festivals and gatherings.

Transportation

Rutherfordton is conveniently located along U.S. Highway 74, which facilitates travel to surrounding areas. The nearest major airport is Asheville Regional Airport, approximately 45 miles to the northwest, making air travel accessible. Public transit options are limited, but local transportation services are available for residents and visitors.

History

Rutherfordton was founded in the late 18th century and has since played a vital role in the development of western North Carolina. Historically, the town was known for its agricultural success and served as a key location for commerce in the region. Notable events include its designation as the county seat of Rutherford County, which brought growth and development to the area.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Rutherfordton is that it is home to several historic sites, including the historic Courthouse Square. Additionally, the town has been recognized for its vibrant arts scene, showcasing local talent through various cultural events.

ZIP codes for Rutherfordton, NC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
28139	Rutherfordton	Rutherford	View map

Demographics & statistics

18,624

Population

49.1

Median age

$55,371

Median household income

$30,172

Per capita income

$180,600

Median home value

$856

Median monthly rent

80.3%

Home ownership

17.0%

Poverty rate

2.6%

Unemployment

7,345

Housing units

22.0%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

411

Under 5

465

479

5–9

541

442

10–14

499

505

15–19

570

323

20–24

364

946

25–34

1,068

970

35–44

1,097

908

45–54

1,026

798

55–59

901

727

60–64

821

1,136

65–74

1,284

815

75–84

920

285

85+

323

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	3,612	19.4%
18 and over	15,012	80.6%
65 and over	4,763	25.6%
Median age	49.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 85.7%

Black or African American 5.3%

Two or more races 4%

Hispanic or Latino 3.4%

Other race 1.3%

Asian 0.2%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	16,513	85.7%
Black or African American	1,022	5.3%
Two or more races	772	4%
Hispanic or Latino	652	3.4%
Other race	256	1.3%
Asian	33	0.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native	28	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 6.8%

$10k–$15k 8.9%

$15k–$25k 7.7%

$25k–$35k 12.6%

$35k–$50k 11.2%

$50k–$75k 20.0%

$75k–$100k 9.4%

$100k–$150k 16.1%

$150k–$200k 3.0%

$200k+ 4.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.8%
$10k–$15k	8.9%
$15k–$25k	7.7%
$25k–$35k	12.6%
$35k–$50k	11.2%
$50k–$75k	20.0%
$75k–$100k	9.4%
$100k–$150k	16.1%
$150k–$200k	3.0%
$200k+	4.3%
Median income	$55,371

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 9.8%

$50k–$100k 15.3%

$100k–$150k 15.5%

$150k–$200k 14.9%

$200k–$300k 23.8%

$300k–$500k 13.1%

$500k–$1M 6.6%

$1M+ 0.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$180,600
Median rent / month	$856
Owner occupied	80.3%
Renter occupied	19.7%
Vacant	12.9%
Single-family detached	73.0%
Large apartment buildings	1.4%
Mobile homes	20.1%
Median rooms	5.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.35

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.6%
2010–2019	4.7%
2000–2009	18.3%
1990–1999	22.9%
1980–1989	10.3%
1970–1979	11.5%
1960–1969	10.7%
1950–1959	7.2%
1940–1949	4.8%
1939 or earlier	9.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.6%
1 bedroom	2.9%
2 bedrooms	23.8%
3 bedrooms	58.2%
4 bedrooms	11.4%
5+ bedrooms	3.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.9%
1 vehicle	23.8%
2 vehicles	38.4%
3 or more	32.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	7.2%
Electricity	64.1%
Propane / LP gas	14.5%
Fuel oil	9.1%
Wood	3.9%
Solar	0.4%
No fuel used	0.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	3,631	47.0%
Cohabiting couple	526	6.8%
Male householder, no spouse	1,613	20.9%
Female householder, no spouse	1,958	25.3%
Households with children under 18	1,777	23.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	3,430	44.4%
Average household size	2.34

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	24.5%	22.9%
Married	53.8%	45.5%
Separated	3.3%	2.8%
Widowed	7.7%	14.4%
Divorced	10.8%	14.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.0%

Some HS, no diploma 8.1%

HS graduate 29.2%

Some college, no degree 23.8%

Associate's degree 11.9%

Bachelor's degree 15.3%

Graduate / professional 6.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	86.9%
Bachelor's or higher	22.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	291	8.0%
Kindergarten	97	2.7%
Elementary school	1,652	45.2%
High school	739	20.2%
College / grad school	876	24.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 20.9%

Manufacturing 13.6%

Retail trade 12.4%

Professional & management 10.6%

Arts, food & hospitality 10.4%

Construction 7.3%

Transportation & utilities 6.1%

Public administration 5.3%

Other services 4.2%

Finance & real estate 4.1%

Agriculture & mining 2.9%

Wholesale trade 1.5%

Information 0.9%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	29.7%
Service	20.8%
Sales & office	20.0%
Natural resources & construction	12.4%
Production & transportation	17.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	77.3%
Government	15.6%
Self-employed	6.4%
Unpaid family workers	0.6%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	75.3%
Carpool	14.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.7%
Other means	2.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	27.2

Poverty

All people 17.0%

Under 18 years 19.4%

18 and over 16.4%

Married-couple families 5.6%

Female-led households 34.2%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	50.1%
Retirement income	29.0%
Supplemental Security	5.8%
Cash public assistance	1.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	15.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.0%
High cholesterol	36.9%
Heart disease	8.0%
Stroke	3.8%
Asthma	9.5%
Arthritis	29.5%
Kidney disease	3.5%
Pulmonary disease	8.5%
Cancer	7.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.6%
No physical activity	24.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.7%
Fair or poor health	15.5%
Poor mental health	14.4%
Poor physical health	12.0%
No health insurance	17.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.9%
Visited dentist	61.4%
Cholesterol screening	90.5%
Teeth loss	15.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,391	9.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	22.0%
Under 18	4.2%
18–64 years	19.2%
65 and over	42.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	60.1%
Public insurance	47.1%
Uninsured under 19	5.5%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	17,748	95.3%
Spanish	157	0.9%
Other Indo-European	149	0.8%
Asian & Pacific Islander	8	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	18,048	96.9%
Born in same state	17,946	96.4%
Born in different state	11,229	60.3%
Foreign born	102	0.5%
Naturalized citizen	576	3.1%
Not a US citizen	367	63.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	3,030	16.3%
French	2,929	15.7%
Italian	1,559	8.4%
Dutch	93	0.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	78	0.4%
Polish	46	0.2%
German	36	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.5%
Internet access	88.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Rutherfordton, NC have?

Rutherfordton, NC has one ZIP code: 28139. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.