Rutherford County, North Carolina
Rutherford County | |
|---|---|
| Motto: "Vibrant Communities – New Possibilities" | |
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina | |
North Carolina's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 35°24′N 81°55′W / 35.40°N 81.92°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| Founded | April 14, 1779 |
| Named after | Griffith Rutherford |
| Seat | Rutherfordton |
| Largest community | Forest City |
| Government | |
| • County Manager | Steve Garrison |
| Area | |
• Total | 567.25 sq mi (1,469.2 km2) |
| • Land | 565.44 sq mi (1,464.5 km2) |
| • Water | 1.81 sq mi (4.7 km2) 0.32% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 64,444 |
• Estimate (2023) | 65,507 |
| • Density | 113.97/sq mi (44.00/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 14th |
| Website | rutherfordcountync |
Rutherford County is a county in the southwestern area of the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 64,444. Its county seat is Rutherfordton. Rutherford County comprises the Forest City, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area.