Rutherford County, North Carolina

Rutherford County
Rutherford County Courthouse
Official seal of Rutherford County
Official logo of Rutherford County
Motto: 
"Vibrant Communities – New Possibilities"
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 / 35.40°N 81.92°W / 35.40; -81.92
Country United States
State North Carolina
FoundedApril 14, 1779
Named forGriffith Rutherford
SeatRutherfordton
Largest communityForest City
Government
 • County ManagerSteve Garrison
Area
 • Total567.25 sq mi (1,469.2 km2)
 • Land565.44 sq mi (1,464.5 km2)
 • Water1.81 sq mi (4.7 km2)  0.32%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total64,444
 • Estimate 
(2023)
65,507
 • Density113.97/sq mi (44.00/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts10th, 11th
Websiterutherfordcountync.gov

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.[1] Its county seat is Rutherfordton.[2] Rutherford County comprises the Forest City, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference 2020CensusQuickFacts was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.