Rutherfordton, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rutherfordton, North Carolina
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Main Street (US 221)
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| Motto(s):
"A Minted Original"
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Location of Rutherfordton, North Carolina
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| Country | United States | |
| State | North Carolina | |
| County | Rutherford | |
| Established | 1787 | |
| Named for | Griffith Rutherford | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 4.14 sq mi (10.73 km2) | |
| • Land | 4.14 sq mi (10.73 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) | |
| Elevation | 915 ft (279 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,640 | |
| • Density | 878.59/sq mi (339.23/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP code |
28139
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| Area code(s) | 828 | |
| FIPS code | 37-58460 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 2407262 | |
| Website | www.rutherfordton.net | |
Rutherfordton (usually pronounced (/ˈrʌfɪn/ RUF-in) or (/ˈrʌftʌn/ RUF-tun), among other similar variations) is a town and the county seat of Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 3,640 at the 2020 census.
History
The town of Rutherfordton was founded in 1787 to serve as the new seat of Rutherford County, taking over from Gilbert Town. Its foundation was planned by a committee appointed by the General Assembly of North Carolina. The committee purchased 50 acres of land on Cleghorn Creek from landowner James Adair. The plots included a hill safe from flooding, making it a perfect site for building the town courthouse. By 1791, the main streets of Rutherfordton had been laid out on a grid plan. Next was the construction of the U.S. Post Office in 1798, and the establishment of the Rutherfordton Academy in 1806.
Rutherfordton was at the center of the flourishing North Carolina gold industry between 1790 and 1840. During that period, 70% of the American gold supply came from western North Carolina. German-born goldsmith Christopher Bechtler minted the first U.S. gold dollars in Rutherfordton.
Geography
Rutherfordton is concentrated around the intersection of U.S. Route 221 and North Carolina Highway 108. The town of Ruth borders Rutherfordton to the north, and the town of Spindale borders Rutherfordton to the east.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 4.2 square miles (10.8 km2), all land.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 484 | — | |
| 1870 | 479 | — | |
| 1880 | 300 | −37.4% | |
| 1900 | 880 | — | |
| 1910 | 1,062 | 20.7% | |
| 1920 | 1,693 | 59.4% | |
| 1930 | 2,020 | 19.3% | |
| 1940 | 2,326 | 15.1% | |
| 1950 | 3,146 | 35.3% | |
| 1960 | 3,392 | 7.8% | |
| 1970 | 3,245 | −4.3% | |
| 1980 | 3,434 | 5.8% | |
| 1990 | 3,617 | 5.3% | |
| 2000 | 4,131 | 14.2% | |
| 2010 | 4,213 | 2.0% | |
| 2020 | 3,640 | −13.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 census
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 2,853 | 78.38% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 352 | 9.67% |
| Native American | 12 | 0.33% |
| Asian | 52 | 1.43% |
| Pacific Islander | 1 | 0.03% |
| Other/Mixed | 176 | 4.84% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 194 | 5.33% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 3,640 people, 1,882 households, and 893 families residing in the town.
Arts and culture
Sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places including: the Bechtler Mint Site, Carrier Houses, Fox Haven Plantation, Gilbert Town Historic District, George W. Logan House, Main Street Historic District, Rutherford County Courthouse, Rutherfordton-Spindale Central High School, St. Luke's Chapel, and Trinity Lutheran Church.
Notable people
- Michael Johnston – actor
- Betsy Brantley – actress
- William T. Carpenter – psychiatrist who served as an expert witness in the trial of John W. Hinckley
- Walter H. Dalton – former Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina
- Bruce Davis – former National Football League offensive tackle
- Gomer Hodge – former Major League Baseball player, coach, and manager
- Sherry Hursey – actress
- Tom Wright – former Major League Baseball outfielder
See also
In Spanish: Rutherfordton para niños
