Rutherford County Area Home Supply Charts

This page looks at a variety of Rutherford County North Carolina housing market data taken from the most recent 2021 American Community Survey census data. Housing units are structures such as a single family home, apartment community, mobile home park, public housing, etc. where a person or family live and live separately from other residents of the building. Figure 1 shows the total number of housing units for each city. Rutherford County depicts it has a Housing Units of 34,482 which is in the mid range of other counties in the metro area.

Figure 2 illustrates the housing density in the Rutherford County housing market as measured by housing units per square land mile (includes single family homes, apartments, etc.) Rutherford County depicts it has a Housing Density of 61.1 which is less than most other counties in the local area. The county with the highest housing density in the area is Henderson County which depicts a density of 156.0 (approximately 2.6 times bigger). Comparing housing density to the United States average of 39.2, Rutherford County is 56.0% larger. Also, measured against the state of North Carolina, housing density of 96.3, Rutherford County is approximately three-fourths the size.

In Figure 4, Rutherford County area change in the number of housing units and is a forward gauge (along with population change) for any potential housing shortage. Rutherford County shows it has a Housing Unit Change of 1.8% which is less than most other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest change in the housing units in the area is Henderson County which depicts a housing units of 6.4% (approximately 3.6 times bigger). Comparing change in the housing units to the United States average of 6.5%, Rutherford County is approximately a third the size. Also, compared to the state of North Carolina, change in the housing units of 8.3%, Rutherford County is approximately a fifth the size.

Figure 5 shows the percentage of rental property based on that they are occupied by renters as a percent of the total number of households in the community (including homes, apartments, etc.) Rutherford County depicts it has a Renter Percent of 28.4% which is the third most renter percent of all other counties in the greater Rutherford County region. Figure 6 illustrates the total number of housing units that are occupied by owners. it has a Owner Percent of 71.6% which is less than most other counties in the metro area.

Rutherford County Home Cost Charts

Looking at the housing data provided in Figure 7, the average Rutherford County home price is illustrated for this community and a useful analysis of affordable housing. Rutherford County shows it has a Median Home Value of $125,100 which is less than most other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest median home price in the area is Henderson County which indicates a home price of $232,000 (about twice as large). Figure 8 provides aggregate comparative data for the Rutherford County North Carolina metro area in terms of the median housing rental rate, apartment rent, etc. Rutherford County indicates it has a Median Gross Rent of $655 which is the second smallest as measured by rental rates of all the other counties in the metropolitan area. The county with the highest rental rates in the area is Henderson County which depicts a rental rates of $915 (39.7% larger). Comparing rental rates to the United States average of $1,096, Rutherford County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, compared to the state of North Carolina, rental rates of $932, Rutherford County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Figure 9 provides the frequency distribution of home prices for the area and is useful for understanding affordable housing fund. Rutherford County has one of the largest proportions of home price worth less than $50,000 at 25% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Burke County (27%), and #1 Cherokee County (30%) are larger. Second, it has the largest proportion of home price worth between $750,000 to $1,000,000 at 1% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of home price worth between $1,000,000 to $1,500,000 at 1% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the largest proportion of home price worth between $1,500,000 to $2,000,000 at 1% of the total and is ranked #1.

Median owner costs for the real estate market are shown in Figure 10 and include the costs associated with any mortgage, utility expenses, insurance, and other miscellaneous costs. Rutherford County depicts it has a Median Owner Cost of $512 which is the second smallest in terms of median ownership cost of all the other counties in the metro area. Figure 11 shows the median amount of cost as a percent of total household income for people who own homes in the Rutherford County metro area. it has a Owner Cost as % of HH Income of 14% which is the second smallest in terms of cost as a percent of household income of all the other counties in the metro area.

The next chart, Figure 12, provides a comparison chart of the median home cost as a percent of a median worker take home earnings and is thus a valuable measure of affordable housing. Rutherford County shows it has a Median Home Value as Percent of Median Earnings of 332% which is less than most other counties in the metro area.

Figure 14 depicts the median cost of housing for owners with also have a mortgages (versus those who do not have a mortgage because mortgage cost is included.) Rutherford County depicts it has a Median Owner Costs-With Mortgage of $977 which is the second smallest when sorted by median housing cost of all the other counties in the metro area. Figure 15 is a chart that shows the median housing costs for owners who do not have mortgages (and therefore the cost of home ownership does not include mortgage cost.) it has a Median Owner Costs-Without Mortgage of $310 which is less than most other counties in the greater region.

Figure 16 shows the distribution in total housing cost for owners of property (so not renters.) This cost includes mortgages, lines of credit interest, utilities, taxes, insurance, etc. Rutherford County has the largest proportion of owner cost between $300 and $500 at 14% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of owner cost between $700 and $1,000 at 13% of the total.

Next shown in Figure 17 is the housing cost as a percent of household income for people who own their homes and have a mortgages (thus the cost of financing the home is included.) Rutherford County depicts it has a % of Income Owner Costs-With Mortgage of 19% which is less than most other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest cost as a percent of household income in the area is Henderson County which shows a cost as a percent of household income of 20% (7.4% larger). Housing cost as a percent of household income for owners who do not have a mortgage is shown in Figure 18. This analysis can be useful for understanding the affordable housing for home ownership excluding any financing cost in the area shown. Rutherford County shows it has a % of Income Owner Costs-No Mortgage of 9% which is the third most cost as a percent of household income of all other counties in the greater Rutherford County region. The county with the highest cost as a percent of household income in the area is Polk County which depicts a cost as a percent of household income of 11% (20.0% larger).

Figure 19 looks at the cost of rent for rental property using the percent of total household income which is a valuable measure of financial health for the area. (The higher the proportion of rent payments to total household income is a sign of greater financial stress. Also, rent can be covered by rent assistance and rent assistance programs in the form of rent assistance.) Rutherford County has the largest proportion of rent as a percent of income is less than 10 pct at 24% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of rent as a percent of income is between 10pct to 20pct at 14% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of rent as a percent of income is between 40pct to 50pct at 22% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 20 shows the total housing cost for both home owners and apartment community renters in the area. Rutherford County has the largest proportion of housing cost between $300 and $500 at 20% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of housing cost between $700 and $1,000 at 12% of the total.

Figure 21 shows median amount of real estate taxes paid for home owners in the region. it has a Median Real Estate Taxes Paid of $862 which is less than most other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest median real estate taxes paid in the area is Henderson County which depicts a taxes paid of $1,353 (57.0% larger). Comparing median real estate taxes paid to the United States average of $2,551, Rutherford County is approximately a third the size. Also, in contrast to the state of North Carolina, median real estate taxes paid of $1,489, Rutherford County is approximately half the size.

Figure 23 shows the rental rate distribution for this area. Rutherford County North Carolina has one of the largest proportions of rent between 300 and 500 dollars at 42% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being McDowell County with 42%. Second, it has the smallest proportion of rent between 500 and 750 dollars at 20% of the total.

Rutherford County Home Financing Charts

The analysis in Figure 25 shows the detailed distribution of owned homes by mortgage status. Rutherford County has the smallest proportion of With mortgage at 40% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of No 2nd Mortgage or HELOC at 4% of the total. Third, it has the largest proportion of With HELOC no Primary Mortgage at 55% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 26 shows the proportion of houses with a mortgage versus those without a mortgage. Rutherford County has the largest proportion of houses with mortgages at 55% of the total and is ranked #1.

Rutherford County Home Characteristics Charts

Figure 28 shows the household size for families living in the area and it has a Family size of 3.0 which is in the center range of other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest family members per housing unit in the area is Cherokee County which shows a family members per housing unit of 4.0 (31.9% larger). Comparing family members per housing unit to the United States average of 3.3, Rutherford County is about 8.6% smaller. Also, in comparison with the state of North Carolina, family members per housing unit of 3.2, Rutherford County is only about 4.4% smaller.

Figure 29 show the median number of rooms in a typical home for each location in this area. it has a Median Number of Rooms of 5.6 which is the third most average number of rooms in a house of all other counties in the greater Rutherford County region. The county with the highest average number of rooms in a house in the area is Polk County which indicates an average number of rooms in a house of 5.7 ( only slightly larger). Figure 30 shows, for the average house in each location, the median year that a house was built. This can be useful for understanding the relative age of one neighborhood versus another for a real estate investor. it has a Median Year Built of 1979 which is less than most other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest year built in the area is Henderson County which shows a year built of 1988 ( about the same size).

Figure 31 looks at the distribution of housing units by the median age that the homes were built. has the smallest proportion of homes built in 2014 or later at 1% of the total. Second, it has less than most other counties in the greater region when sorted by homes built between 2010 to 2013 at 14% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of homes built between 1990 to 1999 at 13% of the total. Also, it has the largest proportion of homes built between 1960 to 1969 at 10% of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has the largest proportion of homes built between 1950 to 1959 at 7% of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 32 shows the difference in the number of housing units based on whether they are occupied by owners versus occupied by renters. has the percentage of owner housing units in the mid point range of other counties in the area at 7,811 of the total.

Figure 34 shows the median value of homes broken down by the median year that the homes were built. has the smallest proportion of value of homes built 2014 or later at $118,100 of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of value of homes built 2010 to 2013 at $206,300 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Henderson County ($262,800), and #1 Polk County ($295,600) are larger. Third, it has in the middle range of other counties in the local area in terms of value of homes built 2000 to 2009 at $123,300 of the total. Also, it has in the center range of other counties in the area when sorted by value of homes built 1990 to 1999 at $130,500 of the total. In addition, it has in the middle range of other counties in the local area as measured by value of homes built 1980 to 1989 at $141,200 of the total. Furthermore, it has in the mid range of other counties in the local area in order of value of homes built 1970 to 1979 at $122,700 of the total. Next it has the second smallest in order of value of homes built 2014 or later of all the other counties in the greater region in order of value of homes built 1960 to 1969 at $73,100 of the total. Additionally, it has the second smallest in terms of value of homes built 2014 or later of all the other counties in the greater region as measured by value of homes built 1950 to 1959 at $84,600 of the total. And then, it has the smallest proportion of value of homes built 1940 to 1949 at $100,400 of the total.

The next two charts show both the average household size of homeowners versus the average household size of renters. Starting with Figure 36 we see the household size of homeowners for Rutherford County residents. it has a Owner-Household Size of 2.4 which is less than most other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest homeowner household size in the area is Cherokee County which depicts a homeowner household size of 2.8 (17.5% larger).

Figure 37 shows the household size for renters. Rutherford County indicates it has a Renter-Household Size of 2.3 which is in the intermediate range of other counties in the local area. The county with the highest renter household size in the area is Cleveland County which shows a renter household sizes of 2.7 (16.2% larger). Figure 38 shows the year that people who own homes moved into this region. it has one of the largest proportions of owners moved in 2019 or later at 18% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Henderson County with 22%. Figure 39 shows the year that people who rent moved into the area. Rutherford County has the largest proportion of renters moved in 2019 or later at 56% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the second smallest when sorted by renters moved in 2019 or later of all the other counties in the local area as measured by renters moved in 2015 to 2018 at 21% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of renters moved in 2010 to 2014 at 11% of the total.

Figure 40 compares the median year that home owners moved into their home. it has a Owner Median Year Moved In of 2002 which is in the mid point range of other counties in the metro area. Figure 41 compares the median year that renters moved into their home. Rutherford County shows it has a Renter Median Year Moved In of 2016 which is the highest of all counties in the greater Rutherford County region.

Figure 42 shows the frequency distribution of various types of energy sources used for homes in the community. it has one of the largest proportions of home using bottled, tank, or lp gas at 73% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Cherokee County with 73%. Second, it has the largest proportion of homes using kerosene or other fuel oils at 0% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next two charts show the number of people living in group quarters and includes temporary as well permanent housing which may be run by the Rutherford County housing department, North Carolina department, or other housing authority or public housing agency. beginning with Figure 43 which shows the total number of people. Rutherford County depicts it has a Total In Group Quarters of 1,210 which is in the mid range of other counties in the area.