Map of Rutherford County, North Carolina

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.

Rutherford County overview:
Name:	Rutherford County
FIPS code:	37-161
State:	North Carolina
Founded:	April 14, 1779
Named for:	Griffith Rutherford
Seat:	Rutherfordton
Largest town:	Forest City
Total Area:	566 sq mi (1,470 km²)
Land Area:	564 sq mi (1,460 km²)
Total Population:	64,444
Population Density:	110/sq mi (44/km²)
Time zone:	UTC−5 (Eastern)
Summer Time Zone (DST):	UTC−4 (EDT)
Website:	rutherfordcountync.gov

Rutherford County location map. Where is Rutherford County?

Rutherford County location on the U.S. Map. Where is Rutherford County. — Location of Rutherford County in the the United States.

Rutherford County location on the North Carolina map. Where is Rutherford County. — Location of Rutherford County in North Carolina.

History

The county was formed in 1779 from the western part of the former Tryon County. It was named for Griffith Rutherford, leader of an expedition against the Cherokee in 1776 and a general in the American Revolutionary War.

In 1791 parts of Rutherford County and Burke County were combined to form Buncombe County. In 1841 parts of Rutherford and Lincoln counties were combined to form Cleveland County. In 1842 additional parts of Rutherford and Burke counties were combined to form McDowell County. Finally, in 1855, parts of Rutherford and Henderson counties were combined to form Polk County.

Rutherford County Road Map

Rutherford CountyStreet Map. — Street map of Rutherford County, North Carolina. Source: OpenStreetMap (OSM)

Rutherford CountyMap — Rutherford Countypolitical map.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 566 square miles (1,470 km), of which 564 square miles (1,460 km) is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km) (0.3%) is water.

State and local protected areas

Bechtler Mint Site Historic Park
Bradley Nature Preserve at Alexander’s Ford (part)
Chimney Rock State Park (part)
Purple Martin Greenway Trail
South Mountains Game Lands (part)
South Mountains State Park (part)

Major water bodies

Broad River
Catheys Creek
Cedar Creek
Duncans Creek
Floyds Creek
Green River
Hills Creek
Hollands Creek
Lake Lure
McKinney Creek
Mountain Creek
North Fork First Broad Creek
Roberson Creek
Second Broad River

Adjacent counties

McDowell County – north
Burke County – northeast
Cleveland County – east
Cherokee County, South Carolina – south
Spartanburg County, South Carolina – south
Polk County – southwest
Henderson County – west
Buncombe County – northwest

Major highways

US 64
US 74
US 74A
US 74 Bus.
US 221
US 221A
NC 9
NC 108
NC 120
NC 226

Major infrastructure

Rutherford County Airport (KFQD)
Summey Airpark (8NC2), near Forest City