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zipcodes.pro — STATE/NC/COUNTY/RUTHERFORD

Rutherford County, NC ZIP codes

There are 12 ZIP codes in Rutherford County, NC, in 12 towns, from 28018 to 28746. The largest are 28043 (Forest City), 28139 (Rutherfordton) and 28040 (Ellenboro). 1 more crosses into it from a neighbouring county: 28114.

The county seat is Rutherfordton.

ZIP codes
12
Partly in it
1 more
Towns
12
County seat
Rutherfordton
County FIPS
37161
Population
64,930
Median household income
$51,410
Land area
565 sq mi
Area code
828
Metro area
Forest City

Rutherford County ZIP codes by town

Rutherfordton (county seat)
28139

Each ZIP code is listed under the county most of its land lies in and the town the Postal Service names it for; a ZIP code's own page shows exactly how it is split.

ZIP codes partly in Rutherford County

This ZIP code lies mostly in a neighbouring county but covers a twentieth or more of Rutherford County.

Map of Rutherford County ZIP codes

280182801928024280402804328074280762813928160281672872028746

The ZIP codes of Rutherford County, shaded. Outlines are Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (2020), which approximate the mail routes; PO-box and single-address codes have no area and are not drawn. Click any area to open its ZIP code.

Rutherford County in numbers

About 64,930 people live in Rutherford County, in 26,642 households, the 43rd most populous of North Carolina's 100 counties. The median household income is $51,410 a year, 29% below the North Carolina median of $72,388 (US: $80,734). The median owner-occupied home is valued at $201,800 (30% below the North Carolina median), and median gross rent is $783 a month. The median age is 45.3; 21.5% of adults 25 and over hold a bachelor's degree or higher (35.7% across North Carolina); the average commute takes 26 minutes.

Population64,930Rutherford64,930
Households26,642Rutherford26,642
Median age45.3Rutherford45.3North Carolina39.1US 38.9
Median household income$51,410Rutherford$51,410North Carolina$72,388US $80,734
Median home value$201,800Rutherford$201,800North Carolina$288,900US $332,700
Median gross rent$783Rutherford$783North Carolina$1,228US $1,413
Bachelor's degree or higher21.5%Rutherford21.5%North Carolina35.7%US 35.7%
Mean commute26.1 minRutherford26.1 minNorth Carolina25.1 minUS 26.4 min
Population density115 / sq miRutherford115 / sq mi

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates. Survey estimates carry margins of error, wider for small places. Sources and methods.

Largest towns in Rutherford County

Largest towns in Rutherford County
TownZIP codesPopulation
Forest City 1 7,363
Spindale 1 4,131
Rutherfordton 1 3,680
Union Mills 1 2,253
Lake Lure 1 1,543
Ellenboro 1 901
Cliffside 1 438
Bostic 1 433
Henrietta 1 197
Chimney Rock 1 138
Caroleen 1 116
Harris 1 15

Population of the census place of that name where there is one, otherwise of the ZIP codes the Postal Service addresses by it. A town's ZIP codes can reach past the county line.

Neighbouring counties

Counties that share a ZIP code with Rutherford County.

Not sure you are in Rutherford County? What county am I in? answers from your location, near a county line included.

Every ZIP code in Rutherford County, with figures

ZIP codes in Rutherford County
ZIP City Type Population Median income Median home
28018 Bostic , NC Standard 5,034 $50,727 $169,200
28019 Caroleen , NC Standard 0 — —
28024 Cliffside , NC Standard 31 — —
28040 Ellenboro , NC Standard 6,961 $58,816 $169,500
28043 Forest City , NC Standard 20,930 $42,276 $175,400
28074 Harris , NC Standard 15 — —
28076 Henrietta , NC Standard 105 — —
28139 Rutherfordton , NC Standard 20,008 $56,558 $240,200
28160 Spindale , NC Standard 3,665 $40,868 $164,000
28167 Union Mills , NC Standard 2,253 $59,732 $234,500
28720 Chimney Rock , NC Standard 138 $63,438 $445,500
28746 Lake Lure , NC Standard 2,744 $70,469 $470,700

Cite this page

zipcodes.pro. “Rutherford County ZIP codes.” Data release 2026-10-12. Retrieved 2026-10-20. https://zipcodes.pro/state/nc/county/rutherford

Underlying data is public domain or openly licensed — sources, vintages and licences.