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Rutherford County is located in the foothills of North Carolina approximately half way between Atlanta, Georgia and Washington, D.C.
- More than 50% of the U.S. population. is within 600 miles of Rutherford County
- Almost 60 percent of the country’s industrial manufacturing base is less than a two-day drive.
One of Rutherford County’s major attractions is its sense of small town community. Yet, some of the most dynamic business centers in the Southeast are close by.
| City MSA |
Population |
Distance |
| Charlotte, NC |
1,330,440 |
60 miles |
Winston-Salem/
Greensboro/High
Point, NC |
1,065,390 |
120 miles |
| Greenville/Spartanburg, SC |
818,700 |
35 miles |
| Knoxville, TN |
616,000 |
170 miles |
| Atlanta, GA |
4,251,000 |
200 Miles | 
General Characteristics:
Rutherford County is considered a rural county with abundant open space, natural forests, lakes and farm land. The county is composed of eight municipalities: Bostic, Chimney Rock, Ellenboro, Forest City, Rutherfordton, Ruth, Spindale and Lake Lure. The towns of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock are located approximately 20 miles west of Rutherfordton. Lake Lure is a private lake with public access that is enjoyed by thousands from spring until fall.
- Rutherford County is 563 sq. miles
- The county seat is Rutherfordton which is 2.6 sq. miles
- The City of Spindale is 4.62 sq. miles
- The City of Forest City is 10.6 sq. miles.
Elevation:
With a topography that varies nearly 3,000 feet in elevation, Rutherford County is enjoyably diverse in its terrain.
- Caroleen, 806 ft.
- Forest City, 860 ft.
- Spindale, 960 ft.
- Rutherfordton, 1075 ft.
- Sugar Loaf, 3,967 ft.
Climate:
The Blue Ridge Mountains to the north and Smokey Mountains to the west provide shelter from extreme weather conditions in winter, and offer cool mountain breezes in summer. This level moderation contributes to pleasant year-round living conditions.
- Average annual temperature: 59.9 F
- Annual maximum average: 67 F
- Annual minimum average: 44 F
- Average rainfall: 49.91 inches mainly in spring and fall
- Average humidity: 65%
- Average snowfall: 2.74 inches
- Located in the Isothermal Belt, there are 200 frost-free days in the growing season
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