2019 · Ruth-Thermal-Belt-Rail-Trail-nc · Wikimedia Commons
Ruth’s story
Ruth in pictures
3 postcards, papers and photographs from public archives.
RuthNC
A town of 510. A regional job hub with 371 jobs.
1 bordering townMap →
Photo: Brian Stansberry (photographer) · CC BY 4.0
Population
510
residents
Typical home
$183K
+1.1% in a year
Household income
$51K
median
Median age
35.0
years
Jobs based here
371
A job hub
What makes Ruth stand out
The 2 things Ruth does most differently from other towns.
Small town
510 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Nearby towns
RutherfordtonRuth
Ruth’s report card
Now in Ruth
Be the first to start the conversation.
Start a conversation
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Ruth. Another town gets a different order.
Work & commute
Most working residents commute out of Ruth
Most working residents leave Ruth for work: only 3% work in town. The top destinations are Forest City (16%), Rutherfordton (13%) and Charlotte (6%). Half commute less than 13 miles.
3%work in town
Where working residents work
In Ruth3%
Forest City16%
Rutherfordton13%
Charlotte6%
Spindale5%
13 mi
median commute distance
371
jobs based in Ruth
A job hub
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2023 · ACSCommute map →
Housing
A typical Ruth home is worth about $183K
The typical Ruth home is worth about $183,000, up 1.1% in a year, 45% below the North Carolina typical home.
$183KZillow home value
Typical home value
Ruth$183K
North Carolina$335K
+1.1%
value change, 1 year
2
homes sold in May
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →
Natural hazards
Low risk, with inland flooding at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 22% of U.S. communities.
22risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingStrong windTornadoes
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMANatural hazards →
Climate
Mild winters, hot summers
Ruth has mild winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 90°, a January night drops to 30°, and about 5 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
5″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter31–54°
Spring46–72°
Summer65–88°
Fall48–72°
Oct 27
typical first frost
Apr 11
typical last frost
+1.0°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Full climate →
Health
How healthy Ruth is
Ruth beats the North Carolina average on 0 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 21.
32 measures vs. North Carolina
0 better11 too close to call21 worse
| What stands out | Ruth | NC |
|---|---|---|
| More adults with COPD | 12.9% | 7.1% |
| More smokers | 22.4% | 13.5% |
| More adults facing food insecurity | 24.3% | 15.2% |
Rutherford Regional Medical Center
1.7 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSAFull health report →
A job hub
Every workday, about 367 people come to Ruth for work
Where Ruth’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
371jobs based in Ruth
3%of working residents work in town
13 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About Ruth
Town in North Carolina, United States
Ruth is a town in Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 347 at the 2020 census.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Population
- 347
- Area
- 0.4 sq mi
- Elevation
- 1,027 ft
- Area code
- 828
More about Ruth
Still missing for Ruth:local news coverageupcoming events