County record · fips 37161 · North Carolina
RutherfordNC
Republican ×12 since 1980all 40 elections, 1868–2024
The Long Record
40 elections against the North Carolina and national vote
2024 result
R+48.1
won by Republicans
Record since first cycle
20–20
Dem–Rep two-party wins
Voted with the winner
25/40
63% of its elections
Closest election
1888
D+0.3
this countyNorth Carolinanational (official)dot colour = two-party winner · hollow = tie or unknown total · click a dot to open that election
The Biggest Swings
Cycle-over-cycle change in the two-party margin, in points
| Election | Swing | Toward |
|---|---|---|
| 1912 | +87.1 pts | Democrats |
| 1916 | -79.4 pts | Republicans |
| 1976 | +60.7 pts | Democrats |
| 1876 | +46.9 pts | Democrats |
| 1932 | +46.7 pts | Democrats |
Who Lives Here
Census & ACS county profile, 2024
Population
64,930
College (BA+)
21%
Median income
$51,410
2024 dollars
Non-white
19%
Rural
68%
Age 65+
22%
Interpolated between Census/ACS anchors; income CPI-deflated to 2024. Demographics begin in 2000 — earlier cycles have returns only.
Neighbouring counties
Buncombe, NC · Burke, NC · Cleveland, NC · Henderson, NC · McDowell, NC · Polk, NC · Cherokee, SC · Spartanburg, SC