Rutherford County, a mostly rural county of about 65,000 residents, is home to families who have loved their land for generations. It’s also growing as a popular spot for those looking to retire or invest in a second home. Development of luxury communities and resorts has increased across many of the county’s small towns in recent years, particularly around Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, contributing to the area’s economy.
At the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the area’s landscape includes rolling rivers and dramatic vistas. If you’re looking for a home in this beautiful place, here’s a quick guide to the many small towns in Rutherford County, NC.
Editor’s Note: Many areas throughout Rutherford County were adversely affected by Hurricane Helene in the fall of 2024. Before traveling to the area, check for updates to road closures and hiking trail access.
Bostic
The small town of Bostic, home to around 400 people and no red lights, was named after George T. Bostic, a prominent businessman in the community. The town is located along a railroad, and there is a Seaboard Coast Line caboose on display at the center of town.
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Chimney Rock
The expansive Hickory Nut Gorge, nestled between the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains, feels like a land unto itself. The Rocky Broad River, which ultimately flows into Lake Lure, splits the 14-mile mountain canyon in two. One of the four small townships in the gorge is Chimney Rock, NC. The crown jewel of the town is the 4,000-acre Chimney Rock State Park, home to a hulking granite monolith that the park is named after. Climb the stairs to the top of 315-foot-tall Chimney Rock (or take the elevator) and you will enjoy panoramic views to spots as far as 75 miles away. A system of trails around the rock offers myriad opportunities for outdoor adventures.
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Ellenboro
In 1880, the Seaboard Air Line Railroad built a line from Wilmington to Rutherfordton. The town of Ellenboro sprang up at the highest point (1,040 feet) along that line. Today, the small town is only 1.26 square miles in size, but maintains a rich history and community. Since 1928, the town has held a “free fair” and carnival each September, providing an opportunity for farmers and homemakers to display their best canned and baked goods, crops, and handicrafts of the year.
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Forest City
Formerly known as “Burnt Chimney,” Forest City is the most populous town in Rutherford County, with nearly 7,500 residents. The city has several museums, including the Bennett Classical Auto Museum, Carolina Arcade Museum, and Rutherford County Farm Museum. The Forest City Owls baseball team is a member of the Coastal Plain League, a collegiate summer league. The Owls were the 2009 CPL champions and were ranked as the #1 collegiate summer team in America in 2010. Locals and visitors alike enjoy the Thermal Belt Rail Trail, a bike and walking trail spanning 13.36 miles.
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Lake Lure
Waterfront mountain real estate is something that is rare indeed. With less than 1,400 permanent residents, Lake Lure’s population surges in summer and fall with small waves of tourists, second home owners, and water sports enthusiasts. The residents of Rumbling Bald Resort make up approximately half of the town’s population. If parts of Lake Lure look familiar to first-time visitors, it’s no surprise. The lake and much of the local waterfront mountain property were the prime shooting grounds for the 1987 romance “Dirty Dancing.” Outdoor activities in Lake Lure include water sports, scenic golf courses, fishing, hiking, motorcycle riding, and more.
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Ruth
The small town of Ruth, adjacent to Rutherfordton, measures only 0.42 square miles in size. At 355, the population hasn’t changed much over the past century. Known by locals as home to one of the prettiest little light displays during the holidays, Ruth may be little, but its impact on Rutherford County is big.
Rutherfordton
The town of Rutherfordton (pronounced by locals as “RUFF-tun”) was founded in 1787 to serve as the county seat, a position it still holds today. From 1790 until the West-coast gold rush of the 1840s, Rutherfordton was the center of the American gold industry. More recently, N.C. Rural Center voted it North Carolina’s Small Town of the Year. With the tagline “A Minted Original,” (calling back to its gold industry days) visitors can mint their own unique experience here by visiting charming shops that span generations and collecting vintage treasures. Don’t miss the town’s self-guided Art Mural Tour.
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Spindale
Throughout the 20th century, the appropriately named Spindale was known for its textile mills. Today, the town is an epicenter for local education and communication. Isothermal Community College, a two-year community college, is located here. It was named for its location in the thermal belt and is part of the North Carolina Community College system. WNCW, an NPR affiliate, broadcasts from Isothermal Community College at 88.7 FM and has the highest listener ratings among public radio stations in Western North Carolina. The station’s eclectic music mix and presence online also attracts listeners well beyond the reach of its coverage area.
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About Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County, NC, 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. Over the course of the late-18th and 19th centuries, the large county was broken up and new counties were formed around today’s Rutherford.
Now, in the 21st century, Rutherford County is home to more than 65,000 people who appreciate the land’s rolling rivers and dramatic mountain views. Many locals make their living off the land; it’s an important area for agriculture, mineral mining, and timber production. There is also a strong textile and construction materials manufacturing sector in the county. And Facebook operates a $450 million data center in Forest City.
Does that sound like the perfect lifestyle for you? Find homes and land for sale in Rutherford County, NC.
