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NC Regular Public School District 18 Schools

Rutherford County Schools

Forest City, NC 28043 • Rutherford County • 18 Operating Schools
(828) 288-2200
Official Website

Community Population & Income Overview

Census 2023 • SAIPE 2024
Total Population
64,850
9,897 school-age (5-17)
Median Household Income
$49,771
Overall Poverty Rate
17.60%
11,196 people in poverty
Child Poverty Rate
19.00%
1,846 children in poverty

School-Age Child Poverty Trends (5-Year History)

Annual Census SAIPE estimates for school district children aged 5–17 in poverty

SAIPE 2020–2024
0% 8.3% 16.5% 24.8% 33% U.S. Baseline: 14.67% NC Avg: 15.62% 2020 Poverty Rate: 24.1% (2,440 / 10,124 kids) 24.1% 2020 2,440 kids 2021 Poverty Rate: 26.15% (2,568 / 9,822 kids) 26.15% 2021 2,568 kids 2022 Poverty Rate: 20.25% (1,964 / 9,697 kids) 20.25% 2022 1,964 kids 2023 Poverty Rate: 19.34% (1,896 / 9,804 kids) 19.34% 2023 1,896 kids 2024 Poverty Rate: 19% (1,846 / 9,715 kids) 19% 2024 1,846 kids
Census Vintage School-Age Children (5–17) Children in Poverty District Poverty Rate State Benchmark National Benchmark
2020 10,124 2,440 24.10% 16.61% 14.57%
2021 9,822 2,568 26.15% 16.85% 15.78%
2022 9,697 1,964 20.25% 16.18% 15.17%
2023 9,804 1,896 19.34% 16.64% 14.98%
2024 9,715 1,846 19.00% 15.62% 14.67%

Housing & Real Estate Context

Census 2023
Median Home Value $180,800
Median Gross Rent $748/mo
Owner-Occupied 19,699
Renter-Occupied 6,890
Owner-Occupied: 19,699 (74.1%) Renter-Occupied: 6,890 (25.9%)
Occupied 26,589

Housing Tenure Distribution

Ratio of owner-occupied vs. renter-occupied residential households

Owner-Occupied 19,699 (74.1%)
Renter-Occupied 6,890 (25.9%)

Household Income Distribution (16 Brackets)

Census 2023 • Total: 26,589 households
1,271 (4.8%)
< $10k
1,740 (6.5%)
$10k-$14k
1,507 (5.7%)
$15k-$19k
1,415 (5.3%)
$20k-$24k
1,740 (6.5%)
$25k-$29k
1,494 (5.6%)
$30k-$34k
1,680 (6.3%)
$35k-$39k
1,249 (4.7%)
$40k-$44k
1,261 (4.7%)
$45k-$49k
2,043 (7.7%)
$50k-$59k
2,691 (10.1%)
$60k-$74k
3,382 (12.7%)
$75k-$99k
1,779 (6.7%)
$100k-$124k
1,339 (5%)
$125k-$149k
959 (3.6%)
$150k-$199k
1,039 (3.9%)
$200k+
< $10k
1,271 (4.8%)
$10k-$14k
1,740 (6.5%)
$15k-$19k
1,507 (5.7%)
$20k-$24k
1,415 (5.3%)
$25k-$29k
1,740 (6.5%)
$30k-$34k
1,494 (5.6%)
$35k-$39k
1,680 (6.3%)
$40k-$44k
1,249 (4.7%)
$45k-$49k
1,261 (4.7%)
$50k-$59k
2,043 (7.7%)
$60k-$74k
2,691 (10.1%)
$75k-$99k
3,382 (12.7%)
$100k-$124k
1,779 (6.7%)
$125k-$149k
1,339 (5%)
$150k-$199k
959 (3.6%)
$200k+
1,039 (3.9%)

School-Age Grade Population Distribution

Census 2023 • Total: 8,835 students
809 (9.2%)
1st
798 (9%)
2nd
829 (9.4%)
3rd
744 (8.4%)
4th
677 (7.7%)
5th
707 (8%)
6th
650 (7.4%)
7th
700 (7.9%)
8th
496 (5.6%)
9th
1,096 (12.4%)
10th
790 (8.9%)
11th
539 (6.1%)
12th
1st Grade
809 (9.2%)
2nd Grade
798 (9%)
3rd Grade
829 (9.4%)
4th Grade
744 (8.4%)
5th Grade
677 (7.7%)
6th Grade
707 (8%)
7th Grade
650 (7.4%)
8th Grade
700 (7.9%)
9th Grade
496 (5.6%)
10th Grade
1,096 (12.4%)
11th Grade
790 (8.9%)
12th Grade
539 (6.1%)