| City | Rank | 2026 Pop. ↓ | 2020 Pop. | Annual Change | Density (/mi²) | Area (mi²) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest City | 1 | 7,419 | 7,355 | 0.12% | 866 | 9 | Town |
| Spindale | 2 | 4,201 | 4,091 | 0.5% | 777 | 5 | Town |
| Rutherfordton | 3 | 3,736 | 3,662 | 0.35% | 902 | 4 | Town |
| Lake Lure | 4 | 1,396 | 1,369 | 0.36% | 106 | 13 | Town |
| Ellenboro | 5 | 741 | 723 | 0.41% | 586 | 1 | Town |
| Bostic | 6 | 360 | 354 | 0.28% | 386 | 1 | Town |
Forest City is the largest city in Rutherford County, with a population of 7,419.
Bostic is the smallest city in Rutherford County, with a population of 360.
There are 6 cities in Rutherford County, North Carolina.