6 cities
| City | Rank | 2026 Pop. ↓ | 2020 Pop. | Annual Change | Density | Area (mi²) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest City | 1 | 7,412 | 7,367 | 0.11% | 865 | 9 | Town |
| Spindale | 2 | 4,207 | 4,089 | 0.48% | 778 | 5 | Town |
| Rutherfordton | 3 | 3,746 | 3,661 | 0.38% | 904 | 4 | Town |
| Lake Lure | 4 | 1,401 | 1,367 | 0.43% | 106 | 13 | Town |
| Ellenboro | 5 | 748 | 727 | 0.54% | 591 | 1 | Town |
| Bostic | 6 | 365 | 355 | 0.55% | 391 | 1 | Town |
Forest City is the largest city in Rutherford County, with a population of 7,412.
Bostic is the smallest city in Rutherford County, with a population of 365.
There are 6 cities in Rutherford County, North Carolina.