6 cities
| City | Rank | 2025 Pop. ↓ | 2020 Pop. | Annual Change | Density | Area (mi²) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest City | 1 | 7,404 | 7,367 | 0.09% | 864 | 9 | Town |
| Spindale | 2 | 4,187 | 4,089 | 0.46% | 774 | 5 | Town |
| Rutherfordton | 3 | 3,732 | 3,661 | 0.38% | 901 | 4 | Town |
| Lake Lure | 4 | 1,395 | 1,367 | 0.36% | 106 | 13 | Town |
| Ellenboro | 5 | 744 | 727 | 0.4% | 588 | 1 | Town |
| Bostic | 6 | 363 | 355 | 0.28% | 389 | 1 | Town |
Forest City is the largest city in Rutherford County, with a population of 7,404.
Bostic is the smallest city in Rutherford County, with a population of 363.
There are 6 cities in Rutherford County, North Carolina.