At the September 2 Town Council meeting, we shared an update on the housing work happening across Rutherfordton. This was an opportunity to bring several years of work together in one place and show Council and the community where we are today. The presentation covered our housing data, neighborhood redevelopment work, new construction and the partnerships helping us move these projects forward. It also explained why this work matters to the people who already call Rutherfordton home.
Why we put this update together
The Rutherford County Housing Study was presented to the County Commissioners in December 2025, and we were glad to see housing receiving countywide attention. As we reviewed the study, however, we realized that much of the work already underway in Rutherfordton was not included. Many of the study’s recommendations were things the Town, our Redevelopment Commission and our partners had already been working on for several years. We asked the Foothills Regional Commission to prepare a Rutherfordton-specific addendum so that work could be documented. The September 2 presentation gave us a chance to share the addendum and tell the fuller story.
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What the numbers are showing
Rutherfordton’s estimated population was approximately 3,680 in 2024, which represents a small increase since 2020. A recent housing market analysis projects the Town’s population could grow approximately 7.8% between 2020 and 2028. We are also seeing increases in Town sewer and sanitation accounts, which is another sign that new households are being added. These different sources do not produce exactly the same numbers, but they all show a similar trend toward growth.
The strongest projected population growth is among adults ages 20 to 44 and residents age 65 and older. That tells us we need housing for working adults as well as smaller and more accessible options for seniors. At the same time, nearly 78% of the homes included in the market study were built between 1939 and 1999. We need to create new housing, but we also need to take care of the homes and neighborhoods we already have.
How this work started
Town Council established the Rutherfordton Redevelopment Commission in 2021 to focus on declining properties, urgent home repairs and neighborhood reinvestment. In 2022, the Town hired Bowen National Research to complete a Housing Needs Assessment. That work showed some of the greatest needs were within the Fairview and New Hope neighborhoods. The Town adopted a redevelopment plan in 2023 and began putting that plan into action.
None of this work could happen without strong partnerships. Rutherford Housing Partnership, Habitat for Humanity, Mountain Housing Opportunities, Gateway Wellness Foundation, Isothermal Community College, Foothills Regional Commission and Dogwood Health Trust have all played important roles. Private builders and developers are also investing in new homes and the reuse of older buildings. Housing takes time, funding and cooperation, so these partnerships are important to every part of the work.
Repairing homes and reclaiming property
Since 2023, the Town and Rutherford Housing Partnership have completed 58 urgent home-repair projects. The Town used $250,000 in grant funding, while Rutherford Housing Partnership leveraged another $82,500, for a total investment of $332,500. The work has included roofs, windows, doors, plumbing, electrical systems, heating and air-conditioning repairs, bathrooms, kitchens, ramps and decks. These are practical improvements that allow people to remain safely in their homes.
The Town has also acquired approximately 10 properties totaling 12.8 acres in the redevelopment area. When we acquire a property, we first determine whether the existing home can be saved. If the home is beyond repair, the structure is removed and the property is prepared for new housing. No residents have been displaced through this work because these efforts have focused on vacant, abandoned and severely deteriorated properties.
More housing is on the way
The September presentation identified approximately 151 housing units that have recently been completed, are under construction or are being planned. Around 83 of those units are connected to public or nonprofit efforts, while approximately 68 are connected to private development. This does not mean 151 homes are ready today, but it shows the amount of work moving through the pipeline. For a town with approximately 1,700 existing housing units, that is a meaningful level of activity.
Projects include Creekwood Meadows, Habitat for Humanity homes and duplexes, Cowan Lofts, new homes near North Mitchell Street and apartments along Court and First streets. We are also seeing older buildings adapted for apartments and new interest in accessory dwelling units. Mountain Housing Opportunities continues working toward a proposed 38-unit development, and additional housing opportunities are being explored at the former R-S Middle School campus. Together, these projects provide a better mix of single-family homes, apartments, duplexes and townhomes.
Who are we trying to help?
A lot of the people who need housing are already part of this community. They are teachers, police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, healthcare workers, government employees, restaurant workers and retail employees. They may be young adults ready to leave their parents’ home, families looking for a safe place they can afford or seniors who want to remain close to their children and grandchildren. Our goal is to give those residents more opportunities to stay in Rutherfordton.
During the Council presentation, we shared the story of a young local couple who had been living in a parent’s basement because they could not find a suitable home. They wanted to stay in Rutherford County but were considering moving to a larger area because housing was so limited. A home at Creekwood Meadows allowed them to remain here. Stories like that are why this work matters beyond the numbers in a report.
Making development easier to understand
The Town recently completed a five-year update of the Rutherfordton Development Ordinance. The changes provide clearer options for neighborhood infill, accessory dwelling units, manufactured housing and residential development on appropriately sized lots. We want builders and property owners to understand the Town’s requirements before they invest time and money in a project. Clear rules and predictable review times help encourage responsible development while still protecting established neighborhoods.
More than houses
Our redevelopment work has never been limited to removing old buildings or constructing new ones. Improvements to Fairview Park, infrastructure and other neighborhood features are also part of creating places where people want to live. Dogwood Health Trust has invested more than $1 million in Rutherfordton’s housing and redevelopment work, allowing many of these efforts to move forward without relying primarily on Town property-tax dollars. The work is about improving the neighborhood as a whole and helping residents feel connected to their community.
Where we go from here
We have made real progress, but there is still a great deal of work ahead. Housing projects do not happen quickly, and each one involves property, infrastructure, financing, permits and willing partners. The Town will continue repairing existing homes, preparing abandoned properties for new use and working with nonprofit and private developers. We will also continue looking for housing options that serve working families, young adults and seniors.
The September 2 presentation allowed us to step back and look at everything that has happened over the last several years. Rutherfordton is no longer just studying its housing needs—we are seeing homes repaired, new units built and neighborhoods strengthened. That progress belongs to our residents, Town boards, community partners and everyone who has supported this work. Our job now is to keep it moving.
