1st Advantage MortgageRutherford County households have a median income of $85,470 and median rent of $1,502 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Tennessee license first.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Rutherford County
- Jobs and commutes in Rutherford County
- Household income in Rutherford County
- Rutherford County housing compared with Tennessee
- Towns and communities in Rutherford County
- Rutherford County and the counties next door
- Debt-to-income at Rutherford County's medians
- Rutherford County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- What the numbers mean for Rutherford County borrowers
- Checking a lender's license in Tennessee
- Steps before you apply in Rutherford County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Rutherford County
With an estimated 360,646 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Rutherford County ranks 5th of 95 in Tennessee for population. Land area is 619 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 582 per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 7 Census places inside Rutherford County, Murfreesboro leads by population with about 161,445; 4 of the 7 are incorporated.
Jobs and commutes in Rutherford County
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Rutherford County residents work in education and health care and 12% in manufacturing. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 21% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 15% work from home. 2.7% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Rutherford County | Gap to Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.4% | -1.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.1% | -0.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.7% | +0.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.4% | +0.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.4% | +0.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.5% | +0.3 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Household income in Rutherford County
Rutherford County households have a median income of $85,470 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 6th of 95 in Tennessee.
| Band | Rutherford County | Compared with Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 14.3% | -9.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.3% | +1.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 32.4% | +7.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 9.1% | +0.1 pts |
The spread is wide: 41% of Rutherford County households make $100,000 or more, and 14% make less than $35,000. Census counts 9.3% of Rutherford County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Tennessee. None of these numbers decides a Rutherford County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Rutherford County housing compared with Tennessee
A typical Rutherford County rental runs $1,502 a month including utilities, which is 26% above Tennessee. By the Census definition, 52% of Rutherford County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $382,600, or 4.5 years of median income. The ownership rate is 65%. Half the housing stock was built before 2001.
| Housing | Rutherford County | Tennessee statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,502/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $382,600 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 65% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 2.4% | 8.1% | n/a |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Towns and communities in Rutherford County
7 Census places fall mainly inside Rutherford County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 265,880 residents, leaving about 26% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $100,683 at the median in Christiana, $80,108 in Murfreesboro. Linked names have their own city guide; this page covers every other Rutherford County community.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murfreesboro | city | 161,445 | $80,108 | $1,481 | 1 mi |
| Smyrna | town | 56,692 | $81,926 | $1,461 | 11 mi |
| La Vergne | city | 40,243 | $81,313 | $1,805 | 15 mi |
| Christiana | CDP | 4,777 | $100,683 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Rockvale | CDP | 1,611 | $86,404 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Eagleville | city | 999 | $88,317 | $1,354 | 15 mi |
| Walterhill | CDP | 113 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Rutherford County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Rutherford County's, from 20 to 31 miles away. Williamson County leads the group on income ($135,594), Cannon County trails ($59,443), and Rutherford County out-earns 4 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rutherford County | - | $85,470 | $1,502/mo | 65% |
| Cannon County, TN | 20 mi | $59,443 | $908/mo | 78% |
| Wilson County, TN | 22 mi | $95,839 | $1,486/mo | 77% |
| Bedford County, TN | 23 mi | $67,225 | $1,051/mo | 72% |
| Williamson County, TN | 27 mi | $135,594 | $1,969/mo | 79% |
| Davidson County, TN | 30 mi | $77,853 | $1,582/mo | 53% |
| Coffee County, TN | 31 mi | $61,505 | $913/mo | 69% |
Debt-to-income at Rutherford County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Rutherford County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $7,122 gross per month ($85,470 / 12)
- 21% goes to median rent ($1,502)
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,062 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,561 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Rutherford County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 36% of the adult population. About 10% go without health insurance.
| Rutherford County | Tennessee | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.2 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 35.8% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.6% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.0% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.7% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 15.0% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.3% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.6% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Rutherford County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 21.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.3% |
| 60+ min | 9.9% |
What the numbers mean for Rutherford County borrowers
Based on the Rutherford County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Health costs. With 10% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Commuter costs. 21% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Strong incomes, long terms. 41% of Rutherford County households earn $100,000+. The risk is a term that outlasts the need.
- 52% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Checking a lender's license in Tennessee
Consumer lenders serving Rutherford County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Tennessee that is the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Tennessee guide.
Steps before you apply in Rutherford County
Quick steps for Rutherford County:
- Price the Rutherford County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Nearby and statewide guides
More local guides:
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Rutherford County household make?
About $85,470 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 23% above the Tennessee median.
How does Rutherford County rent compare with Tennessee?
$1,502 locally versus $1,189 for the state, 26% above.
I live in a small Rutherford County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne, Christiana, Rockvale and 2 more.
Are Rutherford County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Who regulates personal lenders for Rutherford County residents?
The Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions licenses consumer lenders in Tennessee; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.