I would characterize most Rudbeckias as short-time perennials best treated as annuals. Most have the ability to return in following years but, in my experience, seldom do. The reason for that here is climate variability. If you live in an area that is subject to freezes and thaws some plants are very susceptible to heaving, Rudbeckia is such a plant. Root exposure to the elements can cause a plant's demise.
That said, it should be noted that a couple varieties of Rudbeckia can be viewed as perennial border essentials as they reliably return (and usually expand) year after year. Prime example of the reliable kind is Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm'. Another is R. nitida 'Herbstsonne'.
Rudbeckia hirta are the non-reliable species. However, R. hirta do self-seed easily. Different varieties of R. hirta can easily cross which may manifest in subsequent season's display unique characteristics from both cultivars in the same plant. The pics I submitted above in this thread are examples of self-seeded crosses.
