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CITY · 2010 ACS

Ruston

Louisiana · 21,859 residents · 21.188 sq mi
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The short version

Ruston has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $31,757. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 28%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $134,400. At a median age of 24.7, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. Households here earn about 27% less than the Louisiana median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Younger
median age 24.7
US median: 37.2
More educated
41% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 33%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
21,859
+6%since 2000
from 20,546 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,032 / sq mi
+6%since 2000
from 970 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
24.7
+3%since 2000
from 24.0 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
20K20K21K22K23K1990201020202024Ruston
202422K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$31,757
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $23,001 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,091
+24%since 2000
from $14,573 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
17.2%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 15.6% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
32.4%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 32.1% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.544
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information10.5%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade8.1%
US avg: 10.9%
Other services5.5%
US avg: 7%
Public administration4.9%
US avg: 4.9%
Finance & insurance3.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade3.6%
US avg: 7.2%
Professional, scientific, technical2.7%
US avg: 4.2%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 3.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction1.2%
US avg: 1.4%
Education & health services1.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 2.4%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$134,400
+33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $79,900 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$643
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $443 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
23.9%
−22.6 ptssince 2000
from 46.5% in 2000
59.7% rent
Vacancy rate
17.0%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
23.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 22.0% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
55.2%
−7.1 ptssince 2009
from 62.3% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
4.2
+22%since 2000
from 3.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ruston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic56.4%(11,591)
Black38.7%(7,951)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(266)
Asian2.4%(492)
Other0%
Diversity Score65%(13,350)
2010
White, non-Hispanic51.3%(11,210)
Black41.9%(9,152)
Hispanic / Latino2.3%(512)
Asian3.1%(687)
Other1.1%(237)
Diversity Score69.7%(15,235)
Diversity Score
70
+7%since 2000
from 65 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
41.0%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 39.6% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
86.1%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 84.1% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
16.9%
−3.6 ptssince 2000
from 20.6% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.1 min
+24%since 2000
from 12.3 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
74.3%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 76.7% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
14.7%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.9%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
6.5%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 6.5% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.1%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
13.5%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 12.8% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
24.9%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 22.7% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
37.9%
−30.0 ptssince 2009
from 67.9% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.1%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
Female
52.9%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
Foreign born
4.7%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
6.3%
−41.6 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Ruston

Opa-locka
Pop 16,177
Palatka
Pop 10,872
Bayonet Point
Pop 23,822
Brownsville
Pop 16,936
Places similar to Ruston
Head to head

Compare Ruston to nearby cities

RUSTON VS
Claiborne
Income$72,420+128%
Home value$219,200+63%
Population13,308−41%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RUSTON VS
West Monroe
Income$49,386+56%
Home value$192,400+43%
Population12,478−44%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RUSTON VS
Monroe
Income$40,505+28%
Home value$198,900+48%
Population46,860+109%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RUSTON VS
Minden
Income$34,294+8%
Home value$130,200−3%
Population11,103−50%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Ruston, Louisiana?

Ruston, Louisiana has about 21,859 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ruston, Louisiana?

The typical household in Ruston, Louisiana earns about $31,757 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ruston, Louisiana expensive?

In Ruston, Louisiana, the median home is worth about $134,400, and the typical rent is about $643 a month.

How educated are people in Ruston, Louisiana?

About 41.0% of adults age 25 and over in Ruston, Louisiana hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ruston, Louisiana?

About 32.4% of people in Ruston, Louisiana live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ruston, Louisiana grown since 1990?

Yes, Ruston, Louisiana has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,832 residents, a change of about 9 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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