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CITY · 2020 ACS

Ruston

Louisiana · 22,166 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 $32,295. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $169,900. At a median age of 25.0, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 38.8% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 36% less than the Louisiana median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 25.0
US median: 38.8
More educated
41% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 41%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
22,166
+8%since 2000
from 20,546 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,046 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 970 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
25.0
+4%since 2000
from 24.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
20K20K21K22K23K1990201020202024Ruston
202422K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$32,295
−7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $23,001 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,309
+32%since 2000
from $14,573 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
19.0%
+3.5 ptssince 2009
from 15.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
38.8%
+6.7 ptssince 2000
from 32.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade6.8%
US avg: 10%
Other services5%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration4.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance2.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical2.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade2.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.2%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$169,900
+41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $79,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$745
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $443 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
36.3%
−10.2 ptssince 2000
from 46.5% in 2000
63.7% rent
Afford Score
5.3
+51%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic50.5%(11,201)
Black40%(8,867)
Hispanic / Latino3.4%(763)
Asian2.5%(551)
Other1.9%(431)
Diversity Score71.1%(15,761)
Diversity Score
71
+9%since 2000
from 65 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
41.1%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 39.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
91.9%
+7.8 ptssince 2000
from 84.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
15.3%
−5.2 ptssince 2000
from 20.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.8 min
+13%since 2000
from 12.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
81.8%
+5.1 ptssince 2009
from 76.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
13.9%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 12.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.4%
−7.6 ptssince 2011
from 12.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
58.9%
−0.4 ptssince 2011
from 59.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
34.1%
−33.8 ptssince 2009
from 67.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.1%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.2% in 2009
Female
50.9%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
Foreign born
4.3%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
8.3%
−74.5 ptssince 2013
from 82.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Ruston

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Pop 16,177
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Pop 10,872
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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+124%
Home value$219,200+29%
Population13,308−41%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RUSTON VS
West Monroe
Income$49,386+53%
Home value$192,400+13%
Population12,478−44%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RUSTON VS
Monroe
Income$40,505+25%
Home value$198,900+17%
Population46,860+109%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RUSTON VS
Minden
Income$34,294+6%
Home value$130,200−23%
Population11,103−50%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Ruston, Louisiana?

Ruston, Louisiana has about 22,166 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ruston, Louisiana?

The typical household in Ruston, Louisiana earns about $32,295 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 $169,900, and the typical rent is about $745 a month.

How educated are people in Ruston, Louisiana?

About 41.1% 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 38.8% 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 2,139 residents, a change of about 11 percent over that period.

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

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