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CITY

Rusk

Texas · 5,568 residents (2025 est.) · 7.232 sq mi
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The short version

Rusk has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $53,438. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $157,400. Households here earn about 32% less than the Texas median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 58%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,477
+8%since 2000
from 5,085 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
757 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 703 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.0
+3%since 2000
from 37.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:5,568 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K5K5K5K6K1990201020202024Rusk
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$53,438
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,370 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$15,658
+34%since 2000
from $11,688 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
37.4%
+24.4 ptssince 2009
from 13.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
8.5%
−13.0 ptssince 2000
from 21.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.381
−1%since 2010
from 0.384 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information13.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade10.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade7.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance7.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical7.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services3.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$157,400
+58%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $54,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$643
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $413 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
63.9%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 61.8% in 2000
36.1% rent
Vacancy rate
15.7%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 18.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
20.0%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 22.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
10.1%
−24.8 ptssince 2009
from 34.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.9
+47%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
54
RELATED:See current rent listings in Rusk on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic61.4%(3,121)
Black30%(1,524)
Hispanic / Latino6.9%(352)
Asian1%(49)
Other0%
Diversity Score65.2%(3,313)
2024
White, non-Hispanic48.5%(2,657)
Black28.6%(1,564)
Hispanic / Latino17.1%(938)
Asian0.8%(45)
Other5%(273)
Diversity Score81.4%(4,459)
Diversity Score
81
+25%since 2000
from 65 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.7%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 8.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
71.4%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 67.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.3%
−1.4 ptssince 2000
from 3.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.7 min
+53%since 2000
from 17.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
64.5%
−9.7 ptssince 2009
from 74.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.0%
−10.6 ptssince 2009
from 23.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
21.7%
+21.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.9%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
9.0%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
11.4%
+6.5 ptssince 2011
from 4.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
24.9%
−8.0 ptssince 2011
from 32.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.3%
−16.8 ptssince 2009
from 29.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
34.0%
−31.5 ptssince 2009
from 65.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
70.5%
+11.1 ptssince 2009
from 59.5% in 2009
Female
29.5%
−11.1 ptssince 2009
from 40.5% in 2009
Foreign born
4.4%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.7%
−54.8 ptssince 2009
from 59.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.4%
−1.1 ptssince 2012
from 14.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
15.9%
−57.5 ptssince 2013
from 73.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
74.7%
+4.6 ptssince 2017
from 70.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
84.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2016
from 84.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
15.1%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 15.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Rusk, Texas?

Rusk, Texas has about 5,477 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Rusk, Texas?

The typical household in Rusk, Texas earns about $53,438 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Rusk, Texas expensive?

In Rusk, Texas, the median home is worth about $157,400, and the typical rent is about $643 a month.

How educated are people in Rusk, Texas?

About 10.7% of adults age 25 and over in Rusk, Texas hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Rusk, Texas?

About 8.5% of people in Rusk, Texas live below the federal poverty line.

Has Rusk, Texas grown since 1990?

Yes, Rusk, Texas has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,111 residents, a change of about 25 percent over that period.

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

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