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MICROPOLITAN AREA · 2020 ACS

Ruston Micro

Ruston, LA · 1 counties · 48,396 residents · 471.636 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 $36,496. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $152,400. At a median age of 29.9, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 30.5% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 29.9
US median: 38.8
Average education
35% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 40%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
48,396
+14%since 2000
from 42,509 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
103 / sq mi
+14%since 2000
from 90 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
29.9
+13%since 2000
from 26.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
41K43K45K47K49K1990201020202024Ruston
202448K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$36,496
−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,977 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,379
+56%since 2000
from $14,313 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
23.1%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 19.5% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
30.5%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 26.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information11.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade8.1%
US avg: 10%
Other services5.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration4.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance4.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Wholesale trade3.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical2.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Education & health services1.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Construction1.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing1.2%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.3%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$152,400
+40%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $72,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$733
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $436 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
55.4%
−4.6 ptssince 2000
from 60.0% in 2000
44.6% rent
Afford Score
4.2
+56%since 2000
from 2.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ruston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic56.9%(24,206)
Black39.6%(16,846)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(492)
Asian1.3%(538)
Other0%
Diversity Score63.6%(27,024)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic53%(25,672)
Black38.5%(18,626)
Hispanic / Latino3.6%(1,754)
Asian1.4%(682)
Other2%(974)
Diversity Score69.5%(33,638)
Segregation Score44.1%(21,350)
Diversity Score
70
+9%since 2000
from 64 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
44
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
35.2%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 31.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.8%
+8.4 ptssince 2000
from 80.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
14.3%
−1.1 ptssince 2000
from 15.3% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.5 min
+39%since 2000
from 13.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
84.3%
+5.9 ptssince 2009
from 78.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.8%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 10.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.7%
−6.2 ptssince 2011
from 10.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
55.6%
−3.6 ptssince 2011
from 59.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
36.1%
−29.1 ptssince 2009
from 65.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.0%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Female
51.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Foreign born
3.9%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
8.1%
−73.5 ptssince 2013
from 81.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
In this metro

Principal cities

RustonCENTRAL22,397
What's inside

1 component county

Lincoln ParishCENTRAL48,360
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Ruston

Greenville
Pop 40,446
McComb
Pop 52,640
Bogalusa
Pop 44,937
Kinston
Pop 55,837
Places similar to Ruston
Head to head

Compare Ruston side by side

RUSTON VS
Greenville
Income$42,165+16%
Home value$104,000−32%
Population40,446−16%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RUSTON VS
McComb
Income$45,132+24%
Home value$114,892−25%
Population52,640+9%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RUSTON VS
Bogalusa
Income$45,380+24%
Home value$155,700+2%
Population44,937−7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
RUSTON VS
Kinston
Income$45,143+24%
Home value$120,500−21%
Population55,837+15%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Ruston, LA?

Ruston, LA has about 48,396 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ruston, LA?

The typical household in Ruston, LA earns about $36,496 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ruston, LA expensive?

In Ruston, LA, the median home is worth about $152,400, and the typical rent is about $733 a month.

How educated are people in Ruston, LA?

About 35.2% of adults age 25 and over in Ruston, LA hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ruston, LA?

About 30.5% of people in Ruston, LA live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ruston, LA grown since 1990?

Yes, Ruston, LA has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6,651 residents, a change of about 16 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

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