Ruston, Louisiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ruston, Louisiana had a total population of 22,284, the 20th largest city in Louisiana, with a median household income of $31,120, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 39.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (39.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 40.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Louisiana.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 7.2x the median household income.
Ruston Quick Facts
How Ruston Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,224 | 22,284 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $32,765 | $31,120 | -5.0% |
| Median home value | $226,700 | $225,300 | -0.6% |
How Ruston Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 59 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ruston Rankings in Louisiana
Explore Louisiana Rankings
Other Cities in Lincoln Parish
Cities Similar to Ruston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hammond | 21,539 | $48,166 | $221,400 | 27.7% | 28.9% |
| Harvey | 20,915 | $48,774 | $200,100 | 19.1% | 25.8% |
| Chalmette | 22,616 | $54,904 | $214,700 | 13.6% | 24.9% |
| Natchitoches | 17,577 | $37,133 | $193,200 | 30.3% | 35.9% |
| Terrytown | 24,726 | $51,718 | $220,300 | 21.9% | 19.2% |
Population Overview
Ruston is a small city located in Louisiana, within Lincoln Parish. The total population is 22,284. It ranks as the 20th most populous out of 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ruston is 24.3 years. This is 36% lower than the state median of 38.0 years. Only 14.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ruston is $31,120. This is 49% lower than the state median of $60,756. It is also 61% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 39.8%. This is 110% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $225,300. Housing costs are 4% higher than the state median of $216,500. The home-value-to-income ratio of 7.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 36.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 46% lower than the state average of 67.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ruston is White (non-Hispanic), making up 47.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 43.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 7.2%.
Education
40.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Ruston in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 48% higher than the state rate of 27.0%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.9%. Notably, 16.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ruston, Louisiana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Louisiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 488 Census-designated places in Louisiana. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ruston, Louisiana?
Ruston, Louisiana has a population of 22,284 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ruston, LA?
The median household income in Ruston is $31,120, which is 61% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ruston, LA?
The poverty rate in Ruston is 39.8%. This means approximately 7,888 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ruston, Louisiana?
Ruston's population is 47.2% White, 43.2% Black, 1.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ruston, LA?
The median home value in Ruston is $225,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 7.2x.
How educated is Ruston, Louisiana?
40.2% of adults (25+) in Ruston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.