Ruston, Louisiana
Population, housing costs, incomes, jobs, commuting and climate in Ruston, compared with Louisiana and the U.S. using Census records and their margins of error.
Ruston city · Incorporated city · Census GEOID 2266655 · Louisiana directory
- Population · July 1, 2025
- 22,397 PEP Vintage 2025
- Change · 2024 to 2025
- +0.1% +32 residents
- Household income
- $31,120 ACS 2020–2024 · ±$1,970
- Home value
- $225,300 ACS 2020–2024 · ±$21,355
- Monthly gross rent
- $816 ACS 2020–2024 · ±$57
- Median age
- 24.3 years ACS 2020–2024 · ±1.1
Ruston is an incorporated city in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, part of the Ruston, LA micropolitan area. With 22,397 residents on July 1, 2025, it ranks 16th in Louisiana and 1,773rd nationally among Census places. Its population grew by 32 (0.1%) in the year to July 2025; since April 2020 it has grown 1.1%. Median gross rent in the 2020–2024 survey is $816 a month, 23.3% below the Louisiana median. Median household income is $31,120, 48.8% below the Louisiana median.
Detailed demographics → Housing and cost-of-living context →
What stands out in Ruston?
Compared with other Louisiana places, Ruston is most distinctive for a younger population, more renters and more college graduates. Each statement below uses reliable estimates only, and survey differences from the state exceed their combined 90% margin of error.
- Median age: 24.3 years, 13.7 years younger than the Louisiana median (38.0 years); lower than 99% of 277 Louisiana places with reliable estimates. Only 2 of 277 Louisiana places with reliable estimates are lower.
- Homeownership rate: 36.2%, 31.2 percentage points below the Louisiana rate (67.4%); lower than 96% of 285 Louisiana places with reliable estimates. Only 9 of 285 Louisiana places with reliable estimates are lower.
- Adults 25+ with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 40.2%, 13.1 percentage points above the Louisiana rate (27.0%); higher than 95% of 136 Louisiana places with reliable estimates. It ranks 7th of 136 in Louisiana.
- Commutes of 45 minutes or longer: 7.1%, 8.0 percentage points below the Louisiana rate (15.2%); lower than 93% of 108 Louisiana places with reliable estimates. Only 7 of 108 Louisiana places with reliable estimates are lower.
- Unemployment rate (civilian labor force): 3.4%, 2.9 percentage points below the Louisiana rate (6.3%); lower than 91% of 31 Louisiana places with reliable estimates. Only 2 of 31 Louisiana places with reliable estimates are lower.
How Ruston compares with Louisiana and the U.S.
| Measure | Ruston | Louisiana | U.S. | Position in Louisiana |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change since April 2020 PEP Vintage 2025 | +1.1% | — | — | higher than 77% of 300 Louisiana places |
| Residents per square mile of land PEP 2025 / Gazetteer 2025 | 1,057 | — | — | higher than 75% of 305 Louisiana places |
| Median household income B19013 | $31,120 ±$1,970 | $60,756 | $80,734 | lower than 83% of 212 Louisiana places |
| Median home value B25077 | $225,300 ±$21,355 | $216,500 | $332,700 | higher than 82% of 229 Louisiana places |
| Median real estate taxes paid B25103 | $1,110 ±$201 | $1,180 | $3,119 | higher than 65% of 103 Louisiana places |
| Median gross rent B25064 | $816 ±$57 | $1,064 | $1,413 | lower than 50% of 223 Louisiana places |
| Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent B25070 | 67.0% ±8.5 pp | 54.8% | 51.1% | higher than 77% of 133 Louisiana places |
| Homeownership rate B25003 | 36.2% ±3.4 pp | 67.4% | 65.2% | lower than 96% of 285 Louisiana places |
| Median age B01002 | 24.3 years ±1.1 | 38.0 years | 38.9 years | lower than 99% of 277 Louisiana places |
| Adults 25+ with a bachelor’s degree or higher B15003 | 40.2% ±4.8 pp | 27.0% | 35.7% | higher than 95% of 136 Louisiana places |
| Poverty rate B17001 | 39.8% ±4.6 pp | 18.9% | 12.5% | higher than 77% of 161 Louisiana places |
| People without health insurance B27010 | 6.9% ±2.0 pp | 7.8% | 8.4% | lower than 74% of 68 Louisiana places |
| Households with a broadband subscription B28002 | 84.6% ±3.6 pp | 86.6% | 91.0% | higher than 62% of 279 Louisiana places |
| Unemployment rate (civilian labor force) B23025 | 3.4% ±1.5 pp | 6.3% | 5.2% | lower than 91% of 31 Louisiana places |
| Foreign-born residents B05002 | 4.0% ±1.6 pp | 4.9% | 14.1% | lower than 71% of 33 Louisiana places |
| Jobs located in the place per 100 residents LODES 8.4 / PEP | 65.3 | — | — | higher than 78% of 178 Louisiana places |
| Change in local jobs since 2019 LODES 8.4 | +0.2% | — | — | lower than 53% of 151 Louisiana places |
| Workers who work from home B08301 | 14.9% ±3.0 pp | 8.1% | 15.1% | higher than 87% of 43 Louisiana places |
| Commutes of 45 minutes or longer B08303 | 7.1% ±3.4 pp | 15.2% | 16.5% | lower than 93% of 108 Louisiana places |
| Households without a vehicle B08201 | 11.3% ±3.9 pp | 8.4% | 8.4% | lower than 73% of 65 Louisiana places |
Positions compare Ruston with Louisiana places in this directory whose estimate has a coefficient of variation of 30% or less (survey measures) or a published PEP value. The marker runs from the lowest value (left) to the highest (right); it is a description, not a score or a recommendation.
How many people live in Ruston?
The latest official estimate is 22,397 residents on July 1, 2025. It ranks 1,773rd by population nationally and 16th in Louisiana among this directory’s PEP places. Population changed by 32 residents between the 2024 and 2025 estimates. These are annual estimates, not census enumerations.
| Reference date | Population | Change from previous estimate |
|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2020 | 22,151 | Separate from April 2020 base |
| July 1, 2021 | 22,287 | +136 |
| July 1, 2022 | 22,298 | +11 |
| July 1, 2023 | 22,362 | +64 |
| July 1, 2024 | 22,365 | +3 |
| July 1, 2025 | 22,397 | +32 |
From the revised April 2020 base to July 2025, the change is +243 residents (1.1%). This is a within-vintage comparison. Boundary adjustments can affect both the estimates and their interpretation.
Download this population chart (SVG) · Official population release
Where are the boundaries?
- Entity and stable identifier
- Ruston city, Louisiana · Incorporated city · 2266655
- Counties or equivalents · 2025 boundaries
- Lincoln Parish
- Metropolitan or micropolitan context · July 2023 delineations
- Ruston, LA — Micropolitan Statistical Area County associations use Census PEP county place parts. Each county is matched by FIPS code to the official CBSA list; a city can span several counties or statistical areas. A missing association can reflect an area outside a CBSA or changed county codes between vintages. City figures on this page remain place-level statistics.
- Land area
- 21.2 square miles · 2025 Gazetteer
- Water area
- 0.1 square miles · 2025 Gazetteer
- Approximate population density
- 1,057 residents per square mile of land
- Internal point
- 32.532986°, -92.635327° · Census geographic reference point
Density divides the July 2025 estimate by 2025 Gazetteer land area, so it is approximate. The internal point is a locator, not an address. Census place profile reference .
Income and poverty
| Measure / survey universe | City estimate ± MOE | State estimate ± MOE | U.S. estimate ± MOE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income Households · USD/year | $31,120 ±$1,970 | $60,756 ±$408 | $80,734 ±$166 |
| Per-capita income Total population · USD/year | $21,473 ±$1,882 | $35,038 ±$248 | $44,673 ±$122 |
| Category | Count ± MOE | Share ± MOE (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| Below the poverty level | 7,888 ±922 | 39.8% ±4.6 pp |
Household income combines the incomes of everyone in a household; per-capita income divides all income by every resident. The poverty rate is 39.8% (±4.6 percentage points) under the official Census definition.
Home values, rent and tenure
| Measure / survey universe | City estimate ± MOE | State estimate ± MOE | U.S. estimate ± MOE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median owner-occupied home value Owner-occupied housing units · USD | $225,300 ±$21,355 | $216,500 ±$1,367 | $332,700 ±$236 |
| Median gross rent Renter-occupied units paying cash rent · USD/month | $816 ±$57 | $1,064 ±$8 | $1,413 ±$2 |
| Category | Count ± MOE | Share ± MOE (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| Owner occupied | 3,186 ±354 | 36.2% ±3.4 pp |
| Renter occupied | 5,610 ±499 | 63.8% ±4.1 pp |
Owner-occupied units make up 36.2% of occupied housing. Gross rent includes estimated tenant-paid utilities and home values are owners’ own estimates; both cover 2020–2024 leases and homes rather than current listings. The median home value is 7.2 times the median household income.
See housing units, occupancy, rent burden and homeowner costs .
Monthly rent by bedroom count
| Bedrooms | Monthly gross rent | 90% margin of error | Precision |
|---|---|---|---|
| No bedroom (studio) | $718 | ±$149 | Estimate with MOE |
| 1 bedroom | $656 | ±$39 | Estimate with MOE |
| 2 bedrooms | $772 | ±$49 | Estimate with MOE |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,190 | ±$123 | Estimate with MOE |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,596 | ±$612 | Estimate with MOE |
| 5 or more bedrooms | Unavailable | Unavailable | Unavailable |
Census table B25031 describes renter-occupied units paying cash rent within this exact place geography. Gross rent includes contract rent and estimated tenant-paid utilities. These survey medians include existing leases across 2020–2024; they are not current apartment listings. Missing categories stay unavailable, and open-ended medians remain ranges. Small bedroom categories can have large margins of error. Download source values and provenance .
Employment among residents
| Category | Count ± MOE | Share ± MOE (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| In the labor force | 8,879 ±855 | 45.7% ±4.3 pp |
| Not in the labor force | 10,565 ±837 | 54.3% ±4.1 pp |
| Category | Count ± MOE | Share ± MOE (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| Civilian employed | 8,575 ±829 | 96.6% ±0.8 pp |
| Civilian unemployed | 304 ±137 | 3.4% ±1.5 pp |
These estimates describe residents of Ruston wherever they work; jobs at workplaces inside the city appear under jobs located in Ruston. They are 2020–2024 averages, not a current monthly unemployment rate.
Which industries employ residents?
Education, health care and social assistance is the largest of the published broad industry groups among employed residents: 37.1% (3,184 people; ±3.6 percentage points). The estimate covers residents’ industries wherever they work, rather than employers located inside the place.
| Category | Count ± MOE | Share ± MOE (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting and mining | 253 ±194 · low precision | 3.0% ±2.2 pp · low precision |
| Construction | 374 ±178 | 4.4% ±2.0 pp |
| Manufacturing | 295 ±137 | 3.4% ±1.6 pp |
| Wholesale trade | 86 ±105 · low precision | 1.0% ±1.2 pp · low precision |
| Retail trade | 1,267 ±457 | 14.8% ±5.1 pp |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 253 ±140 · low precision | 3.0% ±1.6 pp · low precision |
| Information | 100 ±94 · low precision | 1.2% ±1.1 pp · low precision |
| Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing | 601 ±210 | 7.0% ±2.4 pp |
| Professional, scientific, management, administrative and waste services | 576 ±224 | 6.7% ±2.5 pp |
| Education, health care and social assistance | 3,184 ±436 | 37.1% ±3.6 pp |
| Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services | 780 ±329 | 9.1% ±3.7 pp |
| Other services, except public administration | 304 ±148 | 3.5% ±1.7 pp |
| Public administration | 502 ±226 | 5.9% ±2.6 pp |
Occupations among employed residents
| Category | Count ± MOE | Share ± MOE (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| Management, business, science and arts | 3,531 ±461 | 41.2% ±3.6 pp |
| Service occupations | 1,715 ±442 | 20.0% ±4.8 pp |
| Sales and office | 2,029 ±469 | 23.7% ±5.0 pp |
| Natural resources, construction and maintenance | 522 ±225 | 6.1% ±2.6 pp |
| Production, transportation and material moving | 778 ±262 | 9.1% ±2.9 pp |
| Category | Count ± MOE | Share ± MOE (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| Management occupations | 565 ±176 | 6.6% ±2.0 pp |
| Computer and mathematical occupations | 214 ±103 | 2.5% ±1.2 pp |
| Educational instruction and library occupations | 1,339 ±263 | 15.6% ±2.7 pp |
| Health practitioners and technical occupations | 348 ±198 · low precision | 4.1% ±2.3 pp · low precision |
| Sales and related occupations | 1,136 ±391 | 13.2% ±4.4 pp |
| Transportation occupations | 177 ±120 · low precision | 2.1% ±1.4 pp · low precision |
The detailed groups are subsets of the broad groups and should not be added to them.
How residents get to work
| Category | Count ± MOE | Share ± MOE (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| Drove alone | 5,901 ±786 | 71.2% ±6.4 pp |
| Carpooled | 729 ±297 | 8.8% ±3.5 pp |
| Public transportation | 0 ±26 · low precision | 0.0% ±0.3 pp · low precision |
| Taxi or ride-hailing | 0 ±26 · low precision | 0.0% ±0.3 pp · low precision |
| Motorcycle | 0 ±26 · low precision | 0.0% ±0.3 pp · low precision |
| Bicycle | 18 ±25 · low precision | 0.2% ±0.3 pp · low precision |
| Walked | 389 ±166 | 4.7% ±1.9 pp |
| Other means | 20 ±31 · low precision | 0.2% ±0.4 pp · low precision |
| Worked from home | 1,232 ±279 | 14.9% ±3.0 pp |
| Category | Count ± MOE | Share ± MOE (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 15 minutes | 4,497 ±639 | 63.7% ±5.3 pp |
| 15–29 minutes | 1,628 ±398 | 23.1% ±5.0 pp |
| 30–44 minutes | 428 ±178 | 6.1% ±2.4 pp |
| 45–59 minutes | 311 ±216 · low precision | 4.4% ±3.0 pp · low precision |
| 60 minutes or longer | 193 ±119 · low precision | 2.7% ±1.7 pp · low precision |
| Category | Count ± MOE | Share ± MOE (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| No vehicle available | 991 ±350 | 11.3% ±3.9 pp |
Travel times cover workers who did not work from home. Vehicle availability is counted per household, not per driver.
Households and residents
Median age is 24.3 years (±1.1). The demographic profile covers age groups, race and Hispanic origin, household types, nativity, languages, education and moves, each compared with Louisiana and the U.S.
How many jobs are located in Ruston?
Employers in Ruston reported 14,611 jobs in 2023, +0.2% compared with 2019 (14,575 jobs). That is 65.3 jobs for every 100 residents in the July 2023 population estimate. These are jobs at workplaces inside the city limits, wherever the workers live, unlike resident employment figures.
| Industry | Jobs | Share of local jobs | Louisiana share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 2,976 | 20.4% | 16.7% |
| Educational services | 2,587 | 17.7% | 8.5% |
| Retail trade | 2,136 | 14.6% | 11.8% |
| Accommodation and food services | 1,964 | 13.4% | 10.2% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 595 | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Construction | 568 | 3.9% | 7.4% |
| Manufacturing | 544 | 3.7% | 7.6% |
| Finance and insurance | 515 | 3.5% | 3.1% |
| Public administration | 487 | 3.3% | 4.4% |
| Administrative, support and waste management services | 421 | 2.9% | 5.8% |
| Wholesale trade | 385 | 2.6% | 3.7% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 320 | 2.2% | 1.2% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 319 | 2.2% | 1.7% |
| Other services, except public administration | 274 | 1.9% | 2.6% |
| Information | 184 | 1.3% | 1.4% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 157 | 1.1% | 4.3% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 101 | 0.7% | 1.8% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 29 | 0.2% | 0.4% |
| Utilities | 27 | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 22 | 0.2% | 1.5% |
| Group | Jobs | Share | Louisiana share |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,250 a month or less | 3,741 | 25.6% | 19.1% |
| $1,251 to $3,333 a month | 4,974 | 34.0% | 30.6% |
| More than $3,333 a month | 5,896 | 40.4% | 50.3% |
| Age 29 or younger | 4,179 | 28.6% | 22.4% |
| Age 30 to 54 | 7,043 | 48.2% | 53.6% |
| Age 55 or older | 3,389 | 23.2% | 24.1% |
Health care and social assistance is the largest sector for jobs located in Ruston (20.4% of local jobs, compared with 16.7% statewide). Earnings bands describe what each job pays per month, not household income, and a worker can hold more than one job.
Source: Census LEHD Origin-Destination Employment Statistics (LODES) 8.4, workplace area characteristics, all jobs, second-quarter reference date. Census blocks are summed to 2024 place boundaries. Includes private, state and local government and federal civilian jobs; excludes self-employment, military and informal work. Counts include confidentiality noise and are less precise for small places.
Nearby station climate normals
No station in the retained NOAA release meets our complete standard-normal criteria within 25 km of this place’s Census internal point. We leave local climate values unavailable. Use NOAA’s station lookup to inspect other locations and their coverage.
Check a specific address before moving
City averages help compare places. A particular home’s school assignment, transit service and flood-map coverage need checks at the address.
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center — search the address, read the effective map and its date, and check any map changes. An unmapped location does not establish an absence of flood risk.
- NCES public school district directory — find district contact information, then use the district’s official address locator or enrollment office to confirm school assignment. A city name or district boundary alone does not assign a school.
- FCC National Broadband Map — check reported service at the exact location, then confirm availability and terms with the provider.
- Check the official transit operator’s route map and timetable for the address and your actual travel hours; the citywide commuting shares above do not measure service on a particular street.
Sources and data notes
Population: Census PEP Vintage 2025, published May 14, 2026. Survey measures: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates, published January 29, 2026, dollar figures in 2024 dollars. Geography: Census 2025 Gazetteer, with simplified 2024 state outlines for the locator. Statistical estimates and derived values use the same retained records in profiles, comparison, filters and downloads.
Climate uses NOAA 1991–2020 station normals (v1.0.1); jobs located in the city use LEHD LODES 8.4. Crime, school assignments and hazard scores are not inferred from these datasets, and missing values are never treated as zero. Inspect original sources, read calculation details, download this place’s source observations , or submit a correction.