At a Glance
Median Income
$32,765
$21,929 per capita
Home Value
$226,700
Zillow: $228,696
Median Rent
$819/mo
41.2% of income on rent
Violent Crime
427/100K
2,956/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
42.9%
92.9% high school+
Unemployment
3.4%
22.2% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
47.7%
20.3% smoking rate
How Ruston Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Ruston's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Ruston a Good Place to Live?
C+
2.7 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Ruston residents earn a median household income of $32,765 , which is 56% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $21,929. The unemployment rate stands at 3.4% (6% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 22.2% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 1,509 business establishments, including 120 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Ruston is $226,700 , 20% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $228,696. Median rent is $819/month, with 41.2% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 88.2 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1986.
Safety & Crime
Ruston reports 427 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 12% above the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 2,956/100K.
Education
42.9% of adults in Ruston hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(27% above the national average).
92.9% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.9/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Ruston has an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C).
Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 55.6 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population22,224
Median Age23.8 yrs
Density1,049/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Foreign Born3.2%
Veterans3.0%
Economy
C+
Median Income$32,765
Per Capita$21,929
Unemployment3.4%
Poverty22.2%
County GDP$2,777M
Avg Weekly Wage$889
Housing
C+
Home Value$226,700
Rent$819
Ownership36.7%
Zillow$228,696
Housing Units9,151
Rent Burden41.2%
Crime
F
Violent427/100K
Property2,956/100K
Health
Obesity47.7%
Diabetes16.8%
Smoking20.3%
Heart Disease7.4%
Premature Death10,122/100K
Climate
Avg Temp65°F
Rain55.6 in/yr
Elevation296 ft
Education
A
Bachelor's+42.9%
High School+92.9%
Graduate+15.7%
School Score4.9/10
Community
2024 VoteR 62% / D 37%
Commute14 min
Broadband86.7%
Internet Speed29 Mbps
EV Stations4
Libraries1
Did You Know?
Ruston was founded in 1885.
The median home in Ruston was built in 1986.
The nearest airport is Ruston Regional (3 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.524 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
12.4% of the population has a disability.
There are 120 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 8 fatal vehicle crashes.