State
Parish
Land Area (mi²)
21.1 sq mi
Density (mi²)
1,017.60/sq mi
2020 Growth Rate
-0.80%
Growth Since 2010
-1.61%
Rank in State
Rank in Country
Metro Population
46,002
World Population Review
Ruston, Louisiana Population 2021
21,506
Ruston is a city located in Lincoln Parish Louisiana. With a 2020 population of 21,506, it is the 15th largest city in Louisiana and the 1751st largest city in the United States . Ruston is currently declining at a rate of -0.80% annually and its population has decreased by -1.61% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 21,859 in 2010. Ruston reached it's highest population of 22,033 in 2017. Spanning over 21 miles, Ruston has a population density of 1,018 people per square mile.
The average household income in Ruston is $48,052 with a poverty rate of 41.59%. The median rental costs in recent years comes to $744 per month, and the median house value is $169,600. The median age in Ruston is 23.7 years, 23.4 years for males, and 24 years for females.
Ruston Demographics
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Ruston was:
- Black or African American: 47.91%
- White: 46.47%
- Asian: 2.77%
- Two or more races: 1.65%
- Other race: 0.98%
- Native American: 0.22%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.00%
The current population of Ruston, Louisiana is 21,506 based on our projections of the latest US Census estimates. The US Census estimates the 2018 population at 22,028.The last official US Census in 2010 recorded the population at 21,859.
Ruston, Louisiana Population 2021
2019 and 2020 population is estimated by projecting the raw 2018 numbers.
| Year | Population | Growth | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 46,002 | -370 | -0.80% |
| 2020 | 46,372 | -370 | -0.80% |
| 2019 | 46,742 | -370 | -0.79% |
| 2018 | 47,112 | -359 | -0.76% |
| 2017 | 47,471 | -2 | -0.00% |
| 2016 | 47,473 | 39 | 0.08% |
| 2015 | 47,434 | 236 | 0.50% |
| 2014 | 47,198 | -35 | -0.07% |
| 2013 | 47,233 | 207 | 0.44% |
| 2012 | 47,026 | -32 | -0.07% |
| 2011 | 47,058 | 208 | 0.44% |
| 2010 | 46,850 | 0.00% |
Ruston Metro Area Population by Year
| Race | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Black or African American | 10,529 | 47.91% |
| White | 10,213 | 46.47% |
| Asian | 609 | 2.77% |
| Two or More Races | 362 | 1.65% |
| Some Other Race | 215 | 0.98% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 48 | 0.22% |
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Ruston Population by Race
Ruston Population Pyramid $2021
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Ruston Population by Age
Ruston Households and Families
| Type | Count | Average Size | Owned |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 7,970 | 2.48 | 34.7 |
| Non Family | 4,032 | 1.71 | 19.3 |
| Married | 2,100 | 3.08 | 79.4 |
| Female | 1,548 | 3.65 | 17.6 |
| Male | 290 | 2.5 | 15.2 |
3.17
Average Family Size
2.48
Average Household Size
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Ruston Households by Type
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| Education Attained | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Less Than 9th Grade | 260 | 2.67% |
| 9th to 12th Grade | 743 | 7.62% |
| High School Graduate | 2,209 | 22.64% |
| Some College | 1,799 | 18.44% |
| Associates Degree | 674 | 6.91% |
| Bachelors Degree | 2,393 | 24.53% |
| Graduate Degree | 1,677 | 17.19% |
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Ruston Educational Attainment by Sex (over 25)
Ruston Educational Attainment by Race
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| Race | Total | High School | Bachelors |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 4,798 | 4,666 | 2,861 |
| Black | 4,379 | 3,593 | 969 |
| Asian | 333 | 299 | 205 |
| Hispanic | 153 | 133 | 15 |
| 2+ Races | 88 | 88 | 20 |
| Other Race | 66 | 66 | |
| Native American | 31 |
The highest rate of high school graduation is among other race people with a rate of 100.00%.
The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among asian people with a rate of 61.56%.
Ruston Educational Attainment by Race
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$29,896
Average Earnings
$38,906
Average Male
$24,583
Average Female
Ruston Earnings by Educational Attainment
Ruston Language by Age
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Ruston Language
93.86% of Ruston residents speak only English, while 6.14% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Other Indo-European, which is spoken by 1.88% of the population.
Ruston Language
Ruston Poverty by Race
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| Name | Total | In Poverty | Poverty Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 9,677 | 4,825 | 49.86% |
| White | 8,921 | 2,834 | 31.77% |
| Asian | 509 | 208 | 40.86% |
| Hispanic | 391 | 197 | 50.38% |
| Multiple | 355 | 172 | 48.45% |
| Other | 178 | 119 | 66.85% |
| Native | 31 | 31 | 100.00% |
41.59%
Overall Poverty Rate
41.51%
Male Poverty Rate
41.65%
Female Poverty Rate
Poverty in Ruston
The race most likely to be in poverty in Ruston is Native, with 100.00% below the poverty level.
The race least likely to be in poverty in Ruston is White, with 31.77% below the poverty level.
The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 15.99%. Among those working part-time, it was 60.15%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 44.90%.
Ruston Poverty
Ruston Poverty Rate by Education
Ruston Marital Status
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Marriage Rates
24.4%
Overall Marriage Rate
25.7%
Male Marriage Rate
23.2%
Female Marriage Rate
Ruston Married by Age and Sex
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Ruston Marriage
The age group where males are most likely to be married is 45-54, while the female age group most likely to be married is 35-44.
Ruston Marital Status by Race
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Ruston Marital Status
Ruston Veterans by War
Ruston Veterans by Age
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| Name | Veterans | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| White | 545 | 6.12% |
| Black | 319 | 3.93% |
| Asian | 31 | 6.07% |
| Hispanic | 4 | 1.05% |
Ruston Veterans by Race
Ruston Veterans by Education
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14.84%
Veteran Poverty Rate
25.14%
Veteran Disability Rate
Ruston Veterans by Education
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57.5%
Labor Force Participation
54.4%
Employment Rate
4.5%
Unemployment Rate
Ruston Employment by Age
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Ruston Employment by Race
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Ruston Employment by Education
Origin of Non-Citizens
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Non citizens include legal permanent residents (green card holders), international students, temporary workers, humanitarian migrants, and illegal immigrants.
Origin of Naturalized Citizens
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95.19%
Native Born
4.81%
Foreign Born
3.62%
Non Citizen
1.20%
Naturalized
Place of Birth
95.19% of Ruston residents were born in the United States, with 69.83% having been born in Louisiana. 3.62% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Asia.
Ruston Place of Birth
| Year | Population | Growth | Annual Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 21,506 | -174 | -0.80% |
| 2020 | 21,680 | -174 | -0.80% |
| 2019 | 21,854 | -174 | -0.79% |
| 2018 | 22,028 | -5 | -0.02% |
| 2017 | 22,033 | 9 | 0.04% |
| 2016 | 22,024 | 21 | 0.10% |
| 2015 | 22,003 | 44 | 0.20% |
| 2014 | 21,959 | -72 | -0.33% |
| 2013 | 22,031 | 93 | 0.42% |
| 2012 | 21,938 | -45 | -0.20% |
| 2011 | 21,983 | 58 | 0.26% |
| 2010 | 21,925 | 1,379 | 0.65% |
| 2000 | 20,546 | 519 | 0.26% |
| 1990 | 20,027 | -558 | -0.27% |
| 1980 | 20,585 | 3,220 | 1.72% |
| 1970 | 17,365 | 3,374 | 2.18% |
| 1960 | 13,991 | 3,619 | 3.04% |
| 1950 | 10,372 | 3,265 | 3.85% |
| 1940 | 7,107 | 2,707 | 4.91% |
| 1930 | 4,400 | 1,011 | 2.65% |
| 1920 | 3,389 | 12 | 0.04% |
| 1910 | 3,377 | 2,577 | 15.49% |
| 1900 | 800 | 0.00% |