City profile · Louisiana · Census ACS 2023

Ruston, LA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Ruston - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

22,224
Residents
$32,765
Median income
$226,700
Median home
$881
Median rent (state)

Ruston - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Ruston lands in the 3rd percentile for household income and the 12th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

3rd
percentile, household income
50th
percentile, home value
3rd
percentile, median rent
12th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Ruston, LA

22,224 people live in Ruston, Louisiana - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Ruston households earn a median of $32,765 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 22.2%. Ruston's housing stock carries a median value of $226,700, and the median resident age is 23.8 years. 42.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 50.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 86 residential building permits were authorized in Ruston (Construction Slowdown), down 63% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Ruston's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 3382.9 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Louisiana run below the national norm: the state registers 88.2 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $881 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $212 across Louisiana, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in Ruston report an average commute of 12.3 minutes, with 72.8% driving alone and 12.8% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 64.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

22,224 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Louisiana

Median Household Income

$32,765 /yr

Poverty 22.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Louisiana average

How does Ruston compare to other US cities?

Where Ruston sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 3% higher than other cities
Home value 50% pricier than other cities
Median rent 3% pricier than other cities
Safety 12% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Louisiana and the picture shifts: Ruston ranks #36 of 60 Louisiana cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Ruston's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Louisiana, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

3rdIncome percentile
12thSafety percentile

3rd percentile nationally for median household income · 12th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Ruston's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Ruston's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 30 Avg. percentile National median
Ruston's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Ruston's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$226,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 50% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Ruston $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Ruston, LA Ruston, LA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Ruston, LA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Ruston, LA median $32,765/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Ruston, LA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Ruston, LA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 42.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 22.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 50.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
22,224
Median Income
$32,765
Median Home Value
$226,700
Median Age
23.8
Poverty Rate
22.2%
Labor force participation
50.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
42.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3382.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
426.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2956.1
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
9
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
22,100 residents22,200 residents22,300 residents22,400 residents22,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 22,151 residents 22,397 residents ▲ +1.1%
Ruston's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
86
housing units authorized
Single-Family
67
detached homes
Multifamily
19
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 235
2020 260
2021 92
2022 65
2023 58
2024 86

Permit volume decreased 63% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
12.3 minutes
Drive Alone
72.8%
Carpool
9.9%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
4.2%
Work from Home
12.8%

Based on 9,368 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Louisiana - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$130
avg/month
Natural Gas
$40
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$212
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Louisiana state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Louisiana state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Ruston sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.2
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$881/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
64.3 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Louisiana

Bayou Cane
22,143 people
Chalmette
22,447 people
Harvey
21,710 people
Sulphur
21,004 people
Hammond
20,790 people
Zachary
19,637 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Ruston's 22,224 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Middleton, WI
22,235 people
Perry, GA
22,243 people
Payson, UT
22,205 people
West Puente Valley, CA
22,198 people
Rancho San Diego, CA
22,264 people
Evans, CO
22,265 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Ruston's $32,765 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Bruce, MS
$32,772 median income
Abbeville, AL
$32,778 median income
Maynard, AR
$32,750 median income
Sandyfield, NC
$32,750 median income
Kermit, WV
$32,750 median income
Cocoa West, FL
$32,746 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Ruston, LA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Ruston, LA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 48.2% 42.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.3% White 48.2% Black or African American 42.5% Asian 2.2% American Indian 1.8% Native Hawaiian 0.2% Some other race 0.5% Two or more races 4.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Ruston compares to nearby Louisiana cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Ruston (this city) 22,224 $32,765
Bayou Cane 22,143 $73,235
Chalmette 22,447 $56,875
Harvey 21,710 $43,524
Census ACS 5-year FIPS LA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Ruston, LA?

What is the population of Ruston, LA? +

The population of Ruston, LA stands at 22,224 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Ruston, LA? +

Ruston households earn a median of $32,765 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Ruston? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Ruston; the closest available measure is the Louisiana state average, a cost of living index of 88.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Louisiana vary by metro area.

Is Ruston, LA safe? +

Ruston has a total crime rate of 3382.9 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Ruston, LA? +

Homes in Ruston carry a median value of $226,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.