City profile · Washington · Census ACS 2023

Ruston, WA

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.

1,293
Residents
$113,971
Median income
$808,200
Median home
$2,031
Median rent (state)

Ruston - the verdict

Nationally, Ruston sits in the 85th percentile for household income and the 2nd percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

85th
percentile, household income
95th
percentile, home value
84th
percentile, median rent
2nd
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, WA

Ruston is a small town in Washington, home to 1,293 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Ruston brings in $113,971 a year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 4.3%. Typical homes in Ruston are valued around $808,200, and the median resident age is 47.8 years. Educational attainment runs 58.0% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 59.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 2 residential building permits were authorized in Ruston (Stable), up 0% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Ruston's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 6378.8 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Washington carries a cost-of-living premium: the state registers 107.0 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Above Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $2,031 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Washington's average monthly utility costs around $188 (state average). The average commute for Ruston workers runs 26.1 minutes, with 71.1% driving alone and 18.8% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 92.3 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

1,293 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Washington

Median Household Income

$113,971 /yr

Poverty 4.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

107.0 (US=100)

Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, Washington average

How does Ruston compare to other US cities?

Here's how Ruston stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 85% higher than other cities
Home value 95% pricier than other cities
Median rent 84% pricier than other cities
Safety 2% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Washington alone, Ruston ranks #152 of 156 Washington cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Ruston against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Washington only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Washington-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher is Ruston's strongest outlier among Washington cities

Among the 599 Washington cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Ruston ranks #39 - the 93rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Ruston only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#131 of 565
77th percentile in Washington
Median Gross Rent
#80 of 599
75th percentile in Washington
Median Home Value
#51 of 565
91st percentile in Washington
Poverty Rate
#353 of 598
40th percentile in Washington
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#39 of 599
93rd percentile in Washington

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Washington only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

85thIncome percentile
2ndSafety percentile

85th percentile nationally for median household income · 2nd 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 33 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+)

$808,200 5th percentile more affordable than 5% 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%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. $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, WA Ruston, WA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Ruston, WA-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, WA median $113,971/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, WA'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, WA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 58.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.7%

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

Population
1,293
Median Income
$113,971
Median Home Value
$808,200
Median Age
47.8
Poverty Rate
4.3%
Labor force participation
59.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
58.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
6378.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1570.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
4808.6
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.

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,030 residents1,040 residents1,050 residents1,060 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,056 residents 1,052 residents ▼ -0.4%
Ruston's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
2
housing units authorized
Single-Family
2
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 2
2020 4
2021 2
2022 2
2023 1
2024 2

Permit volume increased 0% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
26.1 minutes
Drive Alone
71.1%
Carpool
5.2%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.6%
Work from Home
18.8%
Other
3.3%

Based on 675 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

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

Electricity
$85
avg/month
Natural Gas
$48
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$55
avg/month
Total Utilities
$188
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Washington 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 Washington 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
107.0
Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,031/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
92.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Washington

McMillin
1,298 people
Soap Lake
1,286 people
Point Roberts
1,275 people
Clear Lake CDP (Pierce County)
1,266 people
Anderson Island
1,341 people
Waterville
1,353 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Ruston's 1,293 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Steele, AL
1,293 people
Plano, KY
1,293 people
Coldwater, MS
1,293 people
Antrim, NH
1,293 people
Southmont, NC
1,293 people
Saxonburg, PA
1,293 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Ruston's $113,971 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Manvel, TX
$113,938 median income
Boiling Springs, PA
$114,013 median income
Hurstbourne, KY
$113,906 median income
North Merritt Island, FL
$113,897 median income
Independence, OH
$114,049 median income
Norton Center, MA
$114,051 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Ruston, WA 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, WA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 75.4% 7.7% 11.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.0% White 75.4% Black or African American 1.5% Asian 7.7% American Indian 1.6% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.2% Two or more races 11.7% 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 Washington 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) 1,293 $113,971
McMillin 1,298 $107,305
Soap Lake 1,286 N/A
Point Roberts 1,275 $80,197
Census ACS 5-year FIPS WA FBI UCR Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Ruston, WA?

What is the population of Ruston, WA? +

The population of Ruston, WA stands at 1,293 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Ruston is $113,971 per year, 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 Washington state average, a cost of living index of 107.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Washington vary by metro area.

Is Ruston, WA safe? +

Ruston has a total crime rate of 6378.8 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, WA? +

Ruston's median home value sits at $808,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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

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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.