County · Texas
Rusk County, Texas
Rusk County, Texas. Rusk County had 54,854 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.0% since 2020, slower than Texas (+8.8%). It holds 9 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 14 census tracts. GEOID 48401.
Rusk County is one of the 4 counties of the Longview, TX metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
54,854
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 52,214 · ACS 2020-2024: 52,842
Median household income
$68,658
±$4,537 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$171,300
±$7,398 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$1,015
±$54 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
How many people live in Rusk County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 52,214 residents in Rusk County. The Census Bureau estimates 54,854 for July 1, 2025, up 5.0% since 2020, slower than Texas (+8.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 52,842 over 924 square miles of land.
| Measure | Rusk County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 52,842 | 30,188,424 | −913 |
| Households | 18,027±375 | 10,992,816 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.65±0.05 | 2.69 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 21,311±61 | 12,128,515 | −404 |
Rusk County's population since 2000
From 47,372 in 2000 to 54,854 in 2025: up 15.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Rusk County?
Rusk County holds 9 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Henderson with 13,496 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Henderson | 13,271 | $61,285 |
|---|---|---|
| Kilgore | 13,376 | $66,295 |
| Lake Cherokee | 2,980 | $91,855 |
| Overton | 2,275 | $52,279 |
| Tatum | 1,342 | $77,404 |
| New London | 958 | $63,036 |
| Mount Enterprise | 505 | $77,083 |
| ReklawGEOID 4861508 | 332 | not published |
| Easton | 499 | $30,833 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Rusk County?
The median resident of Rusk County is 39.1 years old; 22.6% are under 18 and 17.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 61.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 19.1%. 6.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Rusk County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.1±0.5 | 35.6 | +0.9 |
| Under 18 years | 22.6% | 25.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.5%±0.1 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 19.1% | 39.7% | +2.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 61.4%±0.2 pts | 39.1% | −2.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 13.2%±0.8 pts | 11.9% | −3.6 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 5.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.7%±0.9 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.3%±0.7 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 13.9%±1.1 pts | 35.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.0%±0.8 pts | 6.2% | – |
| With a disability | 15.6%±1.3 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 13.7%±1.8 pts | 17.1% | −4.7 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 84.8%±1.1 pts | 86.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.5%±1.6 pts | 33.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.9%±0.9 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 2.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Rusk County earn?
Half of Rusk County's 18,027 households earn less than $68,658 a year (±$4,537), against $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 it was $67,976 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 14.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Rusk County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $68,658±$4,537 | $78,476 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $94,041±$7,418 | $109,933 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,876±$2,859 | $40,752 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 14.4%±2.2 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 20.4%±4.6 pts | 18.7% | +5.7 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.2%±1.8 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 79.6%±2.5 pts | 91.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Rusk County?
Owners occupy 78.8% of Rusk County's occupied homes and renters 21.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $171,300 by its owner (±$7,398). The median renter pays $1,015 a month including utilities, and 37.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Rusk County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $171,300±$7,398 | $283,800 | +$17,586 |
| Median gross rent | $1,015±$54 | $1,403 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.1%±8.5 pts | 42.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,441±$69 | $2,106 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 78.8%±2.5 pts | 62.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 21,311±61 | 12,128,515 | −404 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4%±0.8 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.4%±3.8 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.5%±2.0 pts | 64.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 18.9%±1.8 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.1%±1.4 pts | 3.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Rusk County building?
Builders took permits for 9 new housing units across Rusk County in 2025 (9 single-family), 0.2 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Rusk County get to work?
83.9% of Rusk County's workers drive alone and 5.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.5%.
| Measure | Rusk County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 52.9%±1.5 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5%±1.1 pts | 5.3% | −2.7 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 83.9%±1.8 pts | 71.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.6%±1.6 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 1.1%±0.5 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.1%±1.1 pts | 14.4% | +1.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.6 min±1.7 | 26.7 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Rusk County's census tracts?
Rusk County is divided into 14 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $53,167 (Tract 9511) to $93,889 (Tract 9501.02).
| Tract 9501.0148401950101 | 2,935±499 | $82,813 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9501.0248401950102 | 2,558±510 | $93,889 |
| Tract 950248401950200 | 2,319±305 | $54,625 |
| Tract 950348401950300 | 6,771±703 | $71,301 |
| Tract 950448401950400 | 5,151±609 | $63,696 |
| Tract 9505.0148401950501 | 5,139±746 | $80,938 |
| Tract 9505.0248401950502 | 4,337±464 | $69,583 |
| Tract 950648401950600 | 2,283±369 | $66,250 |
| Tract 950748401950700 | 4,979±404 | $61,574 |
| Tract 950848401950800 | 4,687±555 | $68,889 |
| Tract 950948401950900 | 3,532±490 | $61,213 |
| Tract 951048401951000 | 2,426±420 | $65,700 |
| Tract 951148401951100 | 2,970±492 | $53,167 |
| Tract 951248401951200 | 2,755±535 | $54,439 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Rusk County compare with Texas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 65th of 253 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 95th of 254 |
| Residents per square mile | 69th of 254 |
| Median household income | 97th of 253 |
| Median home value | 121st of 247 |
| Median gross rent | 99th of 245 |
| Poverty rate | 127th of 240 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 167th of 252 |
| Median age | 132nd of 254 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Rusk County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.