Town in Cherokee County

Living in Rusk, TX

C+

325th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 56 of 100

Rusk gets an overall grade of C+ and ranks 325th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and errands and things to do, and trails on education levels and internet access. It is a strong pick for people on a budget.

  • Good for people on a budget
  • Affordable
  • Education levels scores low (5 of 100)
  • Health scores low (11 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Rusk isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthRusk
Where Rusk is in Texas.
Population
5,568+3.1% since 2020
Median rent
$64354% lower than Texas
Median home value
$157,40045% lower than Texas
Household income
$53,438Median
Average commute
27 minOne way
Violent crime
161Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Rusk

Rusk is a town in Cherokee County. 5,568 people lived here in 2025, up 3.1% from 2020. It is spread out.

Local spots people know include Rusk State Railroad Park, Jim Hogg State Park and Singletary Memorial Library.

The median age is 39.0, 42% of households have children, 64% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $53,438 a year (32% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Rusk

  • Low violent crime. 161 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 58% lower than the Texas rate.
  • Lower rent. Median rent is $643, 54% lower than the Texas median.

Cons of living in Rusk

  • Higher unemployment. 11% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of heat waves and strong wind as very high here.
  • Spotty home internet. Only 75% of homes have a broadband plan.

Who Rusk suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: 80% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 58% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 70% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 32% lower than the Texas median, with 24 restaurants and 3 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 61% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA strong fit: 21% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 58% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 79% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 75% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $643 is 54% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 49% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA strong fit: the median rent of $643 is 54% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 85% for people on a budget.

Rusk report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Rusk with other US towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

  • Cost of living: grade A

    Median rent $643, homes cost 2.9x income.

    92 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade D+

    Median household income $53,438, 11% unemployed.

    24 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade B

    5 rated campuses, 80% rated A or B.

    66 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade C+

    161 violent crimes per 100k, 501 property crimes per 100k.

    52 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade B+

    2 grocery stores, 24 restaurants, 5 parks mapped in town.

    79 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade D+

    Average commute 27 min, 22% work from home.

    26 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    11% have a bachelor’s degree.

    5 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D-

    21% of adults uninsured.

    11 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D

    64% of homes owner-occupied.

    16 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade F

    75% of homes have broadband.

    5 of 100 vs US towns

Where Rusk stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 21%31 points lower than Texas (52%)
  • Median rent: $64354% lower than Texas ($1,403)
  • Home value to income: 2.9x19% lower than Texas (3.6x)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 11%23 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Homes with broadband internet: 75%17 points lower than Texas (91%)
  • Median household income: $53,43832% lower than Texas ($78,476)

Cost of living in Rusk

Rusk renters pay a median of $643 a month, 54% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $26,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 21% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $812 for a one-bedroom, $1,062 for a two-bedroom and $1,351 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.

The median home is worth $157,400, 45% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $862 before tax, or $1,005 with property tax. That is $362 a month more than the median rent, so renting is the cheaper monthly choice unless you plan to stay for years.

Texas has no state income tax, but it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Rusk pays $1,725 a year, 59% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in RuskStudio$8071 bedroom$8122 bedrooms$1,0623 bedrooms$1,3514 bedrooms$1,530
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Cherokee County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent54% lower than Texas$643$1,403$1,413
Median home value45% lower than Texas$157,400$283,800$332,700
Home value to income19% lower than Texas2.9x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent31 points lower than Texas21%52%51%
Median property tax per year59% lower than Texas$1,725$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them1 points higher than Texas64%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas198219921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$1,005
Mortgage payment
$862
Property tax
$144
Median rent, for comparison
$643

Based on a $157,400 home in Rusk, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.

Is Rusk safe?

In 2025, Rusk Police Department reported 9 violent crimes and 28 property crimes. That works out to 161 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 58% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 501 property crimes per 100,000, 76% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime has been fairly steady since 2021.

Crime rates describe the whole area a police department covers. Some streets are much quieter than the average and some are busier, so look at the neighborhood grades and visit at different times of day.

Violent crimes per 100,000 people in Rusk by yearTexas16120212022202320242025

Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.

Violent crime
161
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
501
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Rusk by yearTexas50120212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Rusk Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.

Schools in Rusk

Rusk has 5 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 80% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Rusk ISD.

Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.

Schools grade
66
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
84
Texas median 81

Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.

Top-rated schools

  • BGw Bradford PriElementary, Rusk ISD86 of 100
  • BRusk ElementaryElementary, Rusk ISD86 of 100
  • BRusk Junior HighMiddle, Rusk ISD85 of 100
  • BRusk High SchoolHigh, Rusk ISD82 of 100
  • CRusk IntermediateElementary, Rusk ISD79 of 100

Daily life in Rusk

Everyday places mapped inside Rusk, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Rusk State Railroad Park, Jim Hogg State Park, Singletary Memorial Library.

The average one-way commute is 27 minutes, about the same as the Texas average. 22% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Jacksonville is about 13 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Rusk work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $53,438, income per person is $15,658, unemployment is 11% and 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
2
Pharmacies
5
Restaurants
24
Cafes
3
Bars
2
Parks
5
Gyms
2
Hospitals and urgent care
2
Childcare
2
Libraries
1

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income32% lower than Texas$53,438$78,476$80,734
Income per person62% lower than Texas$15,658$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate6 points higher than Texas11%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line5 points lower than Texas8.5%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher23 points lower than Texas11%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher15 points lower than Texas71%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance1 points higher than Texas21%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet17 points lower than Texas75%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commuteAbout the same as Texas27 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home7 points higher than Texas22%14%15%
Workers who work from home22%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0.9%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Rusk

Under 1814%
18 to 3429%
35 to 6444%
65 and over12%

Median age 39.0 years. 42% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White49%
Hispanic or Latino17%
Black29%
Asian0.8%
Other or more than one race5.0%

Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

Weather in Rusk

Rusk has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 91°F and January lows about 37°F. There are about 69 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 50 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Rusk30°50°70°90°56J60F67M74A81M87J91J92A86S76O65N58DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Rusk, 1 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is moderate, hurricane risk is high, tornado risk is high and hail risk is moderate. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.

  • River floodingModerate
  • HurricanesHigh
  • TornadoesHigh
  • HailModerate
  • Heat wavesVery high
  • WildfiresHigh
  • Winter stormsHigh
  • Strong windVery high

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.

Places near Rusk

Nearby, Alto gets a D+, Jacksonville gets a D and Troup gets an F. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

  1. D+AltoTown, 1,222 people11 mi
  2. DJacksonvilleSmall city, 14,325 people13 mi
  3. FTroupTown, 2,338 people24 mi
  4. ABullardTown, 4,346 people26 mi
  5. C+ShadybrookTown, 2,810 people26 mi
  6. ABerryvilleTown, 1,184 people26 mi

Living in Rusk: common questions

Is Rusk, TX a good place to live?

Rusk gets an overall grade of C+ and ranks 325th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and errands and things to do, and trails on education levels and internet access. It is a strong pick for people on a budget.

How much does it cost to live in Rusk?

Renters in Rusk pay a median of $643 a month, 54% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $157,400, 45% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 2.9x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $1,005, including property tax.

Is Rusk safe?

In 2025, Rusk Police Department reported 161 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 58% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 501 per 100,000, 76% lower than the Texas rate.

Are the schools good in Rusk?

We found 5 rated public school campuses inside Rusk. 80% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 66 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

Does Rusk flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Rusk as moderate, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves, wildfires, winter storms and strong wind. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.

What is the weather like in Rusk?

Summers in Rusk peak at about 91°F in July, and January nights fall to about 37°F. Expect around 69 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 50 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Rusk?

The average one-way commute is 27 min, about the same as the Texas average. About 22% of workers work from home. It is about 13 miles from downtown Jacksonville.

Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.