RANK #828 / 996 · POP 52,755 · TX
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.8%
Rusk County, Texas, is often recognized for its deep ties to the East Texas Oil Field, a discovery in 1930 that dramatically reshaped the area. Located in the Piney Woods of East Texas, about 120 miles southeast of Dallas and 75 miles west-southwest of Shreveport, Louisiana, the county offers a rural feel with rolling hills, narrow valleys, and abundant forests. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing, and paddling at places like Martin Creek Lake State Park and the Texas State Railroad State Park. The county seat, Henderson, serves as a central hub, and residents generally experience a commute time around 23 minutes.
Life in Rusk County blends a sense of community with access to natural amenities. Families are served by several school districts, including Henderson ISD and Tatum ISD. While many residents own their homes, public transportation options like GoBus Transit provide curb-to-curb service within the county and to nearby urban areas like Longview and Tyler. The economy, historically driven by agriculture and oil, is seeing new developments, such as a $15 million project to revitalize the Henderson Overton Branch rail line, aiming to create jobs and enhance the county's industrial infrastructure.
Contracting economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.6x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Rusk County has a Boom Town Index score of 17/100, ranking #828 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -2.4% and a median household income of $61,661, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Rusk County is $148,100 with median rent at $963/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4163, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.4% year-over-year. Job growth: -2.4%. Home values changed +0.9% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 10.52% of Rusk County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.