Rusk, Texas
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Rusk is a city located in Cherokee County, Texas. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 5,085. It is the county seat of Cherokee CountyTemplate:GR.
Geography
TXMap-doton-Rusk.PNG
Location of Rusk, Texas
Rusk is located at 31°47'54" North, 95°8'60" West (31.798254, -95.149865)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.7 km² (6.8 mi²). 17.7 km² (6.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.29% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 5,085 people, 1,306 households, and 867 families residing in the city. The population density is 287.9/km² (745.4/mi²). There are 1,539 housing units at an average density of 87.1/km² (225.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 62.71% White, 30.01% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.96% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 5.15% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. 6.92% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,306 households out of which 32.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.6% are married couples living together, 17.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% are non-families. 30.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 16.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.44 and the average family size is 3.05.
In the city the population is spread out with 17.3% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 39.3% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 154.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 168.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $27,370, and the median income for a family is $33,952. Males have a median income of $24,271 versus $22,438 for females. The per capita income for the city is $11,688. 21.5% of the population and 16.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 29.4% of those under the age of 18 and 21.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
The presence of a prison unit in the city skews the demographics of the city considerably. The two prison units house approximately 1,250 inmates at any given time, making the actual population of the city closer to 3,835. This also effects all other demographic statistics such as ratio of males to females, the racial makeup of the city and the poverty rate.
Rusk is also home to the Texas State Railroad, Thunder Mountain Raceway, Cherokee County Motorsports park (drag racing), Jim Hogg Park, Rusk State Park, Gourmet Gardens, the nations longest footbridge (circa 1861), many historical sites, great stores and restaurants, friendly people and fun things to do.