Rusk County, Texas

Rusk County: County in Texas, United States

About

Rusk County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 53,330 and a population density of 22 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 county had an estimated population of 54,324 inhabitants. Its county seat is Henderson. The county was created 181 years ago in 1842.

Rusk County is located in northeastern Texas near the Louisiana border. As of the 2020 census, the population was 54,406 making it the 40th most populous county in Texas. The county seat is Henderson.

History

Early days

Rusk County was established in 1843 under the Republic of Texas. It was named for Thomas Jefferson Rusk, a secretary of war. Henderson was designated the county seat in 1844.

Growth

The county economy was initially based on cotton cultivation and livestock ranching. In the 1930s, oil discoveries brought industrial growth.

Economy

Oil and gas

Oil and natural gas production is a major economic driver. Major reserves like the East Texas Oil Field are partially located in Rusk County.

Manufacturing

With an affordable labor force, the county has attracted manufacturing plants producing transportation equipment, furniture, and metal products.

Agriculture

Poultry and egg production, cattle ranching, and growing hay and fruits remain important agricultural activities.

Attractions

Top attractions include:

  • Russ Forest - 3,000 acre nature education area
  • Killough Monument - commemorates early settlers
  • Texas Forest Trail - scenic driving route through East Texas forests
Rusk County locator map
Location of Rusk County on Texas map.

Quick Facts about Rusk County

Population : 54,324 (2020)
Country : United States of America
State : Texas (United States)
Different from : Rusk County
Area : 2431 km2
Water as percent of area : 1.5%
Land as percent of area : 98.5%
Named for : Thomas Jefferson Rusk
Altitude : 440 feet / 134 meters
Capital : Henderson
Establishment : January 01, 1843
Time Zone : Central Time Zone
Local time : 10:57:42 (21st December 2024)
Density : 22 Pop. per km² as of 2020
Population growth : 1.83% (2010-2020)
Rusk County Courthouse Henderson TX IMG 2967 image
Rusk County Courthouse Henderson TX IMG 2967
Rusk County Courthouse Henderson TX IMG 2967 image
Rusk County Courthouse Henderson TX IMG 2967 image

Geography

Rusk County is located at 32°6'28"N 94°45'43"W (32.1077200, -94.7618800). It has 7 neighbors: Cherokee County, Gregg County, Harrison County, Nacogdoches County, Panola County, Shelby County and Smith County.

Rusk County map

Click "full screen" full screen map icon to open full mode. View satellite images

The largest city of Rusk County is Henderson with a population of 13,049. Other cities include, Overton population 2,503, Tatum population 1,417, New London population 1,013 and Easton population 525. See all Rusk County cities & populated places.

Rusk County Populated Places

Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Rusk County.

City Name Population Title
Henderson 13,049 City in Rusk County, Texas, United States
Overton 2,503 City in Texas, USA
Tatum 1,417 City in Rusk County, Texas, United States
New London 1,013 City in Rusk County, Texas, United States
Easton 525 City in Texas
Mount Enterprise 433 City in Rusk County, Texas, United States
Reklaw 391 City in Texas, United States

Rusk County has 7 neighbours.

  • Henderson

Demographics

The population of Rusk County increased by 1.83% in 10 years.

Year Population % Change Method
2010 53,330 - census
2011 53,702 0.69% estimation process
2012 53,793 0.17% estimation process
2013 53,332 -0.86% estimation process
2014 53,212 -0.23% estimation process
2015 52,965 -0.47% estimation process
2016 52,892 -0.14% estimation process
2017 54,213 2.44% estimation process
2018 54,301 0.16% estimation process
2019 54,406 0.19% estimation process
2020 54,324 -0.15% estimation process

Comitatul Rusk, Comte de Rusk, Comté de Rusk, Condado de Rusk, Condado han Rusk, Contea di Rusk, Hrabstwo Rusk, Kantono Rusk, Okrug Rask, Quan Rusk, Quận Rusk, Rask, Rask srjan, Rusk, Rusk Comitatus, Rusk Kun, Rusk Kūn, Rusk konderria, Rusk megye, Ruski maakond, la si ke xian, mqatʿt rwsk, raska ka'unti, rasuku jun, shhrstan rask tgzas, Округ Раск, Раск, Ръск, Ռասկ շրջան, رسک کاؤنٹی, رسک کاؤنٹی، ٹیکساس, شهرستان راسک، تگزاس, مقاطعة روسك, রাস্ক কাউন্টি, ラスク郡, 臘斯克縣

People born in Rusk County (6)

People born in Rusk County, including actress Caroline Williams, poet Cyd Adams, Texas state legislator Trent Ashby, .

List

  • Ellen Lawson Dabbs (American physician, activist, writer) she was born in 25/04/1853
  • Ally Venable (Texas Blues-Rock Artist) she was born in 07/04/1999
  • Lena Harnage Adair (Cherokee poet) she was born in 01/11/1869

Other places with the same name (2)

Texas Other Counties (more counties)

County Name Population Title
Harris County 4,738,253 County in Texas, United States
Dallas County 2,635,888 County in Texas, United States
Houston 2,316,120 The fourth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Houston metropolitan area.
Tarrant County 2,123,347 County in Texas, United States
Bexar County 2,026,823 County in Texas, United States
San Antonio 1,567,118 The seventh most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Antonio metropolitan area.
Dallas 1,343,266 The ninth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.
Travis County 1,300,503 County in Texas, United States
Collin County 1,072,069 County in Texas, United States
Austin 995,484 The eleventh most populous city in the United States and the center of the Austin metropolitan area.
Fort Worth 927,720 The twelfth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.
Denton County 919,324 County in Texas, United States
Montopolis 912,791 A neighborhood located in Austin, Texas.
Hidalgo County 875,200 County in New Mexico, United States
El Paso County 841,286 County in Texas, United States
Fort Bend County 839,706 County in Texas, United States