RUSK COUNTY, TEXAS

'Rusk County' is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. Originally a part of Nacogdoches County, Rusk was established as its own county by the Congress of the Republic of Texas on January 16, 1843. In 2000, its population was 47,372. Its seat is Henderson⁶ and it is part of the Longview metropolitan area. Rusk County is named for Thomas Jefferson Rusk, a secretary of war of the Republic of Texas.
Rusk County is one of 46 prohibition, or entirely dry, counties in the state of Texas.

Contents

Geography

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Cities and towns

Education

See also

External links

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,431 km² (939 mi²). 2,392 km² (924 mi²) of it is land and 39 km² (15 mi²) of it (1.61%) is water.

Major highways

★ U.S. Highway 79

★ U.S. Highway 84

★ U.S. Highway 259

★ State Highway 42 (Texas)

★ State Highway 43 (Texas)

★ State Highway 64 (Texas)

Adjacent counties

★ Gregg County (north)

★ Harrison County (northeast)

★ Panola County (east)

★ Shelby County (southeast)

★ Nacogdoches County (south)

★ Cherokee County (southwest)

★ Smith County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 47,372 people, 17,364 households, and 12,727 families residing in the county. The population density was 20/km² (51/mi²). There were 19,867 housing units at an average density of 8/km² (22/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 74.89% White, 19.21% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 4.22% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 8.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 17,364 households out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.20% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.70% were non-families. 24.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the county, the population was spread out with 24.90% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 15.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 104.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,898, and the median income for a family was $39,185. Males had a median income of $30,956 versus $19,749 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,674. About 10.90% of families and 14.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.80% of those under age 18 and 13.00% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

★ Easton (mostly in Gregg County)

★ Elderville (unincorporated; partly in Gregg County)

★ Henderson

★ Kilgore (mostly in Gregg County)

★ Laird Hill (unincorporated)

★ Laneville (unincorporated)

★ Leverett's Chapel (unincorporated)

★ Mount Enterprise

★ New London

★ Overton (partly in Smith County)

★ Price (unincorporated)

★ Reklaw (mostly in Cherokee County)

★ Tatum (partly in Panola County)

Education

The following school districts serve Rusk County:

★ Carlisle ISD

★ Cushing ISD (mostly in Nacogdoches County)

★ Garrison ISD (mostly in Nacogdoches County)

★ Henderson ISD

★ Kilgore ISD (mostly in Gregg County)

★ Laneville ISD

★ Leverett's Chapel ISD

★ Mount Enterprise ISD

★ Overton ISD

★ Rusk ISD (mostly in Cherokee County)

★ Tatum ISD (partly in Panola County)

★ West Rusk ISD

See also

★ Dry counties

External links

★ Rusk County government's website

★ Historic materials about Rusk County, hosted by the Portal to Texas History

★

★ Rusk County Sons of Confederate Veterans