| | Ruston, LA | Natchitoches, LA | United States |
| Population | 22,286 | 18,105 | 329,725,481 |
| Female Population | 50.8% | 53.7% | 50.5% |
| Male Population | 49.2% | 46.3% | 49.5% |
| Median Age | 24.1 | 25.9 | 38.4 |
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| Population - 2010 | 21,925 | 18,515 | 309,327,143 |
| Population - 2000 | 20,546 | 17,865 | 285,036,114 |
| Population - 1990 | 20,027 | 16,609 | 251,960,433 |
| Pop. 2000 to Now | 6.6% | -3.8% | 15.6% |
| Pop. 1990 to Now | 9.3% | 3.5% | 30.8% |
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| Population Density | 1,058.7 | 796.5 | 93.4 |
| Land Area | 21.1 | 22.7 | 3,531,905.4 |
| Water Area | 0.1 | 3.7 | 264,836.8 |
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| Est. Total Population By Age | | | |
| | Ruston, LA | Natchitoches, LA | United States |
| Age 0 to 4 | 5.2% | 7.0% | 5.9% |
| Age 5 to 9 | 4.6% | 5.8% | 6.1% |
| Age 10 to 14 | 4.1% | 6.9% | 6.6% |
| Age 15 to 17 | 2.7% | 3.8% | 3.9% |
| Age 18 to 20 | 16.7% | 15.5% | 4.0% |
| Age 21 to 24 | 20.5% | 10.1% | 5.2% |
| Age 25 to 34 | 13.3% | 12.1% | 13.8% |
| Age 35 to 44 | 8.4% | 9.7% | 12.9% |
| Age 45 to 54 | 6.2% | 7.9% | 12.6% |
| Age 55 to 59 | 3.4% | 4.3% | 6.7% |
| Age 60 to 64 | 4.0% | 4.5% | 6.3% |
| Age 65 to 74 | 6.5% | 7.4% | 9.6% |
| Age 75 to 84 | 2.6% | 3.7% | 4.5% |
| Age 85 and over | 2.0% | 1.4% | 1.9% |
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| Race | | | |
| | Ruston, LA | Natchitoches, LA | United States |
| White | 47.1% | 36.2% | 59.4% |
| Black | 42.1% | 57.2% | 12.2% |
| Asian | 2.8% | 0.2% | 5.6% |
| Native American | 1.0% | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Hawaiian, Pacific Islander | 0.2% | 0.0% | 0.2% |
| Other | 0.5% | 1.2% | 0.4% |
| Two or More Races | 2.3% | 1.7% | 3.2% |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 3.4% | 18.4% |
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| Marriage & Family | | | |
| | Ruston, LA | Natchitoches, LA | United States |
| Married Population | 25.9% | 26.6% | 49.8% |
| Currently Married | 24.2% | 24.2% | 48.0% |
| Married but Separated | 1.6% | 2.4% | 1.8% |
| Single Population | 74.1% | 73.4% | 50.2% |
| Never Married | 62.9% | 58.6% | 33.8% |
| Divorced | 6.5% | 9.2% | 10.8% |
| Widowed | 4.7% | 5.6% | 5.6% |
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| Household Size | 2.59 | 2.82 | 2.60 |
| Households | 7,868 | 5,888 | 124,010,992 |
| Family Households | 3,885 | 2,869 | 80,755,759 |
| Married couple, w/children | 19.4% | 20.5% | 30.5% |
| Married couple, no children | 34.3% | 33.0% | 42.9% |
| Non Family Households | 3,983 | 3,019 | 43,255,233 |
| Single householder, w/children | 28.6% | 28.6% | 15.8% |
| Single householder, no children | 17.7% | 18.0% | 10.8% |