Rusk County Demographics

A map of Rusk County's Population by Race

Rusk County, Wisconsin has an estimated population of 14,179, a less than 1% change from the 14,188 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 93.1% White, 2.8% Multiracial, 2.1% Hispanic, 1.2% Black, 0.5% Native American/Other, and 0.4% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Rusk County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Rusk has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Wisconsin overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Rusk County, that probability was 12.2% in 2020 and 13.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Rusk County is ranked the 65th most populous county in Wisconsin, out of 72 counties. Rusk County was ranked the 65th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Rusk County's White Population

13,194 residents of Rusk County, or 93.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Rusk County is considerably higher than in Wisconsin overall, where 78.6% of the population is White. Rusk County ranks 8th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Rusk County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Rusk County's population has decreased from 93.6% to 93.1%.

Rusk County is more White than neighboring Sawyer County (76.9% White), Chippewa County (92.4% White), Barron County (90.8% White), and Eau Claire County (87.2% White). Rusk County is less White than neighboring Taylor County (93.8% White).

Rusk County's Black Population

164 residents of Rusk County, or 1.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Rusk County is slightly lower than in Wisconsin overall, where 5.9% of the population is Black. Rusk County ranks 58th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Rusk County's Black population has grown by an estimated 272.7%. Black residents' share of Rusk County's population has increased from 0.3% to 1.2%.

Rusk County is more Black than neighboring Sawyer County (0.6% Black), and Taylor County (0.3% Black). Rusk County is less Black than neighboring Chippewa County (1.4% Black), and Barron County (1.3% Black).

Rusk County's Asian Population

52 residents of Rusk County, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Rusk County is slightly lower than in Wisconsin overall, where 2.9% of the population is Asian. Rusk County ranks 51st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Rusk County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 1.9%. Asian residents' share of Rusk County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Rusk County is more Asian than neighboring Taylor County (0.3% Asian). Rusk County is less Asian than neighboring Sawyer County (0.6% Asian), Chippewa County (1.3% Asian), Barron County (0.6% Asian), and Eau Claire County (4.1% Asian).

Rusk County's Hispanic Population

296 residents of Rusk County, or 2.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Rusk County is lower than in Wisconsin overall, where 8% of the population is Hispanic. Rusk County ranks 62nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Rusk County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 18.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Rusk County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.1%.

Rusk County is more Hispanic than neighboring Chippewa County (2% Hispanic). Rusk County is less Hispanic than neighboring Sawyer County (2.4% Hispanic), Taylor County (3% Hispanic), Barron County (3.2% Hispanic), and Eau Claire County (3.2% Hispanic).

Rusk County's Native American/Other Population

76 residents of Rusk County, or 0.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Rusk County is comparable to the share in Wisconsin overall, where 0.9% of the population is Native American/Other. Rusk County ranks 36th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Rusk County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 23.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Rusk County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Rusk County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Sawyer County (13.3% Native American/Other), Taylor County (0.7% Native American/Other), Barron County (0.6% Native American/Other), and Eau Claire County (0.7% Native American/Other).

Rusk County's Multiracial Population

397 residents of Rusk County, or 2.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Rusk County is comparable to the share in Wisconsin overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. Rusk County ranks 25th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 72 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Rusk County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 12.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Rusk County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.8%.

Rusk County is more Multiracial than neighboring Chippewa County (2.4% Multiracial), and Taylor County (1.8% Multiracial). Rusk County is less Multiracial than neighboring Sawyer County (6.2% Multiracial), Barron County (3.4% Multiracial), and Eau Claire County (3.5% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.