Ruston is a small city in north-central Louisiana, positioned roughly halfway between the Texas and Mississippi state lines on Interstate 20. The city is perhaps best known as the home of Louisiana tech, which enrolls around 13,000 students and employs hundreds of locals as faculty and staff at its two campuses in town. Grambling State University also sits just west of town, which itself enrolls around 5,000 students.

Serving a diverse local population that includes students from around the country and around the world, Downtown Rustin features a wide selection of cafes and bars, as well as popular venues like the historic Dixie Center for the Arts. The rental market in Rustin features a large number of single family homes as well as apartments and condos, with options available to fit any lifestyle and budget.