The 1850 Federal Census for Rusk County contains only one division with about 146 pages and most of it was enumerated in the fall. The census gives names, ages, places of birth, values of real estate, Color (White, black or mulatto) and occupations but also has columns for married within the year, attended school within the year, person over 20 who cannot read or write and "Whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane, idiotic, pauper or convict"; which can make interesting notes. There are images and a transcription at the Rusk County USGenWeb Archives Project site, along with a slave schedule and mortality schedule.

In 1860, the Federal Census includes 14 'beats' for Rusk County with about 245 pages and almost twice as many residents as in 1850. In addition to the 1850 columns, this census asked for value of personal property. In 1860, Rusk was the most populous county in the state. There are images and a transcription, with a mortality, schedule at the Rusk County USGenWeb Archives Project site.

The 1870 Rusk County Federal Census is divided into five precincts and the city of Henderson with about 420 pages. This census added columns for born within the year (asking for the month), whether parents were foreign-born and two questions about men over 20 (voting information). Folks with a free account can search and view this census at FamilySearch.org.

In 1880, the the Federal Census for Rusk County contains six precincts and the towns of Henderson, Overton and New Salem. These areas are further broken into enumeration districts. This is the first census to ask for marital status and relationships within a household. You can search and view this census at FamilySearch.org.

The 1900 Federal Census for Rusk County contains 15 enumeration districts that cover 8 precincts, including the cities of Henderson and Overton. This is the first census to ask for years married and asks women how many children they've borne and how many are living. It also asked for the month and year that each person was born, the year they immigrated and whether they own or rent their homes. There are also colums for street addresses but they were not generally used in rural areas. There is a transcription for precincts 12 and 14 at the Rusk County USGenWeb Archives Project site.

1910 - This is the second census that asked for number of years married, number of children borne by females and number of living children. The index to this census is available to everyone with a free account at the LDS on-line library.

The 1920 census was enumerated in January and many families were missed, likely due to weather. It offers very little in the way of extra information except for the names of the roads on which the people lived. The index to this census is available to everyone with a free account at the LDS on-line library.

The 1930 offers addresses for folks in town, age at first marriage and veteran status. The index to this census is available to everyone with a free account at the LDS on-line library.

The 1940 offers addresses for folks in town, education level, residence in 1935, employment status and total income for 1939. The index to this census is available to everyone with a free account at the LDS on-line library.