On the eastern end of Texas, close to the Louisiana border, Henderson offers affordable homes and a strong sense of community. The city was founded in 1843, before the state of Texas was founded, and named after the first governor of Texas. In present day, the city of about 13,000 is the county seat of Rusk County. “We’ve still got the small-town feel. There’s a lot of people helping people. If someone in our area needs help, the community steps up. That’s important to a lot of people,” says Martha McDougal, an associate broker with Century 21 Heritage Realty and Henderson resident. McDougal notes that because of that, the city has a lot of longtime residents. The job market in Henderson is slow but steady, with education, Bradshaw State Jail and law enforcement bringing in most of the employment.
A vibrant oil mural brings color and life to downtown Henderson.
Henderson city's heartbeat shines through from the sky, showcasing its vibrancy.
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Homes priced lower than the national median
The median single-family home price in Henderson is around $255,000, well below the national median. Many homes in the city were built between the 1960s and ’80s, though it’s not uncommon to find a home built around the 1920s. Ranch homes are common, though there are some bungalows and Victorian homes as well. Plenty of land is still available on the outskirts of the city in neighborhoods like the Terra Nova subdivision. “Mostly people here buy a lot and custom build,” McDougal says. “We would love to have someone come in and build new subdivisions, though.”
In Henderson, charming single-family homes in the area priced around $255k.
Victorian-style homes add charm to the neighborhood in Henderson.
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Downtown Henderson has local shops and restaurants
Downtown Henderson is the city’s hub for local shops, businesses and restaurants. The downtown area has everything from government buildings to boutique shops and antique stores. Much of the city’s dining options are along US-79, ranging from fast-food spots to local sit-down restaurants.
Campfire Coffee serves Henderson locals with brews in a cozy setting.
Henderson offers a variety of antique shops for treasure hunters to explore.
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Old fashioned cane syrup at the Heritage Syrup Festival
Henderson’s downtown area is also home to several city events throughout the year, including Main Street Mardi Gras and one of Henderson’s longest-running events, the Heritage Syrup Festival. Known by locals as “the sweetest festival in Texas,” the popular event features live music, local vendors and a petting zoo, plus old-fashioned cane syrup made using mule-powered equipment. Part of the festival takes place at the Depot Museum, home to the Rusk County History Museum and Children’s Discovery Center.
Locals enjoy performances at Henderson Civic Theater inside the historic Opera House.
The Museum Depot in Henderson showcases the town's rich history and local heritage.
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State Highway 64 makes an easy route to Tyler
Many residents in Henderson drive to get around due to a lack of public transportation. However, the city’s proximity to State Highway 64 makes it easy for residents to get to Tyler, the nearest major city, which is about 34 miles away. The closest regional airport is the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, which is about 41 miles away. The airport flies commercial service to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
Henderson Independent School District
The Henderson Independent School District receives a B-minus from Niche. The district has a student body of about 3,400 spread across its six schools, making it the biggest school district in Rusk County. Henderson is also home to the Full Armor Christian Academy, a faith-based private school teaching students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
The Trammell Schoolhouse preserves a piece of Henderson's educational history.
Henderson High School is a key educational institution in the heart of the community.
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Waterside activities at Lake Martin
Most Henderson residents are a walk or short drive away from one of the city’s five parks. Dog owners can take their pups to the Fair Paws Dog Park, which has two sections, one each for small or large dogs. Parks with pavilions can be rented out by residents for birthday parties or other celebrations. The Henderson Sports Complex, on the outskirts of the city, has several ball fields often used for Little League games. For a day on the water, Henderson is about 17 miles from Lake Martin. For the most part, Henderson has hot and humid summers, while winters are typically short and mild.
Henderson locals enjoy fishing at the lake at Forest Lake Park.
Henderson families gather and enjoy quality time at Fair Park.
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A higher crime rate than the national median
According to the Henderson Police Department, the city saw an overall rise in property and violent crimes from 2022 to 2023. The city reported a crime rate higher than the national figure.
Written By
Robert Breckenridge
Photography Contributed By
Aylin Reyna
Video By
Sara Warthen
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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PARTIALLY WOODED AND FRESHLY MULCHED NEW LISTING ON OVER 10 AC LESS THAN 1 MINUTES FROM HENDERSON STAR INTERSECTION. LOTS OF ROAD FRONTAGE ON 43 AND HUBBARD WITH EASY ACCESS. GREAT DEVELOPMENT, COMMERCIAL TRACT OR SEVERAL BUILDING SITES.
EXCELLENT HUNTING RETREAT / RECREATIONAL TRACT ON 123 ACRES JUST 10 MINUTES SOUTH OF HENDERSON OFF HWY 259. POND, CREEK AND SEVERAL OPEN AREAS AND WOODED AREAS FOR HUNTING.
8 LOTS AVAILABLE WITH SEVERAL NEW HOMES ACROSS STREET. GREAT LOCATION LESS THAN ONE MILE FROM STAR IN HENDERSON OFF HWY 79 EAST. DISCOUNT FOR MULTIPLE LOTS.
MOTIVATED SELLER WITH THIS Prime Residential Lot in the Heart of Henderson, TX. Discover an incredible opportunity to build in one of Henderson’s most convenient and desirable locations! This versatile residential lot offers endless possibilities—perfect for single-family homes, duplexes, or multi-unit housing. Centrally located near the hospital, restaurants, shopping, and local amenities, this
GREAL LOCATION NEAR DOWNTOWN, 3 BR 2 BATH , HARDWOOD FLOORS , SOME UPDATING. All offers must be submitted by the Buyer's agent via the RES.NET Agent Portal. If your offer is accepted, you agree to be responsible for an offer submission technology fee of $225.00. The fee will be collected and disbursed by the settlement agent and disbursed at the closing and settlement of the transaction. To
PARTIALLY WOODED AND FRESHLY MULCHED NEW LISTING ON OVER 10 AC LESS THAN 1 MINUTES FROM HENDERSON STAR INTERSECTION. LOTS OF ROAD FRONTAGE ON 43 AND HUBBARD WITH EASY ACCESS. GREAT DEVELOPMENT, COMMERCIAL TRACT OR SEVERAL BUILDING SITES.
PARTIALLY WOODED AND FRESHLY MULCHED NEW LISTING ON OVER 10 AC LESS THAN 1 MINUTES FROM HENDERSON STAR INTERSECTION. LOTS OF ROAD FRONTAGE ON 43 AND HUBBARD WITH EASY ACCESS. GREAT DEVELOPMENT, COMMERCIAL TRACT OR SEVERAL BUILDING SITES.
Escape the ordinary and step into opportunity with this sprawling 70+ acre property offering boundless potential. Newly constructed, this stunning home offers the perfect combination of style, comfort, and functionality, designed for those who appreciate the beauty of nature and the luxury of a contemporary build. Boasting three spacious bedrooms and three bathrooms, the open-concept living space
SHELLEY WHITETexas Real Estate Executives - Longview
The property is centrally located between Tyler and Longview, Texas, each being about a 30-minute drive. Both Tyler and Longview each have commercial airports, restaurants, shopping and a variety of entertainment options. The home is also about an hour to Shreveport, LA, two hours to Dallas, TX and three hours to Houston, TX. Large 4-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home with an attached guest
Mostly open with apx 200 feet of road frontage on CR 314. There is an oil well on the property using apx 1 acre of land. Seller will furnish a new survey.
SummaryThis 189 (+/-) acre tract is a well-balanced East Texas ranch offering open pastureland, scattered native timber, reliable surface water, and excellent access. Located approximately five miles west-northwest of Henderson in Rusk County, the property features rolling topography, multiple potential homesites, and infrastructure already in place for livestock operations. With full
Great 2 bedroom 2 bath rental in established neighborhood new paint, stoarage building, fenced back yard, corner lot $1300 a month $1300 dep. no aggressive dog breeds and no dogs over 50 lbs. $250 nonrefundable pet deposit, no smoking in the house
Donna WilderColdwell Banker Home Place Realty - Henderson
Property Id: 762003Welcome to your new home at 127 Willowbrook Dr in Henderson, TX! This charming single-family property features 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and off-street parking. With laminate flooring, a spacious lawn, and washer/dryer hookups, this cozy home is perfect for you and your furry friends (cats and small dogs allowed). Enjoy the convenience of included utilities (garbage,
Property Id: 1608444Welcome to your charming 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom single-family home in Henderson, TX. Built in 1910, this historic gem features modern amenities like a dishwasher, oven, and central HVAC. Enjoy hardwood floors, a fenced yard, and carport. Pet-friendly for small dogs and cats. Don't miss out on this cozy retreat for $900/month. Call now to schedule a showing!
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