[3] Rush Center was originally called Walnut City,[1] and under the latter name was laid out in 1871.

[5] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.39 square miles (1.01 km2), all of it land.

33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The racial makeup of the city was 98.86% White, 0.57% Native American, and 0.57% from two or more races.

None of the families and 5.6% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 13.2% of those over 64.

The community is served by La Crosse USD 395 public school district.