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CITY

Ralston

Iowa · 75 residents (2025 est.) · 1.971 sq mi
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The short version

Ralston has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $62,917. Population has fallen 38% since 2000, a loss of 37 residents. 5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $83,000. The poverty rate of 26.2% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
5% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 46%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
61
−38%since 2000
from 98 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
31 / sq mi
−38%since 2000
from 50 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.8
−5%since 2000
from 40.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:75 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5476981201421990201020202024Ralston
202461
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$62,917
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,375 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,792
+70%since 2000
from $15,746 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
40.0%
+40.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
26.2%
+25.3 ptssince 2000
from 0.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.367
−1%since 2010
from 0.369 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Finance & insurance36.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical27.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Information18.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade9.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Education & health services9.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Wholesale trade4.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$83,000
+46%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
84.0%
+7.1 ptssince 2000
from 76.9% in 2000
16.0% rent
Vacancy rate
13.8%
+13.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
9.5%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 14.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
50.0%
+37.5 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.3
+45%since 2000
from 0.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
46
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ralston on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic100%(98)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0%(0)
2024
White, non-Hispanic88.5%(54)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino8.2%(5)
Asian0%(0)
Other3.3%(2)
Diversity Score26.1%(16)
Diversity Score
26
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
4.8%
−3.6 ptssince 2000
from 8.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
100.0%
+20.8 ptssince 2000
from 79.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 0.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.7 min
+9%since 2000
from 18.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
86.4%
+30.4 ptssince 2009
from 56.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
9.1%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.5%
−6.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−21.4 ptssince 2009
from 21.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.0%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.3%
+8.3 ptssince 2011
from 0.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
47.1%
−35.2 ptssince 2011
from 82.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
9.1%
+9.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
9.1%
−57.2 ptssince 2009
from 66.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
39.3%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 44.4% in 2009
Female
60.7%
+5.0 ptssince 2009
from 55.6% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.5%
−40.2 ptssince 2009
from 44.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.4%
+6.8 ptssince 2012
from 9.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
11.5%
−88.5 ptssince 2013
from 100.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
96.0%
+24.9 ptssince 2017
from 71.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 100.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Ralston, Iowa?

Ralston, Iowa has about 61 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ralston, Iowa?

The typical household in Ralston, Iowa earns about $62,917 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ralston, Iowa expensive?

In Ralston, Iowa, the median home is worth about $83,000.

How educated are people in Ralston, Iowa?

About 4.8% of adults age 25 and over in Ralston, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ralston, Iowa?

About 26.2% of people in Ralston, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ralston, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Ralston, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 44 residents, a change of about -42 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Ralston, Iowa: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy