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Ralston, IA

Iowa

Ralston is a small town in Iowa with a population of 66. Residents earn $67,500 per year, which is 10% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
66 Population 34/sq mi density
$67,500 Median Income $29,083 per capita
$86,700 Home Value
$725 Median Rent 22.5% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$67,500 median income, 1.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$86,700 home value, $725/mo rent
F
Education
1.3 / 5.0
4.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $67,500
10% lower than US avg
Home Value $86,700
69% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 4.3%
87% lower than US avg
Median Rent $725
38% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.3%
19% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.8%
50% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 18.2%
47% higher than US avg

How Ralston Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population66
Median Age41.8 yrs
Density34/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 92%
Veterans51.0%

Economy

B+
Median Income$67,500
Per Capita$29,083
Unemployment1.8%
Poverty18.2%
County GDP$1,837M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$86,700
Rent$725
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units34
Rent Burden22.5%

Health

Obesity38.3%
Uninsured7.3%
Smoking15.5%
Depression20.2%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F (9°C)
AQI43 (Good)
Rain33.7 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation1,114 ft (340 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+4.3%
High School+100.0%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 28%
Commute21 min
Broadband28.0%
Libraries4

Is Ralston a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ralston receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate. Ralston offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ralston is $67,500, 10% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.8%. The poverty rate of 18.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ralston is $86,700, 69% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $725 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

4.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 100.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Ralston experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 33.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Ralston has a population of 66 with a density of 34 people per square mile. The median age is 41.8 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.4%), with 3% Hispanic.

Population

66
Total Population
34
People / sq mi
41.8yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
2.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47%
Female 53%

Race & Ethnicity

Ralston vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ralston vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ralston is $67,500, which is 10% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 18.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Ralston vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$67,500
10% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,083
Avg Weekly Wage$974
IRS Avg AGI$85,620

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.8%
50% below US avg
Poverty Rate18.2%
47% above US avg
Establishments (County)968
County GDP$1,837M

Business (County)

Restaurants60
Healthcare103
Retail127
Manufacturing33

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,363
25% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.03%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.0 min
Drive Alone81.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Ralston is $86,700, 69% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $725 (38% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$86,700
69% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$725
38% below US avg
Rent Burden22.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$738
1 Bedroom$788
2 Bedrooms$989
3 Bedrooms$1,282
4 Bedrooms$1,420

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied85.7%
Housing Units34
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,363
25% above US avg
Effective Rate5.03%
In Ralston, 38.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.3% of residents lack health insurance. 15.5% are current smokers. 20.2% report depression. 23.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Ralston vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.3%
19% above US avg
Diabetes8.8%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure30.1%
Asthma9.6%
COPD5.7%
Cancer7.3%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.5%
11% above US avg
Binge Drinking24.7%
Physical Inactivity23.8%
Depression20.2%
Mental Distress16.9%
Physical Distress11.8%
Short Sleep32.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.1%
Uninsured7.3%
15% below US avg
Checkup Rate74.4%
Dental Visits65.9%
Premature Death6,828/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.2/10
Exercise Access74.5%
Healthcare Facilities103
Ralston has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.7 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.3°F
11% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.7 inches
11% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,114 ft (340 m)
Area2.0 sq mi (5.1 km²)
Population Density34/sq mi
Coordinates42.0419°N, 94.6293°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS19027
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 4.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (87% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 41.9-point margin. 28.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.3%
D 28.4%

Winner: Republican by 41.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+4.3%
87% below US avg
High School+100.0%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.73
F Education Grade (1.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density34/sq mi
Total Area2.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access28.0%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities103
Restaurants60
Retail Stores127

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.0 min
Drive Alone81.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.7%

Nearby Cities

Glidden, IA 1,153 pop · 5.1 mi Coon Rapids, IA 1,403 pop · 11.8 mi Carroll, IA 10,261 pop · 12.2 mi Jefferson, IA 4,164 pop · 12.9 mi Lake City, IA 1,652 pop · 16.5 mi Manning, IA 1,474 pop · 24.1 mi Rockwell City, IA 2,449 pop · 24.6 mi Guthrie Center, IA 1,603 pop · 26.0 mi Audubon, IA 2,069 pop · 27.2 mi Lake View, IA 1,021 pop · 27.5 mi Panora, IA 1,520 pop · 27.8 mi Ogden, IA 1,902 pop · 30.8 mi Perry, IA 7,928 pop · 30.9 mi Sac City, IA 1,782 pop · 32.3 mi
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