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Ralston, IA
Full City Profile · Iowa · Carroll County County
2.8
/5.0
C+
Fair
66
Population
34/sq mi density
$67,500
Median Income
$29,083 per capita
$86,700
Home Value
$175,589 Zillow
48°F
Avg Temperature
260 sunny days/yr
130
Violent Crime/100K
941 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair 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, /mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
130 violent crimes/100K
F
Education
1.3 / 5.0
4.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Ralston experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 33.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
Temperature
19°F Jan (-7°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 48.3°F |
| 11% below US avg | |
| January Average | 19°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 260 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,114 ft (340 m) |
| Area | 2.0 sq mi (5.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 34/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.0419°N, 94.6293°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Carroll County County |
| Nearest Airport | Fort Dodge Regional (FOD) 42 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 57.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 23.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 94.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 49°F (10°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 71°F (21°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 2.5 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 1.6 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.1 in |
Ralston has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 19°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.7") and January the driest (0.8").