Ruthven, IA

Iowa

Ruthven is a small town in Iowa with a population of 766. Residents earn $58,750 per year, which is 22% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
766 Population 1,868/sq mi density
$58,750 Median Income $28,210 per capita
$103,400 Home Value $174,396 Zillow
$650 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$58,750 median income, 0.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$103,400 home value, $650/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $58,750
22% lower than US avg
Home Value $103,400
63% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.4%
54% lower than US avg
Median Rent $650
44% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.6%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.8%
78% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.1%
51% lower than US avg

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

People

Population766
Median Age36.6 yrs
Density1,868/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 82%

Economy

A
Median Income$58,750
Per Capita$28,210
Unemployment0.8%
Poverty6.1%
County GDP$796M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$103,400
Rent$650
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$174,396

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.2%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain33.6 in/yr
Elevation1,436 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.4%
High School+94.0%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 27%
Commute23 min
Libraries5

Is Ruthven a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ruthven receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Ruthven offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ruthven is $58,750, 22% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.8%. Only 6.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ruthven is $103,400, 63% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $650 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

15.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Ruthven experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.6 inches, including 37.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Ruthven has a population of 766 with a density of 1,868 people per square mile. The median age is 36.6 years, 6% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (81.7%).

Population

766
Total Population
1,868
People / sq mi
36.6yrs
Median Age
6% below US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.9%
Female 55.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Ruthven vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.4%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.6%
66% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ruthven vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ruthven is $58,750, which is 22% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Ruthven vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$58,750
22% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,210
Avg Weekly Wage$912
IRS Avg AGI$71,314

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.8%
78% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.1%
51% below US avg
Establishments (County)336
County GDP$796M

Business (County)

Restaurants25
Healthcare32
Retail41
Manufacturing19

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,525
1% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.41%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.8 min
Work from Home6.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Ruthven is $103,400, 63% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $650 (44% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $174,396.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$103,400
63% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$174,396

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$650
44% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied76.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,525
1% above US avg
Effective Rate3.41%
In Ruthven, 39.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.2% report depression. 22.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.6%
23% above US avg
Diabetes8.9%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure30.0%
Asthma10.0%
COPD5.7%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.3%
Physical Inactivity22.3%
Depression21.2%
Mental Distress17.1%
Physical Distress11.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.6%
Checkup Rate75.4%
Premature Death7,822/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access71.9%
Healthcare Facilities32

Crime Rates: Ruthven vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Ruthven has an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.3°F
12% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.6 inches
12% below US avg
Snowfall37.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,436 ft (438 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²)
Population Density1,868/sq mi
Coordinates43.1301°N, 94.8987°W
County FIPS19147
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 15.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (54% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 45-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.9%
D 26.9%

Winner: Republican by 45 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.4%
54% below US avg
High School+94.0%
School Test Score5.73
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density1,868/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities32
Restaurants25
Retail Stores41

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.8 min
Work from Home6.1%

Nearby Cities

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