Ellston, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026

A note before these figures: with a population of 28, Ellston's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.

Population Overview

Ellston is a small community located in Iowa, within Ringgold County. The total population is 28. It ranks as the 988th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.

Age Demographics

The median age in Ellston is 35.7 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 35.7% of the population under 18, Ellston has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 21.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Ellston is $69,167. This is 8% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 14% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.6%. This is 68% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Ellston, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 78.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% higher than the state average of 71.7%.

Race & Ethnicity

Every resident counted in Ellston was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.

Education

27.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Ellston, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.