Ralston city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Ralston city is a small community located in Iowa. The total population is 66. It ranks as the 911th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.

Age Demographics

The median age in Ralston city is 41.8 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. 10.6% 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 Ralston city is $67,500. This is 8% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 14% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.2%. This is 93% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $86,700. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x, Ralston city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 85.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% higher than the state average of 71.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

Ralston city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.5%.

Education

4.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 86% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 100.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Ralston city, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,018 Census-designated places in Iowa. For official data, visit data.census.gov.