Ringsted, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ringsted, Iowa had a total population of 380, the 547th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $51,042, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.9x.
Ringsted Quick Facts
How Ringsted Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 361 | 380 | +5.3% |
| Median household income | $63,250 | $51,042 | -19.3% |
| Median home value | $43,900 | $47,000 | +7.1% |
How Ringsted Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ringsted Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Emmet County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estherville | 5,839 | $54,124 | 12.6% | $101,400 |
| Armstrong | 703 | $58,250 | 5.4% | $90,500 |
| Dolliver | 161 | $90,000 | 0.0% | $59,000 |
| Wallingford | 128 | $71,250 | 1.6% | $63,600 |
| Gruver | 30 | $58,750 | 0.0% | $75,000 |
Cities Similar to Ringsted
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmersburg | 375 | $51,667 | $78,000 | 3.3% | 12.8% |
| Duncombe | 376 | $52,500 | $117,100 | 14.2% | 8.6% |
| Union | 378 | $55,625 | $74,600 | 18.0% | 6.6% |
| New Market | 397 | $50,000 | $102,700 | 11.1% | 17.9% |
| Delta | 363 | $52,083 | $48,100 | 2.6% | 12.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 380, Ringsted'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
Ringsted is a small community located in Iowa, within Emmet County. The total population is 380. It ranks as the 547th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ringsted is 44.0 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ringsted is $51,042. This is 32% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.4%. This is 66% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 2.9%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $47,000. Housing costs are 77% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.9x, Ringsted is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Ringsted has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.8%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
16.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ringsted, 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ringsted, Iowa?
Ringsted, Iowa has a population of 380 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ringsted, IA?
The median household income in Ringsted is $51,042, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ringsted, IA?
The poverty rate in Ringsted is 18.4%. This means approximately 70 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ringsted, Iowa?
Ringsted's population is 94.2% White, 0.5% Black, 0.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ringsted, IA?
The median home value in Ringsted is $47,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.9x.
How educated is Ringsted, Iowa?
16.2% of adults (25+) in Ringsted hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.