Russell city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Russell city, Iowa has a total population of 551, the 448th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $50,750, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 5.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.0%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.9%.
Russell city Quick Facts
How Russell city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 30 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Russell city Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Cities Similar to Russell city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson city | 547 | $47,426 | $113,600 | 10.5% | 16.3% |
| Sutherland city | 570 | $53,393 | $86,900 | 13.3% | 12.4% |
| Garwin city | 554 | $56,563 | $85,100 | 8.7% | 7.0% |
| Colesburg city | 585 | $50,000 | $103,700 | 10.9% | 6.0% |
| Pomeroy city | 568 | $55,069 | $70,600 | 16.7% | 13.2% |
Population Overview
Russell city is a small community located in Iowa. The total population is 551. It ranks as the 448th most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Russell city is 56.8 years. This is 47% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Russell city is $50,750. This is 31% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 35% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.5%. This is 68% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 0.9%. This is 76% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $60,400. Housing costs are 69% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x, Russell city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 90.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% higher than the state average of 71.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Russell city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 7.0%.
Education
5.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 83% 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 83.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Russell 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Russell city, Iowa?
Russell city, Iowa has a population of 551 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Russell city, IA?
The median household income in Russell city is $50,750, which is 35% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Russell city, IA?
The poverty rate in Russell city is 18.5%. This means approximately 102 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Russell city, Iowa?
Russell city's population is 96.2% White, 0.0% Black, 0.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Russell city, IA?
The median home value in Russell city is $60,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.2x.
How educated is Russell city, Iowa?
5.1% of adults (25+) in Russell city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.