Russell, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Russell, Iowa had a total population of 613, the 423rd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $44,821, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 6.7% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.8%.
Russell Quick Facts
How Russell 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 | 551 | 613 | +11.3% |
| Median household income | $50,750 | $44,821 | -11.7% |
| Median home value | $60,400 | $61,500 | +1.8% |
How Russell 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+)
Russell Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Lucas County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chariton | 4,242 | $46,979 | 17.2% | $81,900 |
| Williamson | 190 | $45,000 | 35.8% | N/A |
| Lucas | 145 | $25,500 | 24.8% | $33,800 |
| Derby | 110 | $56,250 | 35.4% | $92,500 |
Cities Similar to Russell
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seymour | 594 | $46,071 | $86,800 | 14.8% | 13.5% |
| Moravia | 624 | $49,286 | $121,700 | 15.6% | 10.3% |
| Swea City | 591 | $47,656 | $56,400 | 15.2% | 27.0% |
| Elma | 659 | $44,375 | $81,300 | 10.3% | 18.8% |
| Goldfield | 613 | $53,092 | $108,000 | 25.4% | 13.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 613, Russell'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
Russell is a small community located in Iowa, within Lucas County. The total population is 613. It ranks as the 423rd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Russell is 54.0 years. This is 40% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Russell is $44,821. This is 40% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 44% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.6%. This is 122% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. 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 0.8%. This is 78% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $61,500. Housing costs are 70% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Russell is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 87.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Russell has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.2%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 7.3%.
Education
6.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 79% 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 81.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Russell, 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 Russell, Iowa?
Russell, Iowa has a population of 613 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Russell, IA?
The median household income in Russell is $44,821, which is 44% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Russell, IA?
The poverty rate in Russell is 24.6%. This means approximately 151 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Russell, Iowa?
Russell's population is 97.1% White, 0.0% Black, 0.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Russell, IA?
The median home value in Russell is $61,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Russell, Iowa?
6.7% of adults (25+) in Russell hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.