Ruthven city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Ruthven city, Iowa has a total population of 766, the 371st largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $58,750, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.3%.
Ruthven city Quick Facts
How Ruthven 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+)
Ruthven city Rankings in Iowa
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Cities Similar to Ruthven city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edgewood city | 787 | $56,875 | $167,000 | 14.6% | 7.4% |
| Shelby city | 797 | $60,333 | $156,300 | 12.4% | 9.8% |
| Okoboji city | 806 | $59,167 | $320,000 | 41.8% | 14.6% |
| Alden city | 792 | $55,625 | $102,500 | 9.9% | 18.1% |
| Quasqueton city | 749 | $64,531 | $128,100 | 15.3% | 10.2% |
Population Overview
Ruthven city is a small community located in Iowa. The total population is 766. It ranks as the 371st most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ruthven city is 36.6 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 28.1% of the population under 18, Ruthven city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ruthven city is $58,750. This is 20% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 25% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.7%. This is 24% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 1.3%. This is 64% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $103,400. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Ruthven city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 76.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 71.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ruthven city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.7%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 2.4%.
Education
15.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% 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 94.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ruthven 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 Ruthven city, Iowa?
Ruthven city, Iowa has a population of 766 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ruthven city, IA?
The median household income in Ruthven city is $58,750, which is 25% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Ruthven city, IA?
The poverty rate in Ruthven city is 13.7%. This means approximately 97 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ruthven city, Iowa?
Ruthven city's population is 81.7% White, 0.1% Black, 7.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ruthven city, IA?
The median home value in Ruthven city is $103,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Ruthven city, Iowa?
15.4% of adults (25+) in Ruthven city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.