Ruthven, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ruthven, Iowa had a total population of 732, the 379th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $58,625, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 0.3%.
Ruthven Quick Facts
How Ruthven 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 | 766 | 732 | -4.4% |
| Median household income | $58,750 | $58,625 | -0.2% |
| Median home value | $103,400 | $105,700 | +2.2% |
How Ruthven 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+)
Ruthven Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Palo Alto County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emmetsburg | 3,648 | $55,833 | 15.2% | $114,300 |
| Graettinger | 1,096 | $82,417 | 5.9% | $88,500 |
| Mallard | 263 | $45,909 | 19.0% | $57,500 |
| Ayrshire | 146 | $58,906 | 6.2% | $28,500 |
| Curlew | 54 | $64,688 | 13.0% | $58,000 |
| Cylinder | 46 | $62,500 | 10.9% | $91,700 |
| Rodman | 26 | $58,750 | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Ruthven
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Rapids | 722 | $60,000 | $88,700 | 18.5% | 6.1% |
| McGregor | 719 | $57,361 | $161,100 | 19.6% | 12.4% |
| Elgin | 735 | $54,688 | $98,800 | 19.6% | 3.7% |
| Dakota City | 752 | $60,417 | $119,800 | 7.5% | 6.3% |
| Armstrong | 703 | $58,250 | $90,500 | 18.0% | 5.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 732, Ruthven'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
Ruthven is a small community located in Iowa, within Palo Alto County. The total population is 732. It ranks as the 379th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ruthven is 34.5 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. With 28.0% of the population under 18, Ruthven has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ruthven is $58,625. This is 22% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.3%. This is 38% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 0.3%. This is 92% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $105,700. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Ruthven is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ruthven is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.3%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
18.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 94.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ruthven, 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 Ruthven, Iowa?
Ruthven, Iowa has a population of 732 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ruthven, IA?
The median household income in Ruthven is $58,625, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ruthven, IA?
The poverty rate in Ruthven is 15.3%. This means approximately 102 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ruthven, Iowa?
Ruthven's population is 80.5% White, 0.4% Black, 9.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ruthven, IA?
The median home value in Ruthven is $105,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Ruthven, Iowa?
18.6% of adults (25+) in Ruthven hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.