Ruthton, Minnesota Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ruthton, Minnesota had a total population of 222, the 677th largest city in Minnesota, with a median household income of $38,864, which is 56% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 56% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 9.7% 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 1.5x.
Ruthton Quick Facts
How Ruthton 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 | 180 | 222 | +23.3% |
| Median household income | $40,000 | $38,864 | -2.8% |
| Median home value | $54,100 | $56,800 | +5.0% |
How Ruthton 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: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ruthton Rankings in Minnesota
Explore Minnesota Rankings
Other Cities in Pipestone County
Cities Similar to Ruthton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucan | 220 | $40,000 | $137,500 | 33.8% | 18.2% |
| Hardwick | 235 | $39,327 | $83,300 | 20.4% | 15.3% |
| Williams | 237 | N/A | N/A | 4.7% | 9.7% |
| Gonvick | 221 | $33,750 | $102,100 | 10.3% | 16.7% |
| Maynard | 234 | $41,563 | $80,000 | 5.2% | 12.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 222, Ruthton'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
Ruthton is a small community located in Minnesota, within Pipestone County. The total population is 222. It ranks as the 677th most populous out of 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ruthton is 49.4 years. This is 27% higher than the state median of 38.8 years. 12.6% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ruthton is $38,864. This is 56% lower than the state median of $89,062. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.1%. This is 127% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.3%. 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 6.7%. This is 66% higher than the state rate of 4.1%. The median home value is $56,800. Housing costs are 83% lower than the state median of $329,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Ruthton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 83.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 72.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ruthton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 10.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (10.4% vs 6.4%).
Education
9.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 75% lower than the state rate of 39.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ruthton, Minnesota 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 Minnesota state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 914 Census-designated places in Minnesota. 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 Ruthton, Minnesota?
Ruthton, Minnesota has a population of 222 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ruthton, MN?
The median household income in Ruthton is $38,864, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ruthton, MN?
The poverty rate in Ruthton is 21.1%. This means approximately 45 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ruthton, Minnesota?
Ruthton's population is 84.2% White, 0.0% Black, 10.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ruthton, MN?
The median home value in Ruthton is $56,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is Ruthton, Minnesota?
9.7% of adults (25+) in Ruthton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.