Living in Ralston, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Ralston · Census data 2020–2024
Ralston has 61 residents with a median age of 38.8. The median household income is $62,917 (16% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $83,000.
Ralston is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Ralston at a glance
- Population
- 61
- Median age
- 38.8State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $62,917State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $83,000State: $208,000
- Homeowners
- 84%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 4.8%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Ralston a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 60% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 16% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 21 minutes; unemployment of 8.3%; a poverty rate of 26.2%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Ralston
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Ralston the median home value is $83,000, 75% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of — per month. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $870 a month in housing costs.
Ralston median household income
The median household income in Ralston is $62,917 and the income per person is $26,792. 26.2% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Ralston: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 29
- Owner-occupied
- 84%
- Renter-occupied
- 16%
- Vacant
- 13.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1938
- Average household size
- 2.44
Ralston demographics
- Population
- 61
- Median age
- 38.8
- Under 18
- 27.9%
- 65 and older
- 26.2%
- Households
- 25
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 4.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Ralston ›
Education in Ralston
4.8% of adults 25 and older in Ralston have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 0% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Ralston
- Unemployment rate
- 8.3%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 4.5%
- Drive alone
- 86.4%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 96%
Ralston vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ralston | 61 | $62,917 | $83,000 | — |
| Scranton | 542 | $53,864 | $86,300 | $825 |
| Glidden | 1,169 | $68,333 | $154,200 | $525 |
| Lidderdale | 177 | $60,625 | $123,400 | $750 |
| Churdan | 427 | $72,500 | $74,700 | $925 |
| Coon Rapids | 1,467 | $76,012 | $134,100 | $780 |
| Carroll | 10,208 | $69,706 | $188,700 | $722 |
| Jefferson | 4,152 | $58,895 | $155,800 | $754 |
| Dedham | 280 | $100,417 | $187,500 | — |
More for people moving to Ralston
Ralston ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Ralston: FAQ
What is the median household income in Ralston, IA?
The median household income in Ralston is $62,917, 16% lower than the Iowa median of $75,059 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Ralston?
The median home value in Ralston is $83,000, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
Is Ralston, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 60% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 16% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 21 minutes; unemployment of 8.3%; a poverty rate of 26.2%.
What is the median age in Ralston?
The median age in Ralston is 38.8 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Ralston?
The average commute to work in Ralston is 21 minutes; 4.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Ralston?
The unemployment rate in Ralston is 8.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Ralston?
4.8% of adults in Ralston have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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