Ralston, Iowa

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Population in 2022: 78 (0% urban, 100% rural).
Population change since 2000: -20.4%
 
Males: 31  (40.8%)
Females: 47  (59.2%)
Median resident age:

41.6 years
Iowa median age:

38.9 years

Zip codes: 51459, 51462.

Ralston Zip Code Map
Estimated median household income in 2022: $65,327 (it was $34,375 in 2000)
Ralston:

$65,327
IA:

$69,588

Estimated per capita income in 2022: $29,008 (it was $15,746 in 2000)

Estimated median house or condo value in 2022: $86,584 (it was $31,300 in 2000)
Ralston:

$86,584
IA:

$194,600

Mean prices in 2022: all housing units: $121,437; detached houses: $120,818

Median gross rent in 2022: $706.

March 2022 cost of living index in Ralston: 81.8 (low, U.S. average is 100)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2022: 19.7%
(12.3% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 100.0% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 100.0% for two or more races residents)

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  • Races in Ralston, IA (2022)
    • 6490.1%White alone
    • 34.2%Two or more races
    • 34.2%Hispanic
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Recent posts about Ralston, Iowa on our local forum with over 2,400,000 registered users:
Anyone live in Iowa or Nabraska?  (13 replies)
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Latest news from Ralston, IA collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Ancestries: German (47.6%), Irish (33.3%), Polish (9.5%), Danish (4.8%), European (4.8%).

Current Local Time: CST time zone

Incorporated on 10/31/1903

Elevation: 1130 feet

Land area: 1.98 square miles.

Population density: 39 people per square mile   (very low).

Ralston, Iowa map
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units in 2000:
Ralston city:

0.9% ($275)
Iowa:

1.3% ($1,077)

Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Ames, IA (51.3 miles , pop. 50,731).

Nearest city with pop. 200,000+: Omaha, NE (89.6 miles , pop. 390,007).

Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Chicago, IL (357.8 miles , pop. 2,896,016).

Nearest cities:

Scranton, IA (2.1 miles ),
Glidden, IA (2.3 miles ),
Lidderdale, IA (3.1 miles),
Lanesboro, IA (3.2 miles),
Willey, IA (3.3 miles),
Churdan, IA (3.3 miles ),
Coon Rapids, IA (3.5 miles ),
Carroll, IA (3.5 miles )

Latitude: 42.04 N, Longitude: 94.63 W

Area code: 712

Distribution of median household income in Ralston, IA in 2022
Distribution of house value in Ralston, IA in 2022

Ralston satellite photo by USGS

Unemployment in December 2023:
Here:

1.8%
Iowa:

2.7%

Average climate in Ralston, Iowa

Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Ralston, Iowa average temperatures Ralston, Iowa average precipitation Ralston, Iowa humidity Ralston, Iowa wind speed Ralston, Iowa snowfall Ralston, Iowa sunshine Ralston, Iowa clear and cloudy days

Tornado activity:

Ralston-area historical tornado activity is near Iowa state average. It is 97% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 5/27/1995, a category F4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado 13.4 miles away from the Ralston city center injured one person and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.

On 5/27/1995, a category F4 tornado 14.0 miles away from the city center caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity:

Ralston-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Iowa state average. It is 219% greater than the overall U.S. average.

On 9/3/2016 at 12:02:44, a magnitude 5.8 (5.8 MW, Depth: 3.5 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 407.5 miles away from Ralston center
On 7/9/1975 at 14:54:15, a magnitude 4.6 (4.6 MB, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 260.5 miles away from Ralston center
On 11/3/2002 at 20:41:56, a magnitude 4.3 (4.3 MB, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 223.5 miles away from Ralston center
On 11/6/2011 at 03:53:10, a magnitude 5.7 (5.7 MW, Depth: 3.2 mi) earthquake occurred 464.7 miles away from Ralston center
On 3/4/1983 at 06:32:18, a magnitude 4.6 (4.4 MB, 4.6 LG, 4.4 ML) earthquake occurred 284.1 miles away from the city center
On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.4 (5.1 MB, 4.8 MS, 5.4 MW, 5.2 MW) earthquake occurred 433.9 miles away from Ralston center
Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters:

The number of natural disasters in Carroll County (15) is near the US average (15).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 12
Emergencies Declared: 2

Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 9, Storms: 6, Tornadoes: 3, Winter Storms: 2, Hurricane: 1, Ice Storm: 1, Snow: 1, Snowstorm: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Ralston topographic map

Hospitals and medical centers near Ralston:

  • NEW HOPE VILLAGE (Hospital, about 12 miles away; CARROLL, IA)
  • ST ANTHONY'S REGIONAL HOSPITAL (Nursing Home, about 12 miles away; CARROLL, IA)
  • REGENCY PARK NURSING AND REHAB CENTER OF CARROLL (Nursing Home, about 12 miles away; CARROLL, IA)
  • THOMAS REST HAVEN (Nursing Home, about 13 miles away; COON RAPIDS, IA)
  • ST ANTHONY HOME HEALTH/HOSPICE (Home Health Center, about 13 miles away; CARROLL, IA)
  • SAINT ANTHONYS REGIONAL HOSPITAL (Dialysis Facility, about 13 miles away; CARROLL, IA)
  • ST ANTHONY REGIONAL HOSPITAL & NURSIING HOME Acute Care Hospitals (about 13 miles away; CARROLL, IA)

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Ralston:

  • Iowa Central Community College (about 38 miles; Fort Dodge, IA; Full-time enrollment: 4,682)
  • Iowa State University (about 51 miles; Ames, IA; FT enrollment: 28,662)
  • Buena Vista University (about 51 miles; Storm Lake, IA; FT enrollment: 2,522)
  • Des Moines Area Community College (about 58 miles; Ankeny, IA; FT enrollment: 15,337)
  • Drake University (about 59 miles; Des Moines, IA; FT enrollment: 3,768)
  • Iowa Western Community College (about 81 miles; Council Bluffs, IA; FT enrollment: 5,344)
  • Metropolitan Community College Area (about 86 miles; Omaha, NE; FT enrollment: 12,236)

Points of interest:

Click to draw/clear city borders

Notable locations in Ralston: Ralston Volunteer Fire Department (A), Ralston Community Building (B). Display/hide their locations on the map

Carroll County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Highest Potential
Average household size:
This city:

2.1 people
Iowa:

2.4 people

Percentage of family households:
This city:

50.0%
Whole state:

64.7%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners:
This city:

7.9%
Whole state:

6.7%


No gay or lesbian households reported

For population 15 years and over in Ralston:

Marital status in Ralston, IA
  • Never married: 33.7%
  • Now married: 34.0%
  • Separated: 0.0%
  • Widowed: 6.5%
  • Divorced: 25.8%

For population 25 years and over in Ralston:

  • High school or higher: 100.0%
  • Bachelor's degree or higher: 0.0%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 0.0%
  • Mean travel time to work (commute): 25.7 minutes
Educational Attainment in 2022
School Enrollment by Level of School in 2022
Education Gini index (Inequality in education)
Here:

3.7
Iowa average:

10.5

Presidential Elections Results

Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results

Religion statistics for Ralston, IA (based on Carroll County data)

Religions Adherents in 2010
Religions Adherents - Change between 2000 and 2010
ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Catholic11,94314
Evangelical Protestant3,33618
Mainline Protestant2,86013
Other1961
None2,481-
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 8
Here:

3.82 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:

2.14 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 15
This county:

7.17 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:

5.55 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 22
Carroll County:

10.51 / 10,000 pop.
State:

8.01 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
This county:

8.7%
Iowa:

7.8%
Adult obesity rate:
Here:

26.4%
State:

27.3%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Carroll County:

13.5%
State:

14.5%

Health and Nutrition:

Healthy diet rate:
Ralston:

56.5%
Iowa:

49.5%

Average overall health of teeth and gums:
This city:

56.9%
State:

46.1%

Average BMI:
Ralston:

28.6
Iowa:

28.6

People feeling badly about themselves:
Ralston:

18.4%
Iowa:

21.4%

People not drinking alcohol at all:
Ralston:

9.3%
Iowa:

10.4%

Average hours sleeping at night:
Ralston:

6.9
Iowa:

6.8

Overweight people:
Here:

35.8%
Iowa:

33.8%

General health condition:
Here:

61.3%
State:

55.9%

Average condition of hearing:
Here:

78.6%
Iowa:

77.7%

More about Health and Nutrition of Ralston, IA Residents
Local government employment and payroll (March 2022)
Function Full-time employees Monthly full-time payroll Average yearly full-time wage Part-time employees Monthly part-time payroll
Other Government Administration 0$0 2$2,385
Totals for Government 0$0 2$2,385

Ralston government finances - Expenditure in 2017 (per resident):

  • Construction - Water Utilities: $338,000 ($4333.33)
  • Current Operations - Regular Highways: $49,000 ($628.21)
    Water Utilities: $30,000 ($384.62)
    General - Other: $17,000 ($217.95)
    Solid Waste Management: $16,000 ($205.13)
    Local Fire Protection: $14,000 ($179.49)
    Financial Administration: $12,000 ($153.85)
    Sewerage: $8,000 ($102.56)
    Parks and Recreation: $6,000 ($76.92)
    General Public Buildings: $3,000 ($38.46)
    Central Staff Services: $2,000 ($25.64)
    Police Protection: $1,000 ($12.82)
    Housing and Community Development: $1,000 ($12.82)
    Health - Other: $1,000 ($12.82)
  • Intergovernmental to Local - Other - Police Protection: $1,000 ($12.82)
  • Total Salaries and Wages: $12,000 ($153.85)
  • Water Utilities - Interest on Debt: $4,000 ($51.28)

Ralston government finances - Revenue in 2017 (per resident):

  • Charges - Solid Waste Management: $14,000 ($179.49)
    Sewerage: $9,000 ($115.38)
  • Federal Intergovernmental - Housing and Community Development: $7,000 ($89.74)
  • Local Intergovernmental - Other: $2,000 ($25.64)
  • Miscellaneous - Interest Earnings: $1,000 ($12.82)
  • Revenue - Water Utilities: $22,000 ($282.05)
  • State Intergovernmental - Highways: $2,000 ($25.64)
  • Tax - Property: $115,000 ($1474.36)
    General Sales and Gross Receipts: $13,000 ($166.67)

Ralston government finances - Debt in 2017 (per resident):

  • Long Term Debt - Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $105,000 ($1346.15)
    Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $98,000 ($1256.41)
    Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $7,000 ($89.74)

Ralston government finances - Cash and Securities in 2017 (per resident):

  • Other Funds - Cash and Securities: $327,000 ($4192.31)

Strongest AM radio stations in Ralston:

  • WHO (1040 AM; 50 kW; DES MOINES, IA; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)
  • KWMT (540 AM; 5 kW; FORT DODGE, IA; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
  • KOIL (1020 AM; 50 kW; PLATTSMOUTH, NE; Owner: WAITT RADIO, INC.)
  • KFAB (1110 AM; 50 kW; OMAHA, NE; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)
  • KKAR (1290 AM; 50 kW; OMAHA, NE; Owner: WAITT RADIO, INC.)
  • KCIM (1380 AM; 1 kW; CARROLL, IA; Owner: CARROLL BROADCASTING COMPANY)
  • KYDZ (1180 AM; 25 kW; BELLEVUE, NE; Owner: WAITT RADIO, INC.)
  • WOI (640 AM; 5 kW; AMES, IA; Owner: IOWA STATE UNIV., OF SCIENCE & TECH.)
  • KFGQ (1260 AM; 5 kW; BOONE, IA; Owner: BOONE BIBLICAL MINISTRIES, INC.)
  • KXEL (1540 AM; 50 kW; WATERLOO, IA; Owner: KXEL BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC.)
  • KPSZ (940 AM; 10 kW; DES MOINES, IA; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF IOWA, LLC)
  • WHB (810 AM; 50 kW; KANSAS CITY, MO; Owner: UNION BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • KBGG (1700 AM; 10 kW; DES MOINES, IA; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)

Strongest FM radio stations in Ralston:

  • KGRA (98.9 FM; JEFFERSON, IA; Owner: COON VALLEY COMMUNICATIONS INC.)
  • KWOI (90.7 FM; CARROLL, IA; Owner: IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY)
  • KKRL (93.7 FM; CARROLL, IA; Owner: CARROLL BROADCASTING COMPANY)
  • KMXD (100.3 FM; DES MOINES, IA; Owner: CITICASTERS LICENSES, L.P.)
  • KLTI-FM (104.1 FM; AMES, IA; Owner: SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF IOWA, LLC)
  • KIKD (106.7 FM; LAKE CITY, IA; Owner: CARROLL BROADCASTING COMPANY)

TV broadcast stations around Ralston:

  • KDIN-TV (Channel 11; DES MOINES, IA; Owner: IOWA PUBLIC BROADCASTING BOARD)
  • WOI-TV (Channel 5; AMES, IA; Owner: CAPITAL COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, INC.)
  • WHO-TV (Channel 13; DES MOINES, IA; Owner: NEW YORK TIMES MANAGEMENT SERVICES)
  • KCCI (Channel 8; DES MOINES, IA; Owner: DES MOINES HEARST-ARGYLE TV, INC.)
  • KPWB-TV (Channel 23; AMES, IA; Owner: PAPPAS TELECASTING OF IOWA, L.L.C.)
  • KDSM-TV (Channel 17; DES MOINES, IA; Owner: KDSM LICENSEE, LLC)
  • National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics
  • 16Number of bridges
  • 138ft / 42.4mTotal length
  • 4,725Total average daily traffic
  • 705Total average daily truck traffic
  • 4,725Total future (year 2039) average daily traffic
New bridges in Ralston, IA - historical statistics
  • New bridges - historical statistics
  • 11900-1909
  • 11940-1949
  • 31950-1959
  • 21960-1969
  • 21970-1979
  • 11980-1989
  • 21990-1999
  • 12000-2009
  • 32010-2019
See full National Bridge Inventory statistics for Ralston, IA

FCC Registered Antenna Towers:

8 (See the full list of FCC Registered Antenna Towers in Ralston)

FCC Registered Microwave Towers:

5
  • STATION, 100 Main St (Lat: 42.043861 Lon: -94.642750), Structure height: 66.1 m, Call Sign: WNEU286,
    Assigned Frequencies: 2137.20 MHz, 2142.00 MHz, 2130.80 MHz, Grant Date: 03/05/1998, Expiration Date: 03/09/2008, Cancellation Date: 05/10/2008, Phone: (515) 628-1724

  • STATION, 100 Main St (Lat: 42.041083 Lon: -94.638028), Structure height: 53.3 m, Overall height: 59.4 m, Call Sign: WNTA606,
    Assigned Frequencies: 952.087 MHz, 928.087 MHz, Grant Date: 12/20/1994, Expiration Date: 12/20/1999, Cancellation Date: 03/25/2000, Phone: (515) 432-8602

  • Ralston Office, 406 First Street (Lat: 42.042222 Lon: -94.637500), Type: Building, Structure height: 9.1 m, Overall height: 12.2 m, Call Sign: WQTJ837,
    Assigned Frequencies: 23035.0 MHz, 23185.0 MHz, 23035.0 MHz, 23185.0 MHz, 23035.0 MHz, 23185.0 MHz, 23035.0 MHz, 23185.0 MHz, 23035.0 MHz, 23185.0 MHz, 23035.0 MHz, 23185.0 MHz, Grant Date: 02/19/2014, Expiration Date: 02/19/2024, Certifier: Chuck Pauk, Registrant: West Central Cooperative, 213 Se 16th St, Pella, IA 50219, Phone: (641) 628-1724, Fax: (641) 628-4808, Email:

  • Ralston Elev A, Se 300ft Across The Street From 406 First Street (Lat: 42.040556 Lon: -94.635611), Type: Building, Structure height: 54.9 m, Overall height: 56.4 m, Call Sign: WQTJ838,
    Assigned Frequencies: 6226.89 MHz, 21835.0 MHz, 6226.89 MHz, 21835.0 MHz, 6226.89 MHz, 21835.0 MHz, 6226.89 MHz, 21835.0 MHz, 6226.89 MHz, 21835.0 MHz, 21835.0 MHz, Grant Date: 02/19/2014, Expiration Date: 02/19/2024, Certifier: Chuck Pauk, Registrant: West Central Cooperative, 213 Se 16th St, Pella, IA 50219, Phone: (641) 628-1724, Fax: (641) 628-4808, Email:

  • Ralston Elev K, Nw 1000ft From 406 First Street (Lat: 42.043889 Lon: -94.642722), Type: Building, Structure height: 59.4 m, Overall height: 61 m, Call Sign: WQTJ839,
    Assigned Frequencies: 6063.80 MHz, 21985.0 MHz, 6063.80 MHz, 21985.0 MHz, 6063.80 MHz, 21985.0 MHz, 6063.80 MHz, 21985.0 MHz, 6063.80 MHz, 21985.0 MHz, 21985.0 MHz, Grant Date: 02/19/2014, Expiration Date: 02/19/2024, Certifier: Chuck Pauk, Registrant: West Central Cooperative, 213 Se 16th St, Pella, IA 50219, Phone: (641) 628-1724, Fax: (641) 628-4808, Email:


Houses and condos Apartments
Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos in Ralston, IA
  • 91.3%Utility gas
  • 8.7%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments in Ralston, IA
  • 100.0%Utility gas


Ralston compared to Iowa state average:

  • Median house value below state average.
  • Unemployed percentage significantly below state average.
  • Black race population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Hispanic race population percentage below state average.
  • Median age below state average.
  • Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Renting percentage significantly below state average.
  • House age above state average.
  • Percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher significantly below state average.
Cost of Living Calculator