Ralston: Demographics & People
Ralston's population stands at 328 people, in 113 households. Population shrank 4.7% from 344 (2022) to 328 (2024). Median age 45.3 years. (3.7y older than Pawnee County; 10.1y older than Oklahoma). Children under 18 are 22% of the population. Population is 70% White (non-Hispanic) and 1% Hispanic or Latino. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.09). 74% of households are family-led. County is gaining 720 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 41% adult obesity, 18% smoke.
- 2.9 people per household (vs Oklahoma avg 2.6).
- 26% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Oklahoma 39%).
- 62 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Oklahoma 67).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 4.7% from 344 (2022) to 328 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~312 (extrapolated at -2.3%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 293.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 15,553 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -4.7% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 344 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 328 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | declining |
| Population | 328 people (vs Oklahoma 63,420) |
| Population Estimate | 293 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 45.3y is 6.4 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 22% — near the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 45.3 years (vs Oklahoma 35.2y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 22.3% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 328 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 73 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 54.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 148.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 53 |
| Population under 18 | 73 |
| Median age | 45.3 years (vs Oklahoma 35.2y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 328 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.09 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| White residents | 250 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 2 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 10 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 8.8% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 3 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 95.4% |
| Black population | 0.6% (vs Oklahoma 5.5%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 0.9% (vs Oklahoma 12.3%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 69.5% (vs Oklahoma 57.8%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (7)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.6% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%.
| Residents born in this state | 248 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 78 |
| Share born in this state | 75.6% |
| Share born in another state | 24.4% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 23.8% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.6% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 125 |
Households & Family Composition
113 households. Averaging 3.1 people each — larger than the U.S. average of 2.5. 74% are family households — above the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 81 families, 30% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 94 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 81 |
| Married couples with children | 24 |
| Single-parent households | 2 |
| Average household size | 3.10 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 10.4% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 6 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 2 |
| Family households | 84 households (vs Oklahoma 16,590) |
| Households that are families | 74.3% (vs Oklahoma 61.1%) |
| Total households | 113 households (vs Oklahoma 23,671) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 10.7% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 720 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 10.7% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 14,635 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 13,915 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 720 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 28 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 8.8% |
Other
| Congressional District · District | 3 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | OK-03 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 40117 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 40 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 117 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Pawnee |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 37.0% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 29.90 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 45.20 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 40117 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Pawnee County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Medium metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 569 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 40117 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Pawnee County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 60.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 51.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 46.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 16,376 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 5.00 |
| Family Score · Schools | 8 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 22.3% |
| Family Score · Rating | fair |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 328, declining, established, working-class, blue collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 328 people (vs Oklahoma 63,420) |
| Town Summary · County | Pawnee County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade