1st Advantage MortgageThe median Ringgold County household earns $73,346, and 9% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Iowa before sharing details.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Ringgold County
- Household income in Ringgold County
- Ringgold County housing compared with Iowa
- Ringgold County at the extremes
- Jobs and commutes in Ringgold County
- The counties around Ringgold County
- Ringgold County communities by population
- Borrowing situations common in Ringgold County
- More Ringgold County figures
- What a median Ringgold County budget can carry
- Steps before you apply in Ringgold County
- Checking a lender's license in Iowa
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Ringgold County
With an estimated 4,645 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Ringgold County ranks 98th of 99 in Iowa for population. Its 535 square miles average 9 people per square mile, by the 2024 Census Gazetteer. Ringgold County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. Largest place: Mount Ayr, about 1,816 residents (39% of Ringgold County); 11 Census places in all. With so few households sampled, Ringgold County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Household income in Ringgold County
Median household income in Ringgold County: $73,346 (2% below Iowa, $75,059).
| Income band | Share in Ringgold County | Difference from Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.0% | -0.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.3% | +3.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.2% | -2.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.5% | -1.0 pts |
About 21% of households earn under $35,000, while 33% clear $100,000. Census counts 8.8% of Ringgold County residents in poverty, against 11.1% across Iowa. Ringgold County scores 0.448 on the Gini index, where higher means more unequal incomes. For a borrower in Ringgold County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Ringgold County housing compared with Iowa
Ringgold County rent at the median: $710 a month, utilities in ($972 in Iowa). 41% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 12% spend half or more. Home values center on $156,200, or 2.1 years of median income. Owners occupy 78% of homes. The median home was built in 1973, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills. Nationally, Ringgold County's $710 rent is 19% below the middle county.
| Housing | Ringgold County | Iowa statewide | Ringgold County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $710/mo | $972/mo | 27% lower |
| Median home value | $156,200 | $208,000 | 25% lower |
| Owners | 78% | 72% | +6.8 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 44% | -2.5 pts |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 20% | +5.1 pts |
| Vacant units | 29% | 8% | +20.6 pts |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Ringgold County at the extremes
Ranked against the other 98 county-level areas in Iowa, these are the Ringgold County figures furthest from the middle.
- Few Iowa counties match Ringgold County on the housing vacancy rate: 29% here, 8% for the state, ranking 2nd highest of 99. Many empty units can point to seasonal housing.
- Ringgold County ranks 2nd lowest of 99 Iowa counties for population: 4,645, against 3,210,507 statewide. With few local branches, online lenders and statewide credit unions widen the choice.
- Few Iowa counties match Ringgold County on median gross rent: $710/mo here, $972/mo for the state, ranking 10th lowest of 99. Cheaper housing gives many renters more slack in a budget.
Jobs and commutes in Ringgold County
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; construction is next with 15%. Compared with Iowa, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (14% against 4%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.3% in Ringgold County. About 73% drive to work alone and 16% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Sector | Ringgold County | Compared with Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.5% | +0.3 pts |
| Construction | 14.9% | +7.9 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 14.2% | +10.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.1% | -1.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.6% | -6.2 pts |
| Public administration | 6.0% | +2.6 pts |
Self-employed in Ringgold County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
The counties around Ringgold County
Worth County is closest, 20 miles from center to center; the sixth, Adams County, is 31 miles off. None of the six report a higher median household income than Ringgold County; Adams County is highest at $71,875 and Worth County lowest at $47,847. Some neighbors are in Missouri. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Ringgold County resident follows Iowa rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ringgold County | - | $73,346 | $710/mo | 78% |
| Worth County, MO | 20 mi | $47,847 | $381/mo | 82% |
| Union County, IA | 20 mi | $57,772 | $721/mo | 72% |
| Taylor County, IA | 24 mi | $67,740 | $765/mo | 78% |
| Decatur County, IA | 24 mi | $59,044 | $611/mo | 70% |
| Harrison County, MO | 30 mi | $54,367 | $703/mo | 71% |
| Adams County, IA | 31 mi | $71,875 | $893/mo | 77% |
Ringgold County communities by population
Here are the 11 most populous of the county's 11 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 64% of Ringgold County residents live in one of the 11. No Ringgold County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 11.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Ayr | city | 1,816 | $74,167 | $707 | 2 mi |
| Diagonal | city | 454 | $74,375 | $825 | 7 mi |
| Kellerton | city | 286 | $46,875 | $598 | 10 mi |
| Sun Valley Lake | CDP | 163 | $135,521 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Tingley | city | 128 | $62,083 | $788 | 9 mi |
| Redding | city | 51 | $73,750 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Maloy | city | 30 | $59,750 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Ellston | city | 28 | $69,167 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Benton | city | 27 | $51,250 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Beaconsfield | city | 8 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
| Delphos | CDP | 4 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
Borrowing situations common in Ringgold County
Ringgold County-specific points to check:
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
More Ringgold County figures
College graduates make up 25% of the adult population. About 7% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Ringgold County | Compared with Iowa | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.5 | +5.9 yrs | +3.0 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.6% | -6.8 pts | +2.5 pts |
| No high school diploma | 6.0% | -0.7 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.6% | +1.6 pts | -1.3 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.0% | +0.6 pts | +0.6 pts |
| Work from home | 10.0% | -1.3 pts | +1.3 pts |
| Poverty rate | 8.8% | -2.3 pts | -4.4 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.3% | -0.3 pts | -1.2 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Ringgold County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 47.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 9.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.3% |
| 60+ min | 8.2% |
What a median Ringgold County budget can carry
Ringgold County's $73,346 median income, run through a debt-to-income check:
- Monthly gross at the median, Ringgold County: $6,112
- Less median rent of $710, which is 12% of it
- $1,490: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- $1,918: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $710, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Steps before you apply in Ringgold County
Steps that save money for Ringgold County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Verify the Iowa license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask a Ringgold County credit union about member loans.
Checking a lender's license in Iowa
Consumer lenders serving Ringgold County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Iowa that is the Iowa Division of Banking. If a Ringgold County lender ignores a dispute, the CFPB complaint portal is the federal backstop. The Iowa guide covers state rules in more detail.
Nearby and statewide guides
No city in Ringgold County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Ringgold County household make?
About $73,346 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 2% below the Iowa median.
Can a Ringgold County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $710 median rent and $6,112 median monthly income, rent alone uses 12%; add other debts before a new payment.
What are the biggest places in Ringgold County?
By population: Mount Ayr, Diagonal, Kellerton, Sun Valley Lake, Tingley. The county has 11 Census places in all.
Will a Ringgold County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Iowa as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Ringgold County?
Start with the Iowa Division of Banking, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.