Stove foundry, 1900
Ralston’s story
117 years in pictures
Census counts: 455 in 1920, 6,494 in 2020. The archive holds 6 old photos and papers going back to 1900 and 4 maps from 1956 on.
- 1909Ralston is settled
RalstonNE
A town of 6,382, settled in 1909. More miles of trail than almost any town in Nebraska.
Trash day: look up yoursPopulation
6,382
2025 Census estimate · −1.6% since 2020
Typical home
$265K
+3.7% in a year
Household income
$69K
median
Median age
37.3
years
Jobs based here
3,399
Balanced
TownGrade
C+
#41 of 57 in NE
Is Ralston a good place to live?
Ralston grades C+ overall, 41st of 57 graded towns in Nebraska, with clear strengths and some subjects that lag. The median household earns $69K and 6% of its land is conserved. On the other side, its schools rank behind 89% of the state's. Ralston’s concentration of trails is 1.5 miles per square mile, above both Nebraska’s towns (0.3) and U.S. towns (0.4). Only 13 of Nebraska’s 133 towns score lower on cost of living. Ralston's civic life (library use, community groups, volunteering) trails 96% of U.S. towns.
What makes Ralston stand out
Where Ralston beats most towns.
Get outside
2 miles of trails in Ralston
5.6% of the town is conserved land, across 4 parks and preserves.
2
Oak Park0.6 mi of trails · 14 acres
Trails © OpenStreetMap contributors · USGS PAD-US
How Ralston grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Nebraska), ordered by how far Ralston is from typical.
Its best grade is an A for the outdoors (#4 of 57 in Nebraska; 2 miles of trails; 6% conserved land), which describes the town but isn’t part of the overall grade; its C+ comes from the livability subjects above.
SchoolsDOpen →Jobs & income3,399 jobs based hereAOpen →HealthCHI Health Bergan Mercy 2.7 miles awayB+Open →Cost of livingC+Open →Hazard risktornadoes tops the listBOpen →SafetyB−Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 12.6 of 20; 3.9% of households have no car; 0% of workers walk, bike or ride transitB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors2 miles of trailsAOpen →HistoryDOpen →Civic life1 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsD−Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
How TownRatings grades towns →
Nearby attractions
All 37 attractions →Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and 25 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Ralston. Close and well known come first.
6 mi Zoo & aquariumOmaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
6 mi MuseumJoslyn Art Museum
19 mi MuseumStrategic Air and Space Museum
9 mi MuseumUSS Hazard
18 mi LandmarkFort Atkinson
11 mi MuseumPottawattamie County JailSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium: OmahaZoo, Public domain · Joslyn Art Museum: akasped, CC BY 2.0 · Strategic Air and Space Museum: User Kandykornhead on en.wikipedia, Public domain · USS Hazard: Dave Aldworth / Oldfarm at English Wikipedia, Public domain · Fort Atkinson: Unknown, Public domain · Pottawattamie County Jail: Smallbones, CC0
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Ralston: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Ralston, and how to reach them.
PowerOmaha Public Power District13.3¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterMetropolitan Utilities DistrictNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet8 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpBy addressTown’s hauler · day by addressTown site
Register to voteOnlineIn Nebraska you can register online until 18 days before Election Day, in person until 11 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 18 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereDouglas Election CommissionerDouglas County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Feb 2025
ZIP code6812768127 100%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Sep 30, 2026.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Ralston.
Ralston has more trail for its size than nearly any town in Nebraska, is healthier than towns with similar incomes and trades workers with Omaha and other neighbors.
OutdoorsA
Protected land: 5.6% of Ralston
At 1.5 miles of trail per square mile, it ranks #3 of 38 Nebraska towns.
The biggest place to walk is Orval Smith Park, 24 acres with 1.4 miles of trail. Across 4 parks and preserves: 2.4 miles of trail. Parks and preserves in Ralston: 4, covering 63 acres.
#3for trails in NE
5.6%
conserved · 59 of 1,046 acres
2.4 mi
of trails · 1.5 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Orval Smith Park | 1.4 mi | 24 |
| 2. Oak Park | 0.6 mi | 14 |
| 3. Ponderosa Park | 0.3 mi | 4 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
SchoolsD
Ralston earns a D for schools
The public schools here belong to the Ralston Public Schools. Below: Two of its 5 schools, each with why it was picked. The largest public high school is Ralston High School, with 1,024 students.
11%of NE districts it outscoresDSchool Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ralston Middle SchoolLargest public middle schoolGrades 7–8 | Grades 7–8 | 488 | D |
| Ralston High SchoolLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 1,024 | C− |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within NE on state tests and graduation
HealthB+
Ralston is healthier than 70% of U.S. towns
Against the 10,469 U.S. towns with household incomes like Ralston’s, it is healthier than 88%, so its B+ isn’t only a matter of income.
The share of adults in Ralston who feel lonely: 30%. Among 57 Nebraska towns, just 5 have a higher share of adults who have been diagnosed with depression than Ralston.
70%healthier than U.S. townsB+Health Grade
| Ralston | Nebraska towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 20% | 19% | 16% |
| Depression (CDC PLACES) | 20% | 18% | 23% |
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 75% | 76% | 79% |
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 32% | 34% | 35% |
32 measures vs. Nebraska
1 better31 too close to call0 worse
| What stands out | Ralston | NE |
|---|---|---|
| More adults screened for colon cancer | 67.7% | 62.3% |
CHI Health Bergan Mercy
2.7 mi away · emergency room
None
primary care, dental or mental-health shortage
59th
percentile among NE towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Climate
Ralston has four seasons and pleasant summers
The range runs from 14° on a January night to 86° on a July afternoon, with about 36 inches of snow a winter.
36″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter17–36°
Spring40–63°
Summer64–85°
Fall42–64°
Oct 18
typical first frost
Apr 21
typical last frost
+1.0°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Work & commuteJobs & income grade A
About two in three of Ralston’s working residents commute to Omaha
Ralston has about as many jobs (3,399) as working residents, but only 173 people both live and work here.
Half the trips to work are shorter than 5 miles. Among working residents in Ralston, 5.3% work locally. The share of residents in Ralston who live below the poverty line is 4%, below both the Nebraska town median (11%) and the median of U.S. towns (9.6%). In Ralston, the typical journey to work is 20 minutes.
5%work in town
| Ralston | Nebraska towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working residents who work in town | 5.3% | 35% | 8% |
| Below the poverty line | 4% | 11% | 9.6% |
| Average trip to work | 20 minutes | 17 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Work from home | 10% | 5.4% | 11% |
Where working residents work
In Ralston5%
Omaha65%
Papillion5%
La Vista4%
Lincoln3%
5 mi
median commute distance
3,399
jobs based in Ralston
Balanced
jobs vs. working residents
B−
Walkability grade: more walkable than 50% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Who lives here
Ages in Ralston track Nebraska closely
No age group stands out against Nebraska: all are within 4 points. In Ralston, 16% of residents are 65 or older. College graduates make up 27% of adults 25 and older, against 35% across Nebraska.
37.3median age · NE 37.2
| Ralston | Nebraska towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aged 65 or older | 16% | 19% | 18% |
| Median age | 37.3 years | 37.8 years | 40.5 years |
| Under 18 | 23% | 24% | 22% |
RalstonNebraskaUnited States
Ages · share of residents
17%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma10%
High school31%
Some college22%
Associate’s11%
Bachelor’s21%
Graduate6%
Women and men · all residents
50% women, 50% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±3 points. Across Nebraska, 49.7% of residents are women.
| Ralston | NE | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 14.6% | 13.1% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 8.3% | 11.4% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 7.6% | 9.8% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 16.5% | 12.9% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 12.4% | 13.1% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 11.2% | 11.1% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 13.2% | 11.9% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 9.1% | 9.9% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 7.1% | 6.8% | 7% |
| No diploma | 10.1% | 7.8% | 10.4% |
| High school | 31.1% | 25% | 26% |
| Some college | 21.5% | 21.6% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 10.6% | 11% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 21.1% | 22.3% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 5.7% | 12.3% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade B
Moderate risk in Ralston, with tornadoes at the top
Ralston’s natural-hazard score from FEMA stands at 43 of 100. Expected losses in Ralston break down as 31% from tornadoes and 30% from inland flooding. Federal disaster aid has reached households in Ralston after 7 declared disasters, most recently in 2024.
43risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
TornadoesInland floodingHail
1
paid flood claims since 2019
7
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA disaster declarations and aid · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
HousingCost of living grade C+
Ralston’s typical home value is about $265K
Among 56 Nebraska towns, just 5 have a higher typical rent than Ralston. For households in the town, the share who own their home is 63%. A home in Ralston typically sold within 10 days of listing.
$265KZillow home value
| Ralston | Nebraska towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 63% | 67% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,215 a month | $907 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
Ralston$265K
Nebraska$278K
Market temperature
10
days on market
102.7%
sale-to-list price
+3.7%
value change, 1 year
9
homes sold in May
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
SafetyB−
Crime per resident in Ralston is higher than in 53% of U.S. towns
Reported crimes fell from 125 to 85 over the last three FBI years, a drop beyond ordinary year-to-year swings.
Ralston’s level of property crime comes in at 12.6 per 1,000 residents. The rate of reported violence for Ralston comes to 0.6 per 1,000 residents.
47%of U.S. towns report more crimeB−Safety Grade
| Ralston | Nebraska towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 12.6 per 1,000 residents | 7 | 9.9 |
| Violent crimes per 1,000 (2025) | 0.6 per 1,000 residents | 1 | 1.6 |
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Ralston0.6
Nebraska2.2
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Ralston12.6
Nebraska14
U.S.15.5
47th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
36th
percentile among NE towns
4
violent crimes reported in 2025
81
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Ralston
19pages on Ralston
The big questions
SchoolsDBehind 89% of NE districts · 5 schoolsSafetyB−0.6 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthB+Better than NE on 1 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingC+$265K typical home · up 3.7% in a yearWork & commuteA$69K median household income · 3,399 jobs hereNatural hazardsBFEMA risk higher than 43% of U.S. communities · tornadoes
Out and about
The story
Day to day
After high school
Colleges nearby
11 within 15 miles of the center of Ralston
College of Saint MaryUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Omaha2.9 mi$24,510 tuitionUniversity of Nebraska at OmahaUniversity or college · Public · Omaha4.3 mi$8,718 in-state tuitionMetropolitan Community College AreaCommunity college · Public · Omaha8.7 mi$3,375 in-state tuition
About 4 of every 100 Ralston residents are enrolled in college, against 7 across Nebraska.
About Ralston
City in Douglas County, Nebraska, United States
Ralston is a city in Douglas County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 6,494 at the 2020 census. A suburb of Omaha, Ralston is surrounded on three sides by the City of Omaha and by La Vista in Sarpy County on its south side.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 1.7 sq mi
- Elevation
- 1,145 ft
- Area code
- 402
Ralston’s neighbors
One town shares a border with Ralston.
OmahaRalston
How the neighbors grade
Omaha reports no FBI crime data of its own. Compare Ralston with a neighbor →
Questions about Ralston
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Ralston, NE a good place to live?
Ralston grades C+ overall, better than 39% of U.S. towns and #41 of 57 in Nebraska. It grades B+ for health, B− for safety and D for schools. Schools is its weak spot, with a D.
Is Ralston, NE expensive?
That is 3.1 years of the area's median household income ($84,829 across the Omaha, NE-IA metro area). Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C+.