Ralston, Oklahoma

Ralston (Pawnee: Iriíraatuhukaataku, reetuhruukaataku ^[4]) is a town in Pawnee County, Oklahoma, United States. The town is southeast of Ponca City on State Highway 18 near the west bank of the Arkansas River.^[5] The population was 266 as of the 2020 Census.^[6]

The townsite, occupied shortly after the opening of the Cherokee Strip,^[7] was originally called Riverside since it was located on the west bank of the Arkansas River, and it obtained a post office under that name on June 15, 1894.^[8] A townsite plat was filed on July 31, 1894, and the town was renamed Ralston for townsite developer J.H. Ralston.^[8] Early development was boosted by the arrival of the Eastern Oklahoma Railway (a Santa Fe Railway affiliate) in 1902, as well as a connecting line being completed into town in 1927.^[8] The town was also aided by a favorable location near the (dry) Osage Reservation which allowed it to served as a liquor distribution point, with seven saloons operating on Main Avenue by 1903.^[8] Various agricultural enterprises grew up, and the town expanded through the 1930 census, reaching a population high of 725 persons at that time.^[8]

Besides hosting banks, churches, and other facilities,^[8] the town had its own newspaper, the Ralston Free Press, which was published every Friday.^[9] The paper first began publishing June 28, 1900,^[7] and continued until at least 1909.^[10]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town covers 0.5 square miles (1.3 km²), all land.^[11]

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Ralston has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Ralston was 115 °F (46.1 °C) in July 2012, while the coldest temperature recorded was −29 °F (−33.9 °C) in February 2011.^[12]

According to the United States Census Bureau, Ralston's population is estimated 328 (2012 Population Estimates). The population density was 1/8th a person per square mile (298.0/km²). There were 178 housing units at an average density of 384.6 per square mile (148.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 84.23% White, 0.28% African American, 11.83% Native American, 0.28% Asian, and 3.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.85% of the population.

There were 2 households, out of which 100% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 100% were married couples living together, 0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 0% were non-families. 0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 7.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.3% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 21.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $22,614, and the median income for a family was $23,864. Males had a median income of $22,500 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,492. About 11.9% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 28.0% of those age 65 or over.

Residents are zoned to Woodland Public Schools,^[15] since 1990, due to the merger of the Ralston school district with the Fairfax district.^[16]

The Ralston Opera House is located at 501-503 Main Street. Built in 1902, the 2nd-floor Opera House is considered endangered and badly in need of restoration funding as of 2018.^[17]