Ralston, Nebraska

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Ralston, Nebraska
settlement_type = City
nickname =
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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Ralston, Nebraska


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Nebraska
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Douglas
government_footnotes =
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leader_title =
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unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 4.4
area_land_km2 = 4.4
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 1.7
area_land_sq_mi = 1.7
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 6314
population_density_km2 = 1438.5
population_density_sq_mi = 3725.7

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 349
elevation_ft = 1145
latd = 41 |latm = 12 |lats = 8 |latNS = N
longd = 96 |longm = 2 |longs = 14 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 68127
area_code = 402
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 31-40605GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0832441GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Ralston is a city in Douglas County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 6,314 at the 2000 census. Ralston is geographically surrounded by Omaha, Nebraska but is a separate city. Since Ralston's population is below 10,000, state law technically allows for Omaha to forcibly annex Ralston (as they did with Elkhorn, another nearby city, in 2007, and had previously done with Millard and South Omaha). Omaha officials have never expressed a desire to annex Ralston; an agreement had been signed with Ralston's then-mayor, Wendell Kronberg, in the late 1960s whereby Omaha would leave Ralston alone.

Geography

Ralston is located at coor dms|41|12|8|N|96|2|14|W|city (41.202198, -96.037168)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.4 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 6,314 people, 2,538 households, and 1,697 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,725.7 people per square mile (1,442.5/km²). There were 2,601 housing units at an average density of 1,534.8/sq mi (594.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.96% White, 1.24% African American, 0.16% Native American, 1.16% Asian, Pacific Islander, 1.58% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.39% of the population.

There were 2,538 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $47,252, and the median income for a family was $58,360. Males had a median income of $35,898 versus $27,475 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,230. About 0.6% of families and 1.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.

Historical Information

In 1987 a history of Ralston was published by the Ralston Historical Society. "Early history of Ralston, Nebraska, 1865-1950" by Alice Shooter (58 pages, including photographs) chronicles the founding and development of the town. Ms Shooter was the archivist of the Historical Society for many years.

The Ralston Public Library opened in 1922 and was first located in the Stewart Real Estate Office. Two years later it was moved to the Centennial room in the basement level of City Hall. In 1963, the library moved to 7900 Park Lane. Facing Oak Park, the facility boasted a large children's collection located in the basement, a separate periodicals room, and large windows providing views of the park.

In May 1999, the Library returned to the downtown area and is currently housed in the Hollis and Helen Baright Public Library building, 5555 South 77th Street, across from town hall. The current building includes a computer lab, public meeting room, central fireplace, and a concrete frieze inspired by Oak Park. A 'tree and leaf' theme was adopted for decoration throughout the building, including "root-like" insets in the children's room carpeting, and leaf-adorned room plaques.

The Library sponsors annual events such as the Children and Teen Summer Reading Programs, participates in Ralston's Independence Day Parade, and hosts speakers for a Brown Bag Lunch program.

Ralston High School opened in 1954, it was first placed on Lakeview Drive, but then relocated to its current address on 8969 Park Drive. The old high school building was converted to the middle school.

In 2006, Ralston High School's enrollment jumped from 850 students to 1090 students, and is also becoming a more diverse school.

In athetics, Ralston participates in Nebraska's second largest class, and has had the most success in Girl's Softball, where they've won three state titles ('97-'99) and two runner ups ('03, '06) and lead the Class B teams with 12 appearances in the state tournament which began in 1993. Ralston's baseball teams have experienced similar success, with 18 appearances in the state tournament, their most recent appearance was in 2006. They've been in the finals seven times, and captured the state title seven times, holding the second most state titles in baseball, behind Omaha Creighton Prep's 8.

The Ralston Performing Arts Centre is currently located inside Ralston High School. This stage is used once a year in the summer by the Ralston Community Theatre and it is used all throughout the school year by the Ralston Drama students. The theatre, along with the entire school, was recently renovated and now seats 600+ people. The "new theatre's" first show was Les Misérables in May of 2005.

The Ralston Fine Arts Department has had success in recent years. The band has almost tripled in size, received numerous awards including best drumline, best drum major, and has had continuous success at competitions receiving all superior and excellent ratings.

ee also

* Sensation Lawn Mowers

References

External links

* [http://www.cityofralston.com City of Ralston Official Website]
* [http://www.ralstonschools.org Ralston Public Schools Website]