My Local Guide

Rolling Hills, Rail Trails, and Small-Town Stories

Ringgold County, Iowa

Ringgold County sits along Iowa’s southern border, where rolling farmland, lakes, wooded recreation areas, rail-trail corridors, and close-knit communities define the landscape. Mount Ayr anchors the county with its courthouse square, hospital, schools, shops, and local history, while Diagonal, Tingley, Ellston, Kellerton, and smaller communities add their own character. Outdoor recreation, museums, fairs, scenic backroads, and community events make this one of Iowa’s quietest counties to explore.

Ringgold County at a Glance

Population4,642 (2025 estimate)
County SeatMount Ayr
Largest CityMount Ayr
Established1847
ZIP CodesMultiple community ZIP Codes
Total AreaApprox. 539 sq mi
Major RoutesUS 169, IA 2
Area Code641
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Greenfield County courthouse
Discover Ringgold County

Ringgold County

Ringgold County developed as a rural southern Iowa county shaped by agriculture, railroads, county-seat commerce, and small communities spread across rolling prairie. Mount Ayr grew into the county’s civic center, while places such as Diagonal, Tingley, Ellston, and Kellerton developed their own schools, businesses, churches, and traditions. Historic rail corridors now support recreation, local museums preserve community stories, and the courthouse square remains a focal point for public life and county identity.

Start in Mount Ayr with the courthouse square, Peggy Whitson Rock, Carnegie library, restored depot, local restaurants, and the Princess Theater. Then head to the Ringgold Trailway, Fife’s Grove, Liberty Lake, Poe Hollow, or Diagonal’s Mapleleaf Pathway. Sun Valley Lake and Ellston add a recreational-lake community to the mix. Road Trip Ringgold, county fairs, community celebrations, small museums, rural shops, and scenic backroads reward visitors who take time to explore beyond the main highways.

What Shapes Us

Courthouse Heritage

Mount Ayr’s courthouse square, restored depot, local museums, and historic business district preserve Ringgold County’s civic, railroad, and community story.

Lakes & Trails

Trailways, county parks, fishing ponds, wooded areas, and lake communities give this rural county more outdoor variety than its size suggests.

Close-Knit Places

Mount Ayr, Diagonal, Tingley, Ellston, Kellerton, and smaller communities sustain schools, fairs, libraries, businesses, churches, and long-running traditions.

Small communities, open country, trails, and hometown pride
My Local Guide

Ringgold County

Our County - Our Stories
Ringgold County, Iowa Ringgold County, Iowa
Ringgold County Wire

Ringgold County Wire

Local Stories - DailyPhoto Credits
Radio Iowa

Iowa Business Council survey shows postive outlook on state’s economy

The Iowa Business Council (IBC) has released its third quarter Economic Outlook Survey that gauges the outlook for…

Read the Story Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read

Around Ringgold County

Stories from every corner of Ringgold County.

Iowa Business Council survey shows postive outlook on state’s economy

The Iowa Business Council (IBC) has released its third quarter Economic Outlook Survey that gauges the outlook for…

Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read

Horror film fest is highlight of Ottumwa’s Halloweenapalooza

The leaves are starting to change color, pumpkins are appearing on porches, and a scare is in the…

Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read

Names of northeast Iowa boaters who died in Mississippi River accident released

The Iowa DNR has identified two northeast Iowa men who drowned after their fishing boat hit a submerged…

Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read

Iowa farmers didn’t get much field time last week waiting for drier conditions

The harvest didn’t advance much last week as farmers waited for fields to dry out. The lastest U.S.D.A.…

Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read

Celebrating Iowa 4H from calves and canning to astronomy and robots

This is National 4H Week, recognizing the accomplishments of the program that reaches more than 120,000 young people…

Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read
RINGGOLD COUNTY WEATHER
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Meet Local Businesses

Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.

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Ringgold County Resources

Everything You Need. All in One Place.

Find practical Ringgold County links for government, schools, health care, public safety, parks, trails, utilities, libraries, courts, transportation, veterans services, and employment.

Government

Ringgold County Government
County departments, public services, records, notices, and courthouse information.
Official Website

Ringgold County Auditor / Elections
Elections, voter information, county records, and administrative services.
Official Website
Phone: 641-464-3239

City of Mount Ayr
Municipal services and information for the county seat.
Official Website

Ringgold County Development Corporation
Economic development, business support, community information, and relocation resources.
Official Website
Phone: 641-464-3704

Ringgold County Chamber & Tourism
Visitor information, events, attractions, and community promotion.
Official Website
Phone: 641-464-3704

City of Diagonal
Community information and local services for Diagonal.
Official Website

City of Tingley
Local community information and services for Tingley.
Official Website

We’re Here To Help.

Useful answers for exploring, visiting, and living in Ringgold County.

Helpful Information

Frequently Asked Questions

From Mount Ayr’s courthouse square and Ringgold Trailway to Diagonal, Sun Valley Lake, county parks, rural communities, and seasonal events, these answers focus on what people actually want to know about Ringgold County.

Start in Mount Ayr with the historic courthouse square, Peggy Whitson Rock, Princess Theater, Carnegie library, and restored depot museum. Then explore Ringgold County attractions such as the Ringgold Trailway, Loch Ayr Lake, Sun Valley Lake area, Diagonal Printing Museum, Freedom Rock in Diagonal, and county parks.

Shop - Dine - Discover

Meet Local Businesses

Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.

Southern Iowa Towing & Recovery advertisement
My Local Guide

Find Something Fun

Top Picks for Every Kind of Day

Build a Ringgold County day around trails, lakes, parks, local history, small-town shops, food, community events, and scenic backroads.

Kids’ Fun

  1. Princess Theater
  2. Lucky Lanes Bowling
  3. Judge Lewis Park
  4. Ringgold County Fair

Restaurants

  1. Jamie’s Coffee Mill
  2. Still Smokin BBQ
  3. Ramsey Farm
  4. Big Bend Bar + Grille

Shopping & Retail

  1. Mount Ayr Square Shops
  2. Road Trip Ringgold Stops
  3. Still Smokin Mercantile
  4. Downtown Mount Ayr Retail

Clothing & Boutiques

  1. Mount Ayr Boutiques
  2. Road Trip Ringgold Boutique Stops
  3. Diagonal Small Shops

Outdoor Fun

  1. Ringgold Trailway
  2. Fife’s Grove Park
  3. Liberty Lake
  4. Boone Woods
  5. Sun Valley Lake

Free Things To Do

  1. Walk the Mount Ayr Courthouse Square
  2. See the Peggy Whitson Rock
  3. Walk the Ringgold Trailway
  4. Mount Ayr Public Library
  5. See the Restored Skelly Station
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.
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