Ruthven is a city in Palo Alto County, Iowa, United States. The population was 725 at the time of the 2020 census. Ruthven had its start in the y…Ruthven is a city in Palo Alto County, Iowa, United States. The population was 725 at the time of the 2020 census. Ruthven had its start in the year 1878 by the building of the Milwaukee railroad through that territory. It was named for the Ruthven brothers, who owned the town site.