The namesake of Ransom is Thomas E. G. Ransom. The first post office in Ransom was established in 1887, but it was called Ogdensburgh until 1888. Ransom was incorporated as a city in 1905.
Geography
Ransom is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, all land.
As of the census of 2010, there were 294 people, 129 households, and 80 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 178 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 99.3% White and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.7% of the population. There were 129 households of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.0% were non-families. 36.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.68. The median age in the city was 52.7 years. 19.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 16.1% were from 25 to 44; 25.8% were from 45 to 64; and 35.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.9% male and 53.1% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 338 people, 141 households, and 83 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,036.3 people per square mile. There were 179 housing units at an average density of 548.8 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 99.41% White, 0.30% from other races, and 0.30% from two or more races. 0.59% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 141 households out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.1% were non-families. 40.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 23.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.88. In the city, the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 2.7% from 18 to 24, 20.1% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 31.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.7 males. The median income for a household in the city was $31,771, and the median income for a family was $43,333. Males had a median income of $28,542 versus $18,906 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,123. 5.2% of the population and 2.8% of families were below the poverty line. None of those under the age of 18 and 13.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
