Runnells is a city in the southeastern corner of Polk County, Iowa, United States.It was named for John S. Runnells, a former editorial writer for the Iowa State Register and private secretary for Governor Samuel Merrill.[4] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.43 square miles (1.11 km2), all land.22.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.The racial makeup of the city was 98.58% White, 0.28% Native American, and 1.14% from two or more races.None of the families and 2.8% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 9.3% of those over 64.