Russell is a city in Lucas County, Iowa, United States.

After being incorporated, a railway and railroad grain-tower were constructed along the town's edge allowing excess produce to be travelled elsewhere on the frontier.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.04 square miles (2.69 km2), all land.

There were 227 housing units at an average density of 221.4 per square mile (85.5/km2).

There were 250 housing units at an average density of 240.4 per square mile (92.8/km2).

27.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The racial makeup of the city was 98.57% White, 0.18% Native American, 0.36% Asian, and 0.89% from two or more races.

33.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The Russell School District was forced to close in 2008, making it the second time this happened in the state of Iowa; the other was Hedrick in 1990.

The Iowa Board of Education cited the district's financial problems, which left Russell school officials unable to provide students with a first-rate education.