Archer ZIP Code List — Obrien County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Archer, Iowa and it is 51231. Area code: 712.

ZIP codes

24.21

sq mi land

0.00

sq mi water

712

area code

Archer, IA ZIP code map

About Archer, IA

Archer is a small yet vibrant city located in Iowa, specifically within O'Brien County. This charming town offers a peaceful rural lifestyle, attracting those who appreciate close-knit communities and the beauty of the Midwest. Known for its warm hospitality, Archer provides residents and visitors with a unique glimpse into rural American life.

Location & geography

Situated in northwestern Iowa, Archer is surrounded by beautiful farmland and scenic landscapes. This city is located approximately 10 miles southwest of Sheldon's urban conveniences and about 15 miles southeast of Estherville. With a land area of 24.21 square miles, it has no water area, reflecting its solid terrestrial demographics.

Community & economy

The community in Archer is characterized by its friendly atmosphere and a strong sense of belonging. Many residents are involved in agricultural activities, with farming being a significant industry in the area. Daily life in Archer revolves around community events, local gatherings, and the shared values of rural living.

Transportation

Archer is accessible via several highways, with Highway 60 being a significant route for travel and commerce. The nearest airport for more extensive travel options is the Sioux City Airport, located about 60 miles away. Public transportation options are limited, making a personal vehicle the primary mode of transport for residents.

History

Archer was founded in the late 19th century, during a period of expansion in the Midwest that saw many small towns develop due to agriculture. Historically, the city has thrived largely due to the surrounding farming community and has maintained its rural character over the years. Notable events in Archer's history include annual community gatherings that celebrate its agricultural heritage.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Archer is that it has only one ZIP code, 51231, making it unique in its administrative simplicity. Additionally, the entire land area of Archer measures 24.21 square miles with absolutely no water bodies within city limits.

ZIP codes for Archer, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
51231	Archer	Obrien	View map

Demographics & statistics

621

Population

30.2

Median age

$100,547

Median household income

$25,390

Per capita income

$184,700

Median home value

Median monthly rent

97.3%

Home ownership

24.6%

Poverty rate

0.4%

Unemployment

183

Housing units

34.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	296	47.7%
18 and over	325	52.3%
65 and over	61	9.8%
Median age	30.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 100%

Group	Count	%
White	621	100%

Household income

Under $10k 2.2%

$10k–$15k 2.2%

$15k–$25k 4.4%

$25k–$35k 4.9%

$35k–$50k 9.9%

$50k–$75k 7.7%

$75k–$100k 11.0%

$100k–$150k 45.6%

$150k–$200k 11.5%

$200k+ 0.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.2%
$10k–$15k	2.2%
$15k–$25k	4.4%
$25k–$35k	4.9%
$35k–$50k	9.9%
$50k–$75k	7.7%
$75k–$100k	11.0%
$100k–$150k	45.6%
$150k–$200k	11.5%
$200k+	0.5%
Median income	$100,547

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 14.1%

$50k–$100k 16.9%

$100k–$150k 0.6%

$150k–$200k 40.1%

$200k–$300k 15.3%

$300k–$500k 13.0%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$184,700
Median rent / month	$0
Owner occupied	97.3%
Renter occupied	2.7%
Vacant	3.2%
Single-family detached	96.3%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	2.7%
Median rooms	5.4
Avg household size (owned)	3.38

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	5.9%
2000–2009	3.2%
1990–1999	2.7%
1980–1989	2.1%
1970–1979	4.3%
1960–1969	8.5%
1950–1959	44.7%
1940–1949	4.8%
1939 or earlier	23.9%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	2.7%
2 bedrooms	51.6%
3 bedrooms	32.4%
4 bedrooms	13.3%
5+ bedrooms	0.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.0%
1 vehicle	7.7%
2 vehicles	23.6%
3 or more	68.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	18.7%
Electricity	55.5%
Propane / LP gas	25.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	152	83.5%
Cohabiting couple	0	0.0%
Male householder, no spouse	20	11.0%
Female householder, no spouse	10	5.5%
Households with children under 18	103	56.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	46	25.3%
Average household size	3.41

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	6.9%	17.9%
Married	86.2%	76.8%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	2.3%	4.2%
Divorced	4.6%	1.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.0%

Some HS, no diploma 1.6%

HS graduate 24.3%

Some college, no degree 28.1%

Associate's degree 12.0%

Bachelor's degree 29.0%

Graduate / professional 5.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	98.4%
Bachelor's or higher	34.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	49	24.7%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	134	67.7%
High school	6	3.0%
College / grad school	9	4.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 28.9%

Education & healthcare 27.3%

Construction 9.1%

Public administration 8.3%

Retail trade 6.2%

Wholesale trade 4.5%

Other services 4.5%

Finance & real estate 4.1%

Agriculture & mining 3.7%

Transportation & utilities 1.2%

Professional & management 0.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 0.8%

Information 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	33.1%
Service	10.3%
Sales & office	11.2%
Natural resources & construction	14.9%
Production & transportation	30.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	71.1%
Government	15.7%
Self-employed	13.2%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	91.3%
Carpool	4.5%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.4%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	24.1

Poverty

All people 24.6%

Under 18 years 37.8%

18 and over 12.6%

Married-couple families 9.2%

Female-led households 50.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	24.2%
Retirement income	17.6%
Supplemental Security	0.5%
Cash public assistance	0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	3.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.9%
High cholesterol	35.9%
Heart disease	7.9%
Stroke	3.6%
Asthma	9.1%
Arthritis	28.0%
Kidney disease	3.3%
Pulmonary disease	7.9%
Cancer	8.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	19.9%
No physical activity	28.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.6%
Fair or poor health	13.9%
Poor mental health	12.8%
Poor physical health	10.6%
No health insurance	9.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.4%
Visited dentist	66.4%
Cholesterol screening	90.2%
Teeth loss	13.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	16	4.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	9.7%
Under 18	8.4%
18–64 years	4.9%
65 and over	36.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	65.9%
Public insurance	19.0%
Uninsured under 19	29.1%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	516	83.1%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	619	99.7%
Born in same state	619	99.7%
Born in different state	532	85.7%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	2	0.3%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	89	14.3%
English	62	10%
Italian	12	1.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
French	7	1.1%
Polish	6	1%
Dutch	2	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	29.3%
Internet access	98.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Archer, IA?

Archer, IA has one ZIP code: 51231.

What is the main ZIP code for Archer, IA?

The primary ZIP code for Archer, IA is 51231. The city uses area code 712 for phone service.

What county is Archer, IA in?

Archer is located in Obrien County, Iowa.

How many ZIP codes are in Archer, IA?

Archer, IA has 1 ZIP code.

What is the ZIP code for downtown Archer, Iowa?

Downtown Archer, Iowa is located in ZIP code 51231, which serves the central business district and historic core of this small O'Brien County community.

What ZIP code should I use for mailing addresses in Archer, IA?

All mailing addresses in Archer, Iowa use the single ZIP code 51231, as this is the only ZIP code that serves the entire city.