Avoca ZIP Codes — Pottawattamie County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Avoca, Iowa and it is 51521. Area code: 712.

ZIP codes

87.41

sq mi land

0.48

sq mi water

712

area code

Avoca, IA ZIP code map

About Avoca, IA

Avoca, Iowa, is a charming city located in Pottawattamie County. Known for its tight-knit community and friendly atmosphere, Avoca offers a blend of small-town charm and modern conveniences. Residents enjoy a peaceful lifestyle while still having access to larger urban areas nearby.

Location & geography

Situated in the southwestern part of Iowa, Avoca is conveniently located near other towns, with Harlan about 12 miles to the west and Atlantic roughly 16 miles to the south. The city covers a total area of 87.41 square miles, complemented by 0.48 square miles of water. The terrain is predominantly flat, making it ideal for agriculture and outdoor activities.

Community & economy

The character of Avoca is defined by its strong sense of community and active local organizations. The economy is supported by agriculture, small businesses, and various industries that cater to the needs of residents and visitors alike. Daily life in Avoca includes community events, such as farmers' markets and seasonal festivals that bring people together.

Transportation

Avoca is easily accessible via Interstate 80, which runs just northwest of the city and connects it to larger metropolitan areas. The nearest airport is Eppley Airfield in Omaha, Nebraska, located approximately 45 miles to the north. Public transportation options are limited, but local services provide essential connectivity.

History

Avoca was established in the mid-19th century and has since developed a rich history tied to agriculture and commerce. The city's growth was fueled by its strategic location along trade routes, contributing to the development of key industries such as grain handling and retail. Notable events in Avoca's history include hosting various local fairs and celebrations that showcase its vibrant culture.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Avoca is that it is home to unique antique shops that attract visitors from surrounding areas. Additionally, the city holds an annual festival that celebrates its local heritage and community spirit.

ZIP codes for Avoca, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
51521	Avoca	Pottawattamie	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,857

Population

41.4

Median age

$68,324

Median household income

$39,906

Per capita income

$174,500

Median home value

$804

Median monthly rent

77.3%

Home ownership

9.8%

Poverty rate

1.8%

Unemployment

730

Housing units

26.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

104

35–44

105

45–54

114

55–59

60–64

133

65–74

156

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	427	23.0%
18 and over	1,430	77.0%
65 and over	464	25.0%
Median age	41.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 96.4%

Two or more races 2%

Hispanic or Latino 0.9%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%

Other race 0.3%

Asian 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	1,805	96.4%
Two or more races	37	2%
Hispanic or Latino	16	0.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native	6	0.3%
Other race	6	0.3%
Asian	3	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 3.7%

$10k–$15k 1.8%

$15k–$25k 15.1%

$25k–$35k 6.3%

$35k–$50k 6.7%

$50k–$75k 23.4%

$75k–$100k 11.2%

$100k–$150k 19.9%

$150k–$200k 6.9%

$200k+ 5.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.7%
$10k–$15k	1.8%
$15k–$25k	15.1%
$25k–$35k	6.3%
$35k–$50k	6.7%
$50k–$75k	23.4%
$75k–$100k	11.2%
$100k–$150k	19.9%
$150k–$200k	6.9%
$200k+	5.0%
Median income	$68,324

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 5.4%

$50k–$100k 16.4%

$100k–$150k 17.2%

$150k–$200k 18.8%

$200k–$300k 28.0%

$300k–$500k 10.3%

$500k–$1M 1.2%

$1M+ 2.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$174,500
Median rent / month	$804
Owner occupied	77.3%
Renter occupied	22.7%
Vacant	8.4%
Single-family detached	91.6%
Large apartment buildings	1.4%
Mobile homes	1.6%
Median rooms	6.5
Avg household size (owned)	2.27

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	9.1%
2000–2009	6.7%
1990–1999	4.7%
1980–1989	4.9%
1970–1979	10.7%
1960–1969	10.0%
1950–1959	5.3%
1940–1949	2.9%
1939 or earlier	45.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	7.7%
2 bedrooms	24.9%
3 bedrooms	45.9%
4 bedrooms	16.6%
5+ bedrooms	4.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.4%
1 vehicle	26.3%
2 vehicles	48.8%
3 or more	20.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	59.4%
Electricity	24.9%
Propane / LP gas	13.5%
Fuel oil	0.4%
Wood	1.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	418	49.5%
Cohabiting couple	81	9.6%
Male householder, no spouse	111	13.1%
Female householder, no spouse	235	27.8%
Households with children under 18	199	23.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	331	39.2%
Average household size	2.19

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	25.5%	22.8%
Married	60.5%	53.0%
Separated	0.0%	1.5%
Widowed	5.3%	11.4%
Divorced	8.8%	11.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.4%

Some HS, no diploma 4.3%

HS graduate 30.3%

Some college, no degree 25.2%

Associate's degree 12.8%

Bachelor's degree 17.9%

Graduate / professional 9.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	95.3%
Bachelor's or higher	26.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	26	7.8%
Kindergarten	11	3.3%
Elementary school	176	52.5%
High school	83	24.8%
College / grad school	39	11.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 25.5%

Manufacturing 12.4%

Retail trade 11.3%

Transportation & utilities 10.6%

Finance & real estate 8.2%

Professional & management 8.1%

Construction 7.2%

Agriculture & mining 5.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 3.1%

Wholesale trade 2.9%

Public administration 1.8%

Information 1.7%

Other services 1.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	48.1%
Service	5.8%
Sales & office	19.7%
Natural resources & construction	11.2%
Production & transportation	15.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	78.2%
Government	12.9%
Self-employed	8.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	88.7%
Carpool	5.5%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.7%
Avg commute (minutes)	23.0

Poverty

All people 9.8%

Under 18 years 14.5%

18 and over 8.4%

Married-couple families 1.2%

Female-led households 50.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	42.6%
Retirement income	24.6%
Supplemental Security	3.6%
Cash public assistance	1.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	8.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.3%
High cholesterol	35.8%
Heart disease	7.4%
Stroke	3.3%
Asthma	9.6%
Arthritis	29.0%
Kidney disease	3.1%
Pulmonary disease	7.6%
Cancer	7.7%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	20.7%
No physical activity	26.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.4%
Fair or poor health	13.5%
Poor mental health	13.4%
Poor physical health	10.2%
No health insurance	8.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.6%
Visited dentist	64.5%
Cholesterol screening	89.1%
Teeth loss	12.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	173	12.1%

Disability	%
Any disability	17.6%
Under 18	6.3%
18–64 years	10.2%
65 and over	43.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	71.7%
Public insurance	41.1%
Uninsured under 19	0.9%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,712	92.2%
Spanish	5	0.3%
Other Indo-European	5	0.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,854	99.8%
Born in same state	1,854	99.8%
Born in different state	1,262	68.0%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	3	0.2%
Not a US citizen	3	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	268	14.4%
Dutch	254	13.7%
French	132	7.1%
Arab	62	3.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	28	1.5%
English	22	1.2%
Irish	3	0.2%
German	2	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	45.5%
Internet access	88.8%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Avoca, IA have?

Avoca, IA has one ZIP code: 51521. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.