Buffalo Center ZIP Code List — Winnebago County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Buffalo Center, Iowa and it is 50424. Area code: 641.
1
ZIP codes
139.20
sq mi land
0.00
sq mi water
641
area code
Buffalo Center, IA ZIP code map

About Buffalo Center, IA

Buffalo Center, Iowa, is a charming small town located in the northern part of the state. It offers a sense of community and a welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors alike. This quaint city is known for its rich history and picturesque landscapes.

Location & geography

Buffalo Center is situated in Winnebago County, making it a part of the beautiful North Central Iowa region. The town is surrounded by several neighboring cities, including Lakota, which is approximately 8 miles to the east, and Thompson, located around 10 miles to the southwest. Covering a land area of 139.20 square miles, Buffalo Center boasts a primarily flat terrain with no water area.

Community & economy

The character of Buffalo Center is marked by a close-knit community that takes pride in its local traditions and events. The town's economy is primarily supported by agriculture and small businesses, contributing to its vibrant daily life. Residents enjoy various community activities that foster a strong sense of belonging among its inhabitants.

Transportation

Buffalo Center is conveniently located near several highways, making it easily accessible for travelers. The town is serviced by U.S. Route 9 and Iowa Highway 15, which connect it to larger urban areas nearby. The nearest major airport is Mason City Municipal Airport, situated about 30 miles to the west.

History

Buffalo Center was founded in the late 19th century and has a rich agricultural heritage. The town's key industries have primarily revolved around farming and livestock, which continue to play an essential role in the local economy. Over the years, Buffalo Center has celebrated various festivals that highlight its history and community spirit.

Did you know?

One little-known fact about Buffalo Center is its unique name that reflects the area's historical ties to buffalo herds that once roamed the plains. Additionally, the town boasts a dedication to preserving its community heritage through local events and historical landmarks.

ZIP codes for Buffalo Center, IA (1)
ZIP code City County Map
50424 Buffalo Center Winnebago View map

Demographics & statistics

1,532
Population
54.2
Median age
$59,100
Median household income
$36,917
Per capita income
$105,200
Median home value
$633
Median monthly rent
74.4%
Home ownership
6.1%
Poverty rate
5.1%
Unemployment
631
Housing units
27.4%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
23
Under 5
22
52
5–9
48
59
10–14
55
28
15–19
26
11
20–24
10
75
25–34
70
56
35–44
52
114
45–54
107
98
55–59
92
81
60–64
75
106
65–74
99
67
75–84
63
22
85+
21
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1829519.3%
18 and over1,23780.7%
65 and over37824.7%
Median age54.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 97.3%
Two or more races 1.2%
Hispanic or Latino 0.9%
Asian 0.6%
GroupCount%
White1,50497.3%
Two or more races191.2%
Hispanic or Latino140.9%
Asian90.6%

Household income

Under $10k 8.1%
$10k–$15k 0.7%
$15k–$25k 17.1%
$25k–$35k 5.6%
$35k–$50k 12.4%
$50k–$75k 15.6%
$75k–$100k 9.0%
$100k–$150k 22.6%
$150k–$200k 3.4%
$200k+ 5.4%
Range% of households
Under $10k8.1%
$10k–$15k0.7%
$15k–$25k17.1%
$25k–$35k5.6%
$35k–$50k12.4%
$50k–$75k15.6%
$75k–$100k9.0%
$100k–$150k22.6%
$150k–$200k3.4%
$200k+5.4%
Median income$59,100

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 14.6%
$50k–$100k 30.3%
$100k–$150k 38.2%
$150k–$200k 6.3%
$200k–$300k 7.9%
$300k–$500k 0.6%
$500k–$1M 2.1%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$105,200
Median rent / month$633
Owner occupied74.4%
Renter occupied25.6%
Vacant13.6%
Single-family detached85.3%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes3.1%
Median rooms6.5
Avg household size (owned)2.02

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20193.3%
2000–20091.6%
1990–19990.6%
1980–19890.4%
1970–197919.6%
1960–196911.6%
1950–195920.7%
1940–194912.1%
1939 or earlier30.0%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.2%
1 bedroom6.0%
2 bedrooms36.0%
3 bedrooms35.1%
4 bedrooms19.0%
5+ bedrooms3.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle0.7%
1 vehicle36.4%
2 vehicles38.1%
3 or more24.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas45.1%
Electricity14.1%
Propane / LP gas36.4%
Fuel oil3.3%
No fuel used1.0%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family37653.7%
Cohabiting couple233.3%
Male householder, no spouse18025.7%
Female householder, no spouse12117.3%
Households with children under 1813919.9%
Households with seniors (65+)24034.3%
Average household size2.14

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married25.9%10.5%
Married56.7%65.0%
Separated0.0%1.3%
Widowed1.8%18.5%
Divorced15.6%4.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.8%
Some HS, no diploma 0.8%
HS graduate 37.3%
Some college, no degree 15.4%
Associate's degree 17.3%
Bachelor's degree 23.4%
Graduate / professional 4.0%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher97.3%
Bachelor's or higher27.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool41.5%
Kindergarten00.0%
Elementary school20575.4%
High school5821.3%
College / grad school51.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 18.7%
Agriculture & mining 16.6%
Transportation & utilities 13.6%
Finance & real estate 11.2%
Construction 10.4%
Retail trade 9.5%
Arts, food & hospitality 7.9%
Manufacturing 5.0%
Professional & management 3.2%
Other services 2.8%
Wholesale trade 0.8%
Public administration 0.4%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts36.9%
Service10.7%
Sales & office24.8%
Natural resources & construction14.2%
Production & transportation13.4%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector72.3%
Government8.9%
Self-employed18.5%
Unpaid family workers0.3%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone65.7%
Carpool7.6%
Public transit0.0%
Walk15.1%
Other means0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)18.3

Poverty

All people 6.1%
Under 18 years 2.0%
18 and over 7.1%
Married-couple families 0.8%
Female-led households 10.5%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security48.1%
Retirement income22.3%
Supplemental Security0.7%
Cash public assistance0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP14.4%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure40.7%
High cholesterol38.0%
Heart disease9.5%
Stroke4.2%
Asthma9.0%
Arthritis31.1%
Kidney disease3.9%
Pulmonary disease8.6%
Cancer9.7%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking17.6%
No physical activity27.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep29.9%
Fair or poor health15.3%
Poor mental health12.1%
Poor physical health11.1%
No health insurance9.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)77.6%
Visited dentist67.0%
Cholesterol screening91.0%
Teeth loss14.6%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans1199.6%
Disability%
Any disability14.4%
Under 181.7%
18–64 years15.2%
65 and over23.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance70.4%
Public insurance47.9%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only1,48797.1%
Spanish231.5%
Other Indo-European181.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages50.3%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)1,50698.3%
Born in same state1,50698.3%
Born in different state1,06869.7%
Foreign born00.0%
Naturalized citizen261.7%
Not a US citizen2492.3%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Polish44729.2%
English21814.2%
French1117.2%
AncestryCount%
Italian1077%
Arab503.3%
Dutch20.1%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access45.7%
Internet access94.3%

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

Frequently asked questions
What is the ZIP code for Buffalo Center, IA?
Buffalo Center, IA has one ZIP code: 50424.
What is the main ZIP code for Buffalo Center, IA?
The primary ZIP code for Buffalo Center, IA is 50424. The city uses area code 641 for phone service.
What county is Buffalo Center, IA in?
Buffalo Center is located in Winnebago County, Iowa.
How many ZIP codes are in Buffalo Center, IA?
Buffalo Center, IA has 1 ZIP code.
What is the ZIP code for downtown Buffalo Center, Iowa?
Downtown Buffalo Center is located in ZIP code 50424, which serves as the primary postal code for the entire city in Winnebago County.
What ZIP code should I use when mailing to businesses in Buffalo Center, IA?
All businesses and residences in Buffalo Center use ZIP code 50424 for mailing addresses.
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