Centerville ZIP Codes — Appanoose County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Centerville, Iowa and it is 52544. Area code: 641.

ZIP codes

138.35

sq mi land

0.39

sq mi water

641

area code

Centerville, IA ZIP code map

About Centerville, IA

Centerville, Iowa, is a charming city located in Appanoose County. It is known for its rich history and vibrant community spirit. With a ZIP code of 52544, Centerville offers residents a unique blend of small-town charm and access to natural beauty.

Location & geography

Geographically, Centerville is positioned beautifully in southern Iowa, surrounded by rolling hills and lush landscapes. The city is approximately 13 miles west of the larger neighboring town of Ottumwa and about 29 miles east of Unionville, Missouri. The total land area is 138.35 square miles, with a small water area of 0.39 square miles, making it an ideal setting for outdoor activities.

Community & economy

Centerville's community is characterized by its friendly atmosphere and diverse population, fostering a welcoming environment for newcomers. The local economy thrives on agriculture and small businesses, with many residents engaged in industries such as manufacturing and services. Daily life in Centerville often revolves around community events and gatherings, reflecting the city's strong sense of camaraderie.

Transportation

Transportation in Centerville is facilitated by major highways, including U.S. Route 5 and Iowa Highway 2, which connect the city to surrounding areas. The nearest airport is the Ottumwa Regional Airport, located approximately 20 miles to the east, providing access to regional flights. Public transit options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary mode of transportation for residents.

History

Centerville was founded in the mid-19th century, serving as an important hub for agriculture and trade in Appanoose County. The city has historically been known for its coal mining industry, which played a significant role in its economic development. Notable events in its history include the establishment of the local fair, which has become a cherished annual tradition for residents.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Centerville is that it is home to the Iowa State Penitentiary, which has been a significant part of the local economy. Additionally, Centerville boasts a vibrant arts scene, with several galleries and community events showcasing local talent.

ZIP codes for Centerville, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
52544	Centerville	Appanoose	View map

Demographics & statistics

7,873

Population

45.7

Median age

$43,810

Median household income

$24,988

Per capita income

$110,900

Median home value

$756

Median monthly rent

63.5%

Home ownership

20.3%

Poverty rate

6.3%

Unemployment

2,789

Housing units

18.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

187

Under 5

197

242

5–9

253

261

10–14

273

209

15–19

219

144

20–24

151

409

25–34

429

446

35–44

467

426

45–54

446

239

55–59

251

321

60–64

336

543

65–74

570

234

75–84

245

183

85+

192

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,691	21.5%
18 and over	6,182	78.5%
65 and over	1,967	25.0%
Median age	45.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 92.6%

Two or more races 4.4%

Hispanic or Latino 2.2%

Black or African American 0.6%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%

Asian 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	7,452	92.6%
Two or more races	353	4.4%
Hispanic or Latino	173	2.2%
Black or African American	46	0.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	16	0.2%
Asian	6	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 6.4%

$10k–$15k 9.7%

$15k–$25k 11.7%

$25k–$35k 12.4%

$35k–$50k 16.9%

$50k–$75k 14.1%

$75k–$100k 13.2%

$100k–$150k 12.6%

$150k–$200k 1.9%

$200k+ 1.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.4%
$10k–$15k	9.7%
$15k–$25k	11.7%
$25k–$35k	12.4%
$35k–$50k	16.9%
$50k–$75k	14.1%
$75k–$100k	13.2%
$100k–$150k	12.6%
$150k–$200k	1.9%
$200k+	1.0%
Median income	$43,810

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 19.0%

$50k–$100k 24.9%

$100k–$150k 22.7%

$150k–$200k 16.6%

$200k–$300k 8.6%

$300k–$500k 5.5%

$500k–$1M 2.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$110,900
Median rent / month	$756
Owner occupied	63.5%
Renter occupied	36.5%
Vacant	17.2%
Single-family detached	76.2%
Large apartment buildings	7.5%
Mobile homes	5.5%
Median rooms	5.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.52

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.6%
2010–2019	2.7%
2000–2009	4.6%
1990–1999	4.3%
1980–1989	8.3%
1970–1979	15.8%
1960–1969	11.5%
1950–1959	6.4%
1940–1949	4.6%
1939 or earlier	41.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.7%
1 bedroom	10.4%
2 bedrooms	34.5%
3 bedrooms	38.6%
4 bedrooms	11.4%
5+ bedrooms	2.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	8.0%
1 vehicle	38.0%
2 vehicles	31.7%
3 or more	22.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	52.7%
Electricity	32.4%
Propane / LP gas	13.3%
Wood	0.8%
No fuel used	0.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,483	44.8%
Cohabiting couple	274	8.3%
Male householder, no spouse	561	17.0%
Female householder, no spouse	990	29.9%
Households with children under 18	783	23.7%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,394	42.1%
Average household size	2.33

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	33.9%	20.8%
Married	51.0%	46.3%
Separated	0.0%	0.2%
Widowed	2.4%	17.4%
Divorced	12.6%	15.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.5%

Some HS, no diploma 3.6%

HS graduate 38.2%

Some college, no degree 22.9%

Associate's degree 12.6%

Bachelor's degree 13.4%

Graduate / professional 5.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	91.9%
Bachelor's or higher	18.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	143	9.5%
Kindergarten	87	5.8%
Elementary school	846	56.0%
High school	282	18.7%
College / grad school	152	10.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.7%

Manufacturing 16.4%

Retail trade 12.9%

Construction 12.2%

Transportation & utilities 5.6%

Finance & real estate 5.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 5.5%

Other services 3.3%

Professional & management 3.2%

Agriculture & mining 3.1%

Wholesale trade 2.7%

Public administration 2.6%

Information 2.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	28.8%
Service	14.1%
Sales & office	23.9%
Natural resources & construction	10.6%
Production & transportation	22.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	76.1%
Government	13.3%
Self-employed	10.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.6%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	86.8%
Carpool	7.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.6%
Other means	0.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	18.8

Poverty

All people 20.3%

Under 18 years 23.1%

18 and over 19.6%

Married-couple families 10.8%

Female-led households 26.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	47.2%
Retirement income	30.5%
Supplemental Security	9.7%
Cash public assistance	1.9%
Food stamps / SNAP	18.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	38.4%
High cholesterol	35.6%
Heart disease	8.5%
Stroke	4.1%
Asthma	10.0%
Arthritis	30.2%
Kidney disease	3.7%
Pulmonary disease	9.2%
Cancer	8.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.9%
No physical activity	29.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	33.7%
Fair or poor health	16.8%
Poor mental health	14.3%
Poor physical health	12.0%
No health insurance	10.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.7%
Visited dentist	59.8%
Cholesterol screening	87.7%
Teeth loss	17.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	502	8.1%

Disability	%
Any disability	20.2%
Under 18	6.4%
18–64 years	17.6%
65 and over	38.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	61.5%
Public insurance	55.6%
Uninsured under 19	4.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	7,489	95.1%
Spanish	42	0.6%
Other Indo-European	42	0.6%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	7,762	98.6%
Born in same state	7,751	98.5%
Born in different state	5,694	72.3%
Foreign born	11	0.1%
Naturalized citizen	111	1.4%
Not a US citizen	56	50.5%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	1,342	17%
Italian	1,008	12.8%
Arab	477	6.1%
English	122	1.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	96	1.2%
German	6	0.1%
Dutch	5	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	42.0%
Internet access	90.7%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Centerville, IA have?

Centerville, IA has one ZIP code: 52544. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.