Chester ZIP Codes — Howard County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Chester, Iowa and it is 52134. Area code: 563/641.

ZIP codes

27.75

sq mi land

0.00

sq mi water

563/641

area code

Chester, IA ZIP code map

About Chester, IA

Chester is a charming city located in Iowa, specifically in Howard County. This small community offers a unique blend of rural charm and local character. Its vibrant atmosphere reflects the close-knit bonds among residents and a commitment to preserving its history.

Location & geography

Chester is situated in northeastern Iowa, approximately 60 miles northeast of Waterloo and about 30 miles west of the Mississippi River. Surrounded by lush farmland, the city covers an area of 27.75 square miles, with no bodies of water within its limits. The landscape features gently rolling terrain typical of the region, which makes it a picturesque spot in Howard County.

Community & economy

The character of Chester is defined by its friendly residents and a strong sense of community. Agriculture plays a significant role in the local economy, with many residents engaged in farming and related industries. Daily life in Chester revolves around community events, small businesses, and the beautiful natural surroundings that enhance the quality of life.

Transportation

Chester is accessible via U.S. Highway 63, which connects to larger road networks in the region. The nearest major airport is in Waterloo, roughly 60 miles away, providing air service for longer travel needs. Public transportation options may be limited, as Chester is primarily a rural community.

History

Chester was founded in the 19th century and has a rich agricultural history that has shaped its development. The city grew as nearby farmland was cultivated, supporting local industries and trade. Notable events in the city's history include community fairs and annual gatherings that celebrate local culture and heritage.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Chester is that it has maintained its small-town charm while fostering a strong community spirit through various local events. Additionally, Chester is recognized for its commitment to agriculture and sustainable practices, which reflects the values of its residents.

ZIP codes for Chester, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
52134	Chester	Howard	View map

Demographics & statistics

305

Population

28.7

Median age

$70,461

Median household income

$30,674

Per capita income

$203,100

Median home value

Median monthly rent

96.5%

Home ownership

8.9%

Poverty rate

7.6%

Unemployment

147

Housing units

7.7%

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	61	20.0%
18 and over	244	80.0%
65 and over	50	16.4%
Median age	28.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 95.4%

Asian 4.3%

Two or more races 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	291	95.4%
Asian	13	4.3%
Two or more races	1	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 1.8%

$10k–$15k 3.5%

$15k–$25k 4.4%

$25k–$35k 4.4%

$35k–$50k 15.0%

$50k–$75k 34.5%

$75k–$100k 5.3%

$100k–$150k 8.8%

$150k–$200k 7.1%

$200k+ 15.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	1.8%
$10k–$15k	3.5%
$15k–$25k	4.4%
$25k–$35k	4.4%
$35k–$50k	15.0%
$50k–$75k	34.5%
$75k–$100k	5.3%
$100k–$150k	8.8%
$150k–$200k	7.1%
$200k+	15.0%
Median income	$70,461

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 13.8%

$50k–$100k 18.3%

$100k–$150k 14.7%

$150k–$200k 2.8%

$200k–$300k 7.3%

$300k–$500k 37.6%

$500k–$1M 5.5%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$203,100
Median rent / month	$0
Owner occupied	96.5%
Renter occupied	3.5%
Vacant	25.2%
Single-family detached	78.8%
Large apartment buildings	1.3%
Mobile homes	15.9%
Median rooms	6.2
Avg household size (owned)	2.71

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	5.3%
2000–2009	10.6%
1990–1999	0.0%
1980–1989	0.0%
1970–1979	15.9%
1960–1969	0.7%
1950–1959	1.3%
1940–1949	2.0%
1939 or earlier	64.2%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	3.3%
2 bedrooms	28.5%
3 bedrooms	18.5%
4 bedrooms	37.1%
5+ bedrooms	12.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	1.8%
1 vehicle	15.9%
2 vehicles	25.7%
3 or more	56.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Electricity	29.2%
Propane / LP gas	48.7%
Fuel oil	3.5%
Wood	16.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	57	50.4%
Cohabiting couple	23	20.4%
Male householder, no spouse	9	8.0%
Female householder, no spouse	24	21.2%
Households with children under 18	38	33.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	46	40.7%
Average household size	2.70

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	48.6%	29.4%
Married	50.5%	39.9%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	0.0%	17.5%
Divorced	0.9%	13.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 11.5%

Some HS, no diploma 0.0%

HS graduate 43.7%

Some college, no degree 25.1%

Associate's degree 12.0%

Bachelor's degree 4.4%

Graduate / professional 3.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	88.5%
Bachelor's or higher	7.7%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	5	12.5%
Elementary school	20	50.0%
High school	6	15.0%
College / grad school	9	22.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.5%

Retail trade 23.3%

Manufacturing 15.7%

Professional & management 12.6%

Construction 11.3%

Finance & real estate 5.7%

Agriculture & mining 2.5%

Wholesale trade 2.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 1.9%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	21.4%
Service	24.5%
Sales & office	32.7%
Natural resources & construction	13.8%
Production & transportation	7.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	98.7%
Government	0.0%
Self-employed	1.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	43.4%
Carpool	35.8%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	8.8%
Other means	3.1%
Avg commute (minutes)	32.7

Poverty

All people 8.9%

Under 18 years 0.0%

18 and over 11.1%

Married-couple families 0.0%

Female-led households 8.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	32.7%
Retirement income	35.4%
Supplemental Security	1.8%
Cash public assistance	16.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	3.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.7%
High cholesterol	36.7%
Heart disease	8.5%
Stroke	3.8%
Asthma	9.6%
Arthritis	29.4%
Kidney disease	3.5%
Pulmonary disease	8.6%
Cancer	8.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	19.4%
No physical activity	27.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.2%
Fair or poor health	15.7%
Poor mental health	13.5%
Poor physical health	11.6%
No health insurance	9.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.4%
Visited dentist	61.7%
Cholesterol screening	89.3%
Teeth loss	15.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	8	3.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	11.1%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	8.2%
65 and over	36.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	73.1%
Public insurance	35.1%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	275	90.2%
Spanish	1	0.4%
Other Indo-European	1	0.4%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	291	95.4%
Born in same state	283	92.8%
Born in different state	129	42.3%
Foreign born	8	2.6%
Naturalized citizen	14	4.6%
Not a US citizen	13	92.9%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	36	11.8%
French	31	10.2%
Arab	16	5.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	9	3%
Italian	7	2.3%
English	2	0.7%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	37.0%
Internet access	94.7%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Chester, IA have?

Chester, IA has one ZIP code: 52134. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.