Clear Lake ZIP Codes — Cerro Gordo County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Clear Lake, Iowa and it is 50428. Area code: 641.

ZIP codes

117.27

sq mi land

4.43

sq mi water

641

area code

Clear Lake, IA ZIP code map

About Clear Lake, IA

Clear Lake, Iowa, is a charming city located in Cerro Gordo County known for its picturesque lakeside views and friendly community. Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, it offers a blend of natural beauty and small-town charm. Clear Lake serves as a popular vacation destination, particularly during the summer months, drawing visitors for its outdoor activities and cultural events.

Location & geography

Clear Lake is situated in north-central Iowa, approximately 115 miles north of Des Moines and about 30 miles south of Mason City. The city encompasses a total land area of 117.27 square miles, with a notable 4.43 square miles designated as water, primarily consisting of Clear Lake itself. The city's diverse landscape includes a mixture of flat terrain and scenic waterfront, making it an attractive spot for both residents and tourists.

Community & economy

The community of Clear Lake is characterized by its welcoming atmosphere and a strong emphasis on local traditions and values. The economy is bolstered by industries such as tourism, manufacturing, and retail, with various local shops, restaurants, and annual events fostering a vibrant local culture. Daily life in Clear Lake typically includes outdoor activities, community festivals, and engagement in local arts, providing residents with an enriched living experience.

Transportation

Transportation in Clear Lake is accessible via U.S. Highway 18, providing convenient connections to neighboring cities and regions. The nearest major airport is Mason City Municipal Airport, located about 10 miles to the south, offering regional flights and services. Residents may also rely on local transit options that facilitate movement within the city and nearby areas.

History

Clear Lake was founded in the early 1850s, becoming a thriving community thanks to its strategic location near the lake and its potential for tourism. Key industries have varied over the years, initially focusing on agriculture and later expanding to include recreational businesses as the city developed as a vacation spot. Notable events in its history include the annual Clear Lake Fourth of July celebration, which highlights the community's spirit and dedication to family-friendly entertainment.

Did you know?

A surprising aspect of Clear Lake is that it is the site of the infamous plane crash that took the lives of music legends Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. 'The Big Bopper' Richardson in 1959, which is often referred to as 'The Day the Music Died.' Additionally, the city is home to the Clear Lake Festival of Trees, an annual event that gathers community members and showcases local artistry while promoting holiday cheer.

ZIP codes for Clear Lake, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
50428	Clear Lake	Cerro Gordo	View map

Demographics & statistics

9,119

Population

51.3

Median age

$69,426

Median household income

$50,961

Per capita income

$235,900

Median home value

$738

Median monthly rent

76.1%

Home ownership

6.0%

Poverty rate

2.7%

Unemployment

4,495

Housing units

33.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

186

Under 5

204

201

5–9

219

192

10–14

210

358

15–19

390

173

20–24

189

384

25–34

420

453

35–44

494

419

45–54

458

373

55–59

408

480

60–64

525

672

65–74

734

268

75–84

292

199

85+

218

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,679	18.4%
18 and over	7,440	81.6%
65 and over	2,383	26.1%
Median age	51.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 91.8%

Asian 3.5%

Two or more races 2.1%

Hispanic or Latino 1.2%

Other race 1%

Black or African American 0.4%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	8,471	91.8%
Asian	319	3.5%
Two or more races	195	2.1%
Hispanic or Latino	111	1.2%
Other race	90	1%
Black or African American	36	0.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native	6	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 2.5%

$10k–$15k 3.4%

$15k–$25k 8.2%

$25k–$35k 11.5%

$35k–$50k 13.2%

$50k–$75k 14.1%

$75k–$100k 12.7%

$100k–$150k 13.0%

$150k–$200k 9.3%

$200k+ 12.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.5%
$10k–$15k	3.4%
$15k–$25k	8.2%
$25k–$35k	11.5%
$35k–$50k	13.2%
$50k–$75k	14.1%
$75k–$100k	12.7%
$100k–$150k	13.0%
$150k–$200k	9.3%
$200k+	12.0%
Median income	$69,426

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 8.6%

$50k–$100k 5.4%

$100k–$150k 16.0%

$150k–$200k 12.1%

$200k–$300k 19.1%

$300k–$500k 24.2%

$500k–$1M 9.9%

$1M+ 4.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$235,900
Median rent / month	$738
Owner occupied	76.1%
Renter occupied	23.9%
Vacant	25.3%
Single-family detached	65.9%
Large apartment buildings	5.8%
Mobile homes	7.5%
Median rooms	5.8
Avg household size (owned)	2.45

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	2.8%
2010–2019	4.3%
2000–2009	11.5%
1990–1999	6.3%
1980–1989	8.3%
1970–1979	20.4%
1960–1969	10.9%
1950–1959	11.3%
1940–1949	5.5%
1939 or earlier	18.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.0%
1 bedroom	11.2%
2 bedrooms	24.5%
3 bedrooms	34.9%
4 bedrooms	19.8%
5+ bedrooms	7.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.3%
1 vehicle	30.9%
2 vehicles	39.0%
3 or more	24.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	69.7%
Electricity	21.4%
Propane / LP gas	8.3%
Wood	0.3%
No fuel used	0.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,128	52.0%
Cohabiting couple	253	6.2%
Male householder, no spouse	661	16.2%
Female householder, no spouse	1,048	25.6%
Households with children under 18	853	20.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,648	40.3%
Average household size	2.18

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	29.7%	21.7%
Married	56.8%	52.8%
Separated	0.4%	1.3%
Widowed	2.2%	10.7%
Divorced	10.8%	13.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.3%

Some HS, no diploma 2.7%

HS graduate 28.3%

Some college, no degree 19.6%

Associate's degree 13.3%

Bachelor's degree 23.2%

Graduate / professional 10.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	95.0%
Bachelor's or higher	33.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	141	7.4%
Kindergarten	137	7.2%
Elementary school	559	29.2%
High school	708	37.0%
College / grad school	371	19.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 23.6%

Retail trade 14.4%

Manufacturing 13.3%

Finance & real estate 8.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.4%

Agriculture & mining 6.2%

Professional & management 5.8%

Transportation & utilities 5.5%

Wholesale trade 5.1%

Construction 3.1%

Public administration 2.9%

Other services 2.3%

Information 1.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	41.8%
Service	14.6%
Sales & office	22.3%
Natural resources & construction	4.5%
Production & transportation	16.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	77.9%
Government	13.2%
Self-employed	8.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	81.1%
Carpool	5.5%
Public transit	0.2%
Walk	1.3%
Other means	1.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	20.0

Poverty

All people 6.0%

Under 18 years 3.1%

18 and over 6.6%

Married-couple families 0.7%

Female-led households 6.5%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	40.9%
Retirement income	29.7%
Supplemental Security	6.5%
Cash public assistance	1.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	8.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	34.7%
High cholesterol	35.0%
Heart disease	7.1%
Stroke	3.1%
Asthma	9.1%
Arthritis	26.9%
Kidney disease	3.0%
Pulmonary disease	6.6%
Cancer	8.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	19.7%
No physical activity	23.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.4%
Fair or poor health	11.8%
Poor mental health	12.3%
Poor physical health	9.2%
No health insurance	8.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.1%
Visited dentist	71.6%
Cholesterol screening	90.7%
Teeth loss	10.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	458	6.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.6%
Under 18	3.6%
18–64 years	11.2%
65 and over	33.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	75.8%
Public insurance	42.6%
Uninsured under 19	5.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	8,729	95.7%
Spanish	74	0.8%
Other Indo-European	17	0.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	57	0.7%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	8,850	97.1%
Born in same state	8,742	95.9%
Born in different state	6,674	73.2%
Foreign born	108	1.2%
Naturalized citizen	269	2.9%
Not a US citizen	227	84.4%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	1,119	12.3%
Italian	1,076	11.8%
French	899	9.9%
Dutch	260	2.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	246	2.7%
English	239	2.6%
Irish	8	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	44.9%
Internet access	91.1%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Clear Lake, IA have?

Clear Lake, IA has one ZIP code: 50428. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.