Cresco ZIP Codes — Howard County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Cresco, Iowa and it is 52136. Area code: 563.

ZIP codes

210.42

sq mi land

0.09

sq mi water

563

area code

Cresco, IA ZIP code map

About Cresco, IA

Cresco, Iowa, is a charming city located in the heart of Howard County. Known for its friendly community and rich agricultural heritage, Cresco provides a welcoming environment for both residents and visitors. The city is a perfect blend of rural beauty and modern conveniences, making it a great place to live and explore.

Location & geography

Cresco is situated in the northeastern part of Iowa, approximately 25 miles southeast of Decorah and about 18 miles northwest of Osage. Surrounded by lush farmland and rolling hills, the city covers a total land area of 210.42 square miles, with a small water area of 0.09 square miles. Its scenic terrain and proximity to the Upper Iowa River make it an appealing destination for outdoor activities.

Community & economy

The character of Cresco is deeply rooted in its agricultural community, with a strong focus on farming and related industries. Residents enjoy a close-knit atmosphere, with various local events and festivals that celebrate the town's heritage and bring people together. Daily life in Cresco is marked by a mix of rural charm and local businesses that cater to the needs of the community.

Transportation

Cresco is accessible via several major roadways, including U.S. Highway 63 which connects it to neighboring cities and regions. The nearest major airport is the Mason City Municipal Airport, located about 40 miles away, providing access for both personal and commercial travel. Local public transit options may be limited, but the city's layout allows for convenient driving and biking.

History

Cresco was founded in the mid-1800s and has a rich history as a hub for agriculture and commerce within Howard County. It has played an important role in the dairy and livestock industries, which continue to be significant contributors to the local economy. Notable events in Cresco's history include the establishment of the local creamery, which helped shape the area's identity as a center for dairy production.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Cresco is that it is home to the annual Cresco Carnival, a vibrant event that brings together the community with rides, games, and entertainment each summer. Additionally, Cresco boasts a thriving arts scene, with local galleries and events that showcase the talents of regional artists.

ZIP codes for Cresco, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
52136	Cresco	Howard	View map

Demographics & statistics

5,917

Population

42.4

Median age

$62,003

Median household income

$33,420

Per capita income

$148,500

Median home value

$803

Median monthly rent

75.8%

Home ownership

8.5%

Poverty rate

1.2%

Unemployment

2,119

Housing units

20.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

189

Under 5

177

212

5–9

200

179

10–14

168

130

15–19

123

165

20–24

156

336

25–34

317

337

35–44

318

308

45–54

290

305

55–59

287

259

60–64

244

355

65–74

335

179

75–84

169

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,332	22.5%
18 and over	4,585	77.5%
65 and over	1,217	20.6%
Median age	42.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 96%

Two or more races 2.3%

Hispanic or Latino 1.1%

Black or African American 0.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%

Asian 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	5,741	96%
Two or more races	140	2.3%
Hispanic or Latino	64	1.1%
Black or African American	16	0.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	12	0.2%
Asian	8	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 1.6%

$10k–$15k 6.0%

$15k–$25k 5.8%

$25k–$35k 9.2%

$35k–$50k 12.0%

$50k–$75k 22.2%

$75k–$100k 16.4%

$100k–$150k 20.7%

$150k–$200k 2.3%

$200k+ 3.9%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	1.6%
$10k–$15k	6.0%
$15k–$25k	5.8%
$25k–$35k	9.2%
$35k–$50k	12.0%
$50k–$75k	22.2%
$75k–$100k	16.4%
$100k–$150k	20.7%
$150k–$200k	2.3%
$200k+	3.9%
Median income	$62,003

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 5.4%

$50k–$100k 27.0%

$100k–$150k 18.0%

$150k–$200k 16.6%

$200k–$300k 16.1%

$300k–$500k 13.2%

$500k–$1M 3.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$148,500
Median rent / month	$803
Owner occupied	75.8%
Renter occupied	24.2%
Vacant	14.4%
Single-family detached	90.0%
Large apartment buildings	0.7%
Mobile homes	0.9%
Median rooms	6.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.53

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	1.3%
2010–2019	3.0%
2000–2009	7.2%
1990–1999	4.4%
1980–1989	8.2%
1970–1979	15.7%
1960–1969	9.5%
1950–1959	4.4%
1940–1949	10.9%
1939 or earlier	35.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.0%
1 bedroom	5.6%
2 bedrooms	23.7%
3 bedrooms	46.9%
4 bedrooms	17.7%
5+ bedrooms	5.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.6%
1 vehicle	19.7%
2 vehicles	40.3%
3 or more	33.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	56.2%
Electricity	11.4%
Propane / LP gas	24.2%
Fuel oil	0.7%
Wood	6.5%
Solar	0.1%
No fuel used	0.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,381	60.3%
Cohabiting couple	148	6.5%
Male householder, no spouse	461	20.1%
Female householder, no spouse	299	13.1%
Households with children under 18	623	27.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	726	31.7%
Average household size	2.50

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	24.4%	19.9%
Married	57.6%	61.7%
Separated	1.3%	0.0%
Widowed	2.9%	7.0%
Divorced	13.8%	11.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.4%

Some HS, no diploma 3.9%

HS graduate 41.8%

Some college, no degree 18.6%

Associate's degree 12.3%

Bachelor's degree 15.6%

Graduate / professional 4.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	92.7%
Bachelor's or higher	20.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	88	7.8%
Kindergarten	113	10.0%
Elementary school	559	49.5%
High school	231	20.4%
College / grad school	139	12.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 23.1%

Education & healthcare 21.6%

Retail trade 16.0%

Agriculture & mining 7.9%

Construction 6.7%

Arts, food & hospitality 4.7%

Professional & management 4.1%

Other services 3.8%

Wholesale trade 3.5%

Finance & real estate 3.4%

Public administration 3.0%

Transportation & utilities 2.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	23.7%
Service	11.0%
Sales & office	22.5%
Natural resources & construction	16.5%
Production & transportation	26.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	77.9%
Government	12.8%
Self-employed	8.3%
Unpaid family workers	1.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	77.4%
Carpool	6.6%
Public transit	0.6%
Walk	3.3%
Other means	2.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	18.3

Poverty

All people 8.5%

Under 18 years 10.2%

18 and over 8.0%

Married-couple families 0.8%

Female-led households 40.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	33.3%
Retirement income	19.2%
Supplemental Security	5.9%
Cash public assistance	2.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	6.1%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	33.6%
High cholesterol	33.8%
Heart disease	7.1%
Stroke	3.2%
Asthma	9.1%
Arthritis	26.4%
Kidney disease	3.0%
Pulmonary disease	7.0%
Cancer	7.7%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	21.1%
No physical activity	24.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.6%
Fair or poor health	12.9%
Poor mental health	13.2%
Poor physical health	9.8%
No health insurance	9.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.1%
Visited dentist	65.6%
Cholesterol screening	88.7%
Teeth loss	13.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	414	9.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	11.3%
Under 18	0.5%
18–64 years	10.8%
65 and over	26.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	70.5%
Public insurance	37.4%
Uninsured under 19	10.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	5,551	93.8%
Spanish	35	0.6%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	35	0.6%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	5,895	99.6%
Born in same state	5,895	99.6%
Born in different state	4,386	74.1%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	22	0.4%
Not a US citizen	4	18.2%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	982	16.6%
Italian	601	10.2%
Arab	282	4.8%
French	195	3.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	68	1.1%
Dutch	11	0.2%
German	9	0.2%
Irish	9	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	38.7%
Internet access	90.2%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Cresco, IA have?

Cresco, IA has one ZIP code: 52136. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.