Curlew ZIP Codes — Palo Alto County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Curlew, Iowa and it is 50527. Area code: 712.
1
ZIP codes
47.50
sq mi land
0.69
sq mi water
712
area code
Curlew, IA ZIP code map

About Curlew, IA

Curlew is a small city located in Palo Alto County, Iowa. With its tranquil environment, it offers residents a close-knit community feel. Although it's a small city, Curlew embodies the charm and character of rural Iowa living.

Location & geography

Curlew is situated in the northwestern region of Iowa. It is surrounded by several small towns and is approximately 10 miles southeast of Emmetsburg, 15 miles northwest of Ruthven, and about 20 miles northeast of Spencer. The city encompasses a total land area of 47.50 square miles, complemented by a small water area of 0.69 square miles.

Community & economy

The community of Curlew thrives on its agricultural roots, with a significant focus on farming and local industries. Residents enjoy a quiet lifestyle, often participating in community events that reflect their shared values and traditions. Daily life is enriched by the hospitality of local establishments and a commitment to helping one another.

Transportation

Curlew is accessible via several local roads, with Highway 18 running nearby for convenient travel to neighboring cities. The closest named airport is the Emmetsburg Municipal Airport, providing essential travel links for the area's residents. Public transportation options are limited typically to personal vehicles and local carpools.

History

Curlew was founded in the late 19th century, driven by agricultural development in the area. Key industries initially included farming and local commerce, shaping the town's economy and community structure. Over the years, Curlew has maintained its rural charm and sense of community while adapting to the changes in Iowa's agricultural landscape.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Curlew is that it is one of the few towns in Iowa that retains a distinct rural character while still offering various local events throughout the year. The town's commitment to preserving its history and traditions adds to its unique charm.

ZIP codes for Curlew, IA (1)
ZIP code City County Map
50527 Curlew Palo Alto View map

Demographics & statistics

106
Population
61.4
Median age
$58,750
Median household income
$28,109
Per capita income
$75,000
Median home value
$0
Median monthly rent
84.8%
Home ownership
11.3%
Poverty rate
0.0%
Unemployment
56
Housing units
13.6%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
1
10–14
0
10
15–19
7
1
25–34
1
2
35–44
1
13
45–54
8
4
55–59
2
14
60–64
9
5
65–74
4
10
75–84
7
4
85+
3
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1854.7%
18 and over10195.3%
65 and over3331.1%
Median age61.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 100%
GroupCount%
White106100%

Household income

Under $10k 8.7%
$10k–$15k 8.7%
$25k–$35k 6.5%
$35k–$50k 23.9%
$50k–$75k 28.3%
$75k–$100k 10.9%
$100k–$150k 6.5%
$200k+ 6.5%
Range% of households
Under $10k8.7%
$10k–$15k8.7%
$25k–$35k6.5%
$35k–$50k23.9%
$50k–$75k28.3%
$75k–$100k10.9%
$100k–$150k6.5%
$200k+6.5%
Median income$58,750

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 38.5%
$50k–$100k 25.6%
$100k–$150k 12.8%
$200k–$300k 7.7%
$300k–$500k 15.4%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$75,000
Median rent / month$0
Owner occupied84.8%
Renter occupied15.2%
Vacant27.0%
Single-family detached96.8%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes0.0%
Median rooms6.3
Avg household size (owned)2.38

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20190.0%
2000–20090.0%
1990–19993.2%
1980–19890.0%
1970–197915.9%
1960–19690.0%
1950–195911.1%
1940–194917.5%
1939 or earlier52.4%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.0%
1 bedroom23.8%
2 bedrooms3.2%
3 bedrooms52.4%
4 bedrooms20.6%
5+ bedrooms0.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle6.5%
1 vehicle10.9%
2 vehicles41.3%
3 or more41.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Electricity21.7%
Propane / LP gas58.7%
Fuel oil8.7%
Wood10.9%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family3780.4%
Cohabiting couple24.3%
Male householder, no spouse613.0%
Female householder, no spouse12.2%
Households with children under 1836.5%
Households with seniors (65+)1737.0%
Average household size2.30

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married35.9%4.9%
Married59.4%92.7%
Separated0.0%0.0%
Widowed0.0%2.4%
Divorced4.7%0.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.3%
Some HS, no diploma 10.2%
HS graduate 37.5%
Some college, no degree 25.0%
Associate's degree 11.4%
Bachelor's degree 13.6%
Graduate / professional 0.0%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher87.5%
Bachelor's or higher13.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool00.0%
Kindergarten00.0%
Elementary school15.6%
High school422.2%
College / grad school1372.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Agriculture & mining 42.6%
Arts, food & hospitality 14.9%
Retail trade 12.8%
Construction 10.6%
Other services 6.4%
Wholesale trade 4.3%
Professional & management 4.3%
Education & healthcare 2.1%
Public administration 2.1%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts38.3%
Service14.9%
Sales & office14.9%
Natural resources & construction31.9%
Production & transportation0.0%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector76.6%
Government2.1%
Self-employed21.3%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone95.7%
Carpool0.0%
Public transit0.0%
Walk4.3%
Other means0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)26.3

Poverty

All people 11.3%
Under 18 years 20.0%
18 and over 10.9%
Married-couple families 5.4%
Female-led households 100.0%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security41.3%
Retirement income34.8%
Supplemental Security0.0%
Cash public assistance6.5%
Food stamps / SNAP8.7%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure37.8%
High cholesterol36.5%
Heart disease8.5%
Stroke3.8%
Asthma9.0%
Arthritis28.7%
Kidney disease3.4%
Pulmonary disease7.6%
Cancer8.5%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking19.7%
No physical activity26.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep29.4%
Fair or poor health13.9%
Poor mental health12.3%
Poor physical health10.3%
No health insurance9.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)76.5%
Visited dentist67.6%
Cholesterol screening90.0%
Teeth loss13.4%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans1110.9%
Disability%
Any disability11.3%
Under 180.0%
18–64 years2.9%
65 and over30.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance68.9%
Public insurance36.8%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only106100.0%
Spanish00.0%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)106100.0%
Born in same state106100.0%
Born in different state9286.8%
Foreign born00.0%
Naturalized citizen00.0%
Not a US citizen00.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Arab98.5%
Italian65.7%
Polish43.8%
AncestryCount%
English21.9%
French21.9%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access43.4%
Internet access91.3%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Curlew, IA have?
Curlew, IA has one ZIP code: 50527. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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