Cylinder ZIP Codes — Palo Alto County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Cylinder, Iowa and it is 50528. Area code: 712.

ZIP codes

74.50

sq mi land

0.00

sq mi water

712

area code

Cylinder, IA ZIP code map

About Cylinder, IA

Cylinder is a small city located in Palo Alto County, Iowa. Known for its rural charm, this community offers a unique glimpse into the heart of the Midwest. With its friendly atmosphere and tight-knit community, Cylinder provides a peaceful lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of larger urban centers.

Location & geography

Situated in the northwest part of Iowa, Cylinder covers a land area of 74.50 square miles and boasts no water area. The city is approximately 15 miles southwest of Emmetsburg and around 25 miles south of Spencer, making it accessible to these larger towns. The terrain is primarily flat, characteristic of the region's agricultural landscape.

Community & economy

Cylinder is characterized by its friendly, close-knit community that emphasizes local connections and traditions. The economy in this area is largely driven by agriculture, with many residents involved in farming and related industries. Daily life in Cylinder often revolves around community events, local gatherings, and support for small businesses.

Transportation

Access to Cylinder is primarily served by County Roads and local highways, making it easily reachable for visitors. The nearest named airports include the Emmetsburg Municipal Airport and Spencer Municipal Airport, both providing regional connectivity. Public transit options are limited due to the city's rural nature.

History

Cylinder was founded as part of the agricultural expansion in the region and has maintained its small-town charm over the years. The city initially thrived on farming and related industries, which are still prevalent today. Notable events in Cylinder's history include annual harvest festivals that celebrate its agricultural roots.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Cylinder is that it has a single ZIP code, 50528, which further reinforces its small-town identity. Despite its modest size, the city fosters a strong sense of community among its residents.

ZIP codes for Cylinder, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
50528	Cylinder	Palo Alto	View map

Demographics & statistics

344

Population

33.0

Median age

$70,313

Median household income

$45,267

Per capita income

Median home value

$616

Median monthly rent

71.7%

Home ownership

1.2%

Poverty rate

10.6%

Unemployment

126

Housing units

30.0%

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	116	33.7%
18 and over	228	66.3%
65 and over	50	14.5%
Median age	33.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 88.9%

Two or more races 9.4%

Hispanic or Latino 1.7%

Group	Count	%
White	311	88.9%
Two or more races	33	9.4%
Hispanic or Latino	6	1.7%

Household income

$10k–$15k 1.6%

$15k–$25k 6.3%

$25k–$35k 5.5%

$35k–$50k 14.2%

$50k–$75k 27.6%

$75k–$100k 1.6%

$100k–$150k 13.4%

$150k–$200k 7.9%

$200k+ 22.0%

Range	% of households
$10k–$15k	1.6%
$15k–$25k	6.3%
$25k–$35k	5.5%
$35k–$50k	14.2%
$50k–$75k	27.6%
$75k–$100k	1.6%
$100k–$150k	13.4%
$150k–$200k	7.9%
$200k+	22.0%
Median income	$70,313

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 6.6%

$50k–$100k 23.1%

$100k–$150k 19.8%

$150k–$200k 4.4%

$200k–$300k 4.4%

$300k–$500k 24.2%

$500k–$1M 7.7%

$1M+ 9.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$0
Median rent / month	$616
Owner occupied	71.7%
Renter occupied	28.3%
Vacant	21.6%
Single-family detached	100.0%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	0.0%
Median rooms	10.0
Avg household size (owned)	3.07

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	1.2%
2000–2009	11.7%
1990–1999	0.0%
1980–1989	4.9%
1970–1979	17.9%
1960–1969	0.0%
1950–1959	14.2%
1940–1949	9.9%
1939 or earlier	40.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	2.5%
2 bedrooms	17.9%
3 bedrooms	30.2%
4 bedrooms	35.8%
5+ bedrooms	13.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.0%
1 vehicle	23.6%
2 vehicles	50.4%
3 or more	26.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	21.3%
Electricity	24.4%
Propane / LP gas	44.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	75	59.1%
Cohabiting couple	0	0.0%
Male householder, no spouse	32	25.2%
Female householder, no spouse	20	15.7%
Households with children under 18	47	37.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	30	23.6%
Average household size	2.71

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	33.3%	21.5%
Married	61.2%	66.9%
Separated	3.9%	0.0%
Widowed	0.0%	8.5%
Divorced	1.6%	3.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.0%

Some HS, no diploma 0.9%

HS graduate 28.2%

Some college, no degree 25.8%

Associate's degree 15.0%

Bachelor's degree 23.9%

Graduate / professional 6.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	99.1%
Bachelor's or higher	30.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	7	7.7%
Kindergarten	3	3.3%
Elementary school	49	53.8%
High school	31	34.1%
College / grad school	1	1.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 30.9%

Agriculture & mining 13.2%

Manufacturing 12.5%

Construction 9.2%

Other services 7.2%

Transportation & utilities 6.6%

Retail trade 5.9%

Wholesale trade 4.6%

Public administration 4.6%

Finance & real estate 2.0%

Arts, food & hospitality 2.0%

Professional & management 1.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	36.8%
Service	16.4%
Sales & office	10.5%
Natural resources & construction	15.8%
Production & transportation	20.4%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	72.4%
Government	7.9%
Self-employed	18.4%
Unpaid family workers	1.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	78.3%
Carpool	12.5%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	24.5

Poverty

All people 1.2%

Under 18 years 0.0%

18 and over 1.8%

Married-couple families 2.7%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	30.7%
Retirement income	11.8%
Supplemental Security	2.4%
Cash public assistance	0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	1.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	34.8%
High cholesterol	35.2%
Heart disease	6.8%
Stroke	2.9%
Asthma	8.8%
Arthritis	26.3%
Kidney disease	2.8%
Pulmonary disease	6.4%
Cancer	7.8%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	21.9%
No physical activity	22.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.2%
Fair or poor health	11.2%
Poor mental health	12.0%
Poor physical health	9.0%
No health insurance	7.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.5%
Visited dentist	71.9%
Cholesterol screening	90.8%
Teeth loss	10.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	18	7.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	13.7%
Under 18	16.4%
18–64 years	12.9%
65 and over	10.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	73.8%
Public insurance	25.6%
Uninsured under 19	6.9%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	315	91.6%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	344	100.0%
Born in same state	329	95.6%
Born in different state	212	61.6%
Foreign born	15	4.4%
Naturalized citizen	0	0.0%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	133	38.7%
Polish	43	12.5%
French	16	4.7%
German	15	4.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	10	2.9%
English	8	2.3%
Arab	6	1.7%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	36.9%
Internet access	92.1%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Cylinder, IA have?

Cylinder, IA has one ZIP code: 50528. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.