Defiance ZIP Codes — Shelby County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Defiance, Iowa and it is 51527. Area code: 712.
1
ZIP codes
42.26
sq mi land
0.01
sq mi water
712
area code
Defiance, IA ZIP code map

About Defiance, IA

Defiance, Iowa, is a small, charming city located in Shelby County. Known for its friendly community atmosphere, Defiance is a great place for those looking to experience the tranquility of rural Iowa. With its rich agricultural roots and welcoming residents, the city offers a genuine Midwestern experience.

Location & geography

Defiance is located in west-central Iowa, approximately 12 miles northeast of Harlan, the Shelby County seat. The city is bordered by picturesque landscapes and provides easy access to nearby communities, including Dunlap, which lies about 18 miles to the northwest, and Earling, situated around 10 miles south. The total land area of Defiance is 42.26 square miles, with a small water area of 0.01 square miles.

Community & economy

The character of Defiance is defined by its strong sense of community, where residents often gather for local events and support one another in daily life. The local industries primarily revolve around agriculture, with numerous farms and related businesses contributing to the economy. Daily life in Defiance is relaxed and offers a glimpse into a tight-knit community where traditions are cherished and neighbors know each other.

Transportation

Transportation in Defiance is mainly facilitated by local roads and highways, with U.S. Route 30 providing accessible routes to larger cities. The nearest major airport is approximately 40 miles away in Omaha, Nebraska, though residents typically rely on regional and county services for public transit needs. Local bus services may be limited, emphasizing the importance of personal vehicles for commuting.

History

Defiance was founded in the late 19th century, developing primarily as an agricultural hub in Shelby County. Historically, the city has experienced growth through farming and local businesses that have supported the surrounding rural community. Notable events in the city's history include the establishment of annual celebrations that highlight its agricultural roots.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Defiance is that it has a very close community spirit, often organizing local festivals that celebrate its heritage and culture. Despite its small size, it has a reputation for being a welcoming place for visitors and newcomers alike.

ZIP codes for Defiance, IA (1)
ZIP code City County Map
51527 Defiance Shelby View map

Demographics & statistics

395
Population
59.1
Median age
$71,250
Median household income
$40,496
Per capita income
$134,200
Median home value
$671
Median monthly rent
90.5%
Home ownership
6.6%
Poverty rate
0.9%
Unemployment
157
Housing units
15.0%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
7
Under 5
7
12
5–9
11
11
10–14
9
9
15–19
8
23
25–34
21
23
35–44
21
9
45–54
8
13
55–59
11
37
60–64
32
36
65–74
32
26
75–84
24
3
85+
2
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 187418.7%
18 and over32181.3%
65 and over12331.1%
Median age59.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 95.3%
Hispanic or Latino 2%
Other race 2%
Two or more races 0.7%
GroupCount%
White38495.3%
Hispanic or Latino82%
Other race82%
Two or more races30.7%

Household income

Under $10k 1.2%
$10k–$15k 4.1%
$15k–$25k 1.8%
$25k–$35k 5.3%
$35k–$50k 12.4%
$50k–$75k 25.4%
$75k–$100k 18.9%
$100k–$150k 22.5%
$200k+ 8.3%
Range% of households
Under $10k1.2%
$10k–$15k4.1%
$15k–$25k1.8%
$25k–$35k5.3%
$35k–$50k12.4%
$50k–$75k25.4%
$75k–$100k18.9%
$100k–$150k22.5%
$200k+8.3%
Median income$71,250

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 9.2%
$50k–$100k 17.0%
$100k–$150k 33.3%
$150k–$200k 5.2%
$200k–$300k 3.9%
$300k–$500k 11.1%
$500k–$1M 4.6%
$1M+ 15.7%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$134,200
Median rent / month$671
Owner occupied90.5%
Renter occupied9.5%
Vacant2.3%
Single-family detached97.7%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes0.6%
Median rooms6.4
Avg household size (owned)2.33

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20194.0%
2000–20094.0%
1990–19990.6%
1980–19899.8%
1970–197910.4%
1960–19698.7%
1950–195925.4%
1940–19492.3%
1939 or earlier34.7%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)1.2%
1 bedroom2.3%
2 bedrooms31.8%
3 bedrooms37.6%
4 bedrooms25.4%
5+ bedrooms1.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle0.0%
1 vehicle16.0%
2 vehicles39.1%
3 or more45.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas33.1%
Electricity47.3%
Propane / LP gas17.8%
Wood1.8%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family9757.4%
Cohabiting couple2514.8%
Male householder, no spouse2313.6%
Female householder, no spouse2414.2%
Households with children under 183621.3%
Households with seniors (65+)7242.6%
Average household size2.34

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married10.5%13.9%
Married57.6%59.6%
Separated0.0%1.8%
Widowed2.3%5.4%
Divorced29.7%19.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.9%
Some HS, no diploma 2.8%
HS graduate 53.9%
Some college, no degree 15.6%
Associate's degree 11.8%
Bachelor's degree 6.5%
Graduate / professional 8.4%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher96.3%
Bachelor's or higher15.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool1120.8%
Kindergarten00.0%
Elementary school2750.9%
High school1426.4%
College / grad school11.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 27.8%
Finance & real estate 12.6%
Agriculture & mining 9.9%
Wholesale trade 9.4%
Education & healthcare 9.0%
Transportation & utilities 8.5%
Construction 7.2%
Professional & management 6.7%
Retail trade 3.6%
Arts, food & hospitality 2.7%
Other services 1.8%
Information 0.9%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts39.0%
Service3.6%
Sales & office18.4%
Natural resources & construction18.4%
Production & transportation20.6%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector78.9%
Government10.8%
Self-employed10.3%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone84.0%
Carpool2.9%
Public transit0.0%
Walk3.4%
Other means0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)19.4

Poverty

All people 6.6%
Under 18 years 13.5%
18 and over 5.0%
Married-couple families 5.2%
Female-led households 57.1%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security43.2%
Retirement income17.8%
Supplemental Security1.8%
Cash public assistance0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP5.3%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure35.0%
High cholesterol35.2%
Heart disease6.5%
Stroke2.9%
Asthma9.0%
Arthritis25.4%
Kidney disease2.7%
Pulmonary disease6.7%
Cancer7.1%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking22.0%
No physical activity23.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep30.5%
Fair or poor health12.0%
Poor mental health12.5%
Poor physical health9.6%
No health insurance8.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)74.9%
Visited dentist71.5%
Cholesterol screening90.8%
Teeth loss11.5%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans195.9%
Disability%
Any disability7.1%
Under 182.7%
18–64 years4.0%
65 and over14.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance65.6%
Public insurance57.7%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only38196.5%
Spanish51.3%
Other Indo-European51.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)39098.7%
Born in same state39098.7%
Born in different state29073.4%
Foreign born00.0%
Naturalized citizen51.3%
Not a US citizen00.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Italian6616.7%
Arab194.8%
Dutch153.8%
French102.5%
AncestryCount%
Polish20.5%
Norwegian20.5%
English10.3%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access42.8%
Internet access94.7%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Defiance, IA have?
Defiance, IA has one ZIP code: 51527. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
Need the complete Iowa ZIP code database? Download all IA ZIP codes — Excel, CSV, or Access. Includes lat/lng, county FIPS & timezone.
Download database →