Dows ZIP Code List — Wright County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Dows, Iowa and it is 50071. Area code: 515.

ZIP codes

111.28

sq mi land

0.12

sq mi water

515

area code

Dows, IA ZIP code map

About Dows, IA

Dows is a charming city located in Wright County, Iowa. Known for its welcoming community and rural charm, Dows embodies the spirit of small-town America. The city offers a peaceful environment while providing essential services to its residents.

Location & geography

Dows is situated in central Iowa and boasts a land area of 111.28 square miles, with a water area of 0.12 square miles. The city is approximately 16 miles northeast of Clarion, 26 miles southwest of Mason City, and 28 miles south of Fort Dodge. The terrain surrounding Dows consists mainly of flat farmland, with occasional small bodies of water adding to the scenic landscape.

Community & economy

The character of Dows is defined by its strong sense of community and involvement among residents. Agriculture plays a key role in the local economy, with many inhabitants engaged in farming and related industries. Daily life in Dows reflects a tight-knit community culture, where local events and gatherings foster connections among neighbors.

Transportation

Dows is accessible via state highways that connect it to nearby towns and cities, enhancing travel for residents and visitors alike. The nearest major airport is Fort Dodge Regional Airport, located about 30 miles away, providing additional travel options. Local transit options are limited, but community transportation is often available for essential needs.

History

Dows was founded in the late 19th century and is named after an early loco-motive engineer. The city has historically been centered around agriculture, with farming being its primary industry and contributing to its local economy. Over the years, Dows has seen various community initiatives and events that highlight its rich history and commitment to sustainability.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Dows is that despite its small size, it hosts several community events throughout the year that bring together residents and visitors. Additionally, the city is known for its picturesque rural landscapes, which attract visitors looking for a peaceful getaway.

ZIP codes for Dows, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
50071	Dows	Wright	View map

Demographics & statistics

889

Population

41.8

Median age

$66,250

Median household income

$36,393

Per capita income

$70,000

Median home value

$617

Median monthly rent

80.7%

Home ownership

10.2%

Poverty rate

4.5%

Unemployment

379

Housing units

21.8%

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	187	21.0%
18 and over	702	79.0%
65 and over	196	22.0%
Median age	41.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 94.3%

Hispanic or Latino 2.8%

Other race 1.6%

Two or more races 1.2%

Group	Count	%
White	863	94.3%
Hispanic or Latino	26	2.8%
Other race	15	1.6%
Two or more races	11	1.2%

Household income

Under $10k 3.5%

$10k–$15k 3.7%

$15k–$25k 5.8%

$25k–$35k 8.6%

$35k–$50k 21.0%

$50k–$75k 9.5%

$75k–$100k 14.1%

$100k–$150k 17.9%

$150k–$200k 12.7%

$200k+ 3.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.5%
$10k–$15k	3.7%
$15k–$25k	5.8%
$25k–$35k	8.6%
$35k–$50k	21.0%
$50k–$75k	9.5%
$75k–$100k	14.1%
$100k–$150k	17.9%
$150k–$200k	12.7%
$200k+	3.2%
Median income	$66,250

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 38.9%

$50k–$100k 30.7%

$100k–$150k 13.2%

$150k–$200k 3.2%

$200k–$300k 11.1%

$300k–$500k 2.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$70,000
Median rent / month	$617
Owner occupied	80.7%
Renter occupied	19.3%
Vacant	22.2%
Single-family detached	92.2%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	1.3%
Median rooms	6.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.76

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.4%
2010–2019	0.9%
2000–2009	5.4%
1990–1999	1.8%
1980–1989	3.1%
1970–1979	13.5%
1960–1969	3.8%
1950–1959	2.7%
1940–1949	4.5%
1939 or earlier	63.9%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.4%
1 bedroom	4.7%
2 bedrooms	24.0%
3 bedrooms	50.2%
4 bedrooms	13.0%
5+ bedrooms	7.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.3%
1 vehicle	24.5%
2 vehicles	39.5%
3 or more	33.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	8.1%
Electricity	20.5%
Propane / LP gas	54.5%
Fuel oil	9.5%
No fuel used	2.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	175	50.4%
Cohabiting couple	20	5.8%
Male householder, no spouse	63	18.2%
Female householder, no spouse	89	25.6%
Households with children under 18	70	20.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	128	36.9%
Average household size	2.56

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	36.1%	27.9%
Married	48.6%	53.1%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	4.3%	10.0%
Divorced	10.9%	8.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.7%

Some HS, no diploma 5.2%

HS graduate 32.8%

Some college, no degree 28.7%

Associate's degree 10.9%

Bachelor's degree 18.7%

Graduate / professional 3.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	94.1%
Bachelor's or higher	21.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	15	8.0%
Kindergarten	18	9.6%
Elementary school	71	38.0%
High school	52	27.8%
College / grad school	31	16.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 23.3%

Retail trade 21.2%

Agriculture & mining 18.4%

Education & healthcare 10.3%

Construction 5.8%

Wholesale trade 5.4%

Professional & management 4.7%

Transportation & utilities 3.6%

Public administration 2.8%

Finance & real estate 2.1%

Other services 1.3%

Information 1.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	35.8%
Service	4.1%
Sales & office	20.1%
Natural resources & construction	13.7%
Production & transportation	26.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	77.5%
Government	7.5%
Self-employed	15.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	84.6%
Carpool	2.6%
Public transit	1.1%
Walk	2.6%
Other means	0.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	27.2

Poverty

All people 10.2%

Under 18 years 25.7%

18 and over 6.1%

Married-couple families 1.7%

Female-led households 15.6%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	34.3%
Retirement income	26.5%
Supplemental Security	2.6%
Cash public assistance	4.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	8.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	39.2%
High cholesterol	36.9%
Heart disease	8.8%
Stroke	3.9%
Asthma	9.3%
Arthritis	30.1%
Kidney disease	3.7%
Pulmonary disease	8.3%
Cancer	8.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.8%
No physical activity	27.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.9%
Fair or poor health	15.3%
Poor mental health	12.4%
Poor physical health	11.1%
No health insurance	10.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.1%
Visited dentist	65.6%
Cholesterol screening	90.7%
Teeth loss	13.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	60	8.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	11.4%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	10.9%
65 and over	23.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	75.0%
Public insurance	42.6%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	845	95.1%
Spanish	3	0.4%
Other Indo-European	3	0.4%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	886	99.7%
Born in same state	872	98.1%
Born in different state	748	84.1%
Foreign born	14	1.6%
Naturalized citizen	3	0.3%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	68	7.6%
Polish	59	6.6%
Arab	38	4.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	37	4.2%
English	21	2.4%
Dutch	5	0.6%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	39.0%
Internet access	94.8%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Dows, IA?

Dows, IA has one ZIP code: 50071.

What is the main ZIP code for Dows, IA?

The primary ZIP code for Dows, IA is 50071. The city uses area code 515 for phone service.

What county is Dows, IA in?

Dows is located in Wright County, Iowa.

How many ZIP codes are in Dows, IA?

Dows, IA has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code covers downtown Dows and the central business district in Wright County?

Downtown Dows and the central business district are located in ZIP code 50071, which serves as the primary ZIP code for this small Wright County community.

If I'm sending mail to a residential address in Dows, Iowa, what ZIP code should I use?

All residential addresses in Dows, Iowa use the ZIP code 50071, as it is the only ZIP code serving this Wright County city.