Dows ZIP Codes — Wright County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Dows, Iowa and it is 50071. Area code: 515.
1
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
22
Under 5
22
23
5–9
24
30
10–14
31
32
15–19
34
45
20–24
47
44
25–34
45
37
35–44
39
31
45–54
32
50
55–59
52
26
60–64
27
46
65–74
48
31
75–84
33
19
85+
19
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1818721.0%
18 and over70279.0%
65 and over19622.0%
Median age41.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 94.3%
Hispanic or Latino 2.8%
Other race 1.6%
Two or more races 1.2%
GroupCount%
White86394.3%
Hispanic or Latino262.8%
Other race151.6%
Two or more races111.2%

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 $10k3.5%
$10k–$15k3.7%
$15k–$25k5.8%
$25k–$35k8.6%
$35k–$50k21.0%
$50k–$75k9.5%
$75k–$100k14.1%
$100k–$150k17.9%
$150k–$200k12.7%
$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

MetricValue
Median home value$70,000
Median rent / month$617
Owner occupied80.7%
Renter occupied19.3%
Vacant22.2%
Single-family detached92.2%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes1.3%
Median rooms6.9
Avg household size (owned)2.76

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.4%
2010–20190.9%
2000–20095.4%
1990–19991.8%
1980–19893.1%
1970–197913.5%
1960–19693.8%
1950–19592.7%
1940–19494.5%
1939 or earlier63.9%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.4%
1 bedroom4.7%
2 bedrooms24.0%
3 bedrooms50.2%
4 bedrooms13.0%
5+ bedrooms7.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle2.3%
1 vehicle24.5%
2 vehicles39.5%
3 or more33.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas8.1%
Electricity20.5%
Propane / LP gas54.5%
Fuel oil9.5%
No fuel used2.3%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family17550.4%
Cohabiting couple205.8%
Male householder, no spouse6318.2%
Female householder, no spouse8925.6%
Households with children under 187020.2%
Households with seniors (65+)12836.9%
Average household size2.56

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married36.1%27.9%
Married48.6%53.1%
Separated0.0%0.0%
Widowed4.3%10.0%
Divorced10.9%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 higher94.1%
Bachelor's or higher21.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool158.0%
Kindergarten189.6%
Elementary school7138.0%
High school5227.8%
College / grad school3116.6%

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 & arts35.8%
Service4.1%
Sales & office20.1%
Natural resources & construction13.7%
Production & transportation26.3%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector77.5%
Government7.5%
Self-employed15.0%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone84.6%
Carpool2.6%
Public transit1.1%
Walk2.6%
Other means0.6%
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 Security34.3%
Retirement income26.5%
Supplemental Security2.6%
Cash public assistance4.6%
Food stamps / SNAP8.6%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure39.2%
High cholesterol36.9%
Heart disease8.8%
Stroke3.9%
Asthma9.3%
Arthritis30.1%
Kidney disease3.7%
Pulmonary disease8.3%
Cancer8.9%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking17.8%
No physical activity27.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep29.9%
Fair or poor health15.3%
Poor mental health12.4%
Poor physical health11.1%
No health insurance10.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)77.1%
Visited dentist65.6%
Cholesterol screening90.7%
Teeth loss13.7%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans608.5%
Disability%
Any disability11.4%
Under 180.0%
18–64 years10.9%
65 and over23.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance75.0%
Public insurance42.6%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only84595.1%
Spanish30.4%
Other Indo-European30.4%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)88699.7%
Born in same state87298.1%
Born in different state74884.1%
Foreign born141.6%
Naturalized citizen30.3%
Not a US citizen00.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
French687.6%
Polish596.6%
Arab384.3%
AncestryCount%
Italian374.2%
English212.4%
Dutch50.6%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access39.0%
Internet access94.8%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Dows, IA have?
Dows, IA has one ZIP code: 50071. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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