Earlham ZIP Codes — Madison County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Earlham, Iowa and it is 50072. Area code: 515.

ZIP codes

89.72

sq mi land

0.17

sq mi water

515

area code

Earlham, IA ZIP code map

About Earlham, IA

Earlham is a small but charming city located in Iowa, known for its friendly community and inviting atmosphere. Situated in Madison County, the city provides a peaceful countryside lifestyle while being conveniently close to larger urban centers. With its rich history and strong community values, Earlham represents the quintessential small-town American experience.

Location & geography

Earlham is located in the southern part of Iowa, nestled within Madison County and surrounded by beautiful landscapes. The city is approximately 15 miles southwest of Des Moines, making it accessible for those commuting to the capital for work or leisure. Earlham encompasses a land area of 89.72 square miles, with a small water area of 0.17 square miles, featuring rolling terrain and lush greenery.

Community & economy

Earlham is characterized by its tight-knit community where neighbors know each other and gather for various local events. The city's economy largely revolves around agriculture, with many residents involved in farming and related industries. Daily life in Earlham includes community activities, local sports events, and outdoor recreation, reflecting the values and interests of its residents.

Transportation

Earlham is accessible via several major highways, including Interstate 80, which connects the city to surrounding areas. The nearest commercial airport is the Des Moines International Airport, located about 25 miles away, providing convenient air travel options. Local transit services may be limited, but the city’s layout facilitates easy navigation by car.

History

Earlham was founded in the mid-19th century and has since developed a rich historical heritage. Initially an agricultural hub, it has seen various industries grow, contributing to its economic development over the years. Notable events in Earlham's history include the establishment of local schools and parks that foster community engagement.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Earlham is that it boasts a unique combination of rural charm and accessibility to urban conveniences, thanks to its proximity to Des Moines. The city is also home to the Earlham Public Library, a cherished community resource that promotes literacy and lifelong learning.

ZIP codes for Earlham, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
50072	Earlham	Madison	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,892

Population

44.8

Median age

$105,268

Median household income

$41,719

Per capita income

$285,100

Median home value

$907

Median monthly rent

84.1%

Home ownership

1.6%

Poverty rate

2.5%

Unemployment

986

Housing units

30.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

144

10–14

137

123

15–19

118

20–24

110

25–34

104

149

35–44

143

236

45–54

226

111

55–59

105

151

60–64

145

189

65–74

180

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	680	23.5%
18 and over	2,212	76.5%
65 and over	459	15.9%
Median age	44.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 92.7%

Two or more races 4.5%

Black or African American 1.3%

Hispanic or Latino 0.7%

Other race 0.4%

Asian 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	2,701	92.7%
Two or more races	131	4.5%
Black or African American	37	1.3%
Hispanic or Latino	21	0.7%
Other race	13	0.4%
Asian	10	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 1.2%

$15k–$25k 5.5%

$25k–$35k 2.9%

$35k–$50k 8.5%

$50k–$75k 16.7%

$75k–$100k 12.3%

$100k–$150k 26.4%

$150k–$200k 14.1%

$200k+ 12.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	1.2%
$15k–$25k	5.5%
$25k–$35k	2.9%
$35k–$50k	8.5%
$50k–$75k	16.7%
$75k–$100k	12.3%
$100k–$150k	26.4%
$150k–$200k	14.1%
$200k+	12.3%
Median income	$105,268

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.2%

$50k–$100k 2.7%

$100k–$150k 8.5%

$150k–$200k 14.5%

$200k–$300k 28.3%

$300k–$500k 33.0%

$500k–$1M 8.7%

$1M+ 2.1%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$285,100
Median rent / month	$907
Owner occupied	84.1%
Renter occupied	15.9%
Vacant	7.4%
Single-family detached	91.7%
Large apartment buildings	0.2%
Mobile homes	1.7%
Median rooms	7.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.80

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.3%
2010–2019	10.9%
2000–2009	19.7%
1990–1999	10.0%
1980–1989	6.0%
1970–1979	11.9%
1960–1969	4.0%
1950–1959	1.9%
1940–1949	1.7%
1939 or earlier	33.5%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.3%
1 bedroom	3.5%
2 bedrooms	15.4%
3 bedrooms	37.3%
4 bedrooms	32.6%
5+ bedrooms	11.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	1.8%
1 vehicle	14.7%
2 vehicles	28.8%
3 or more	54.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	34.6%
Electricity	28.6%
Propane / LP gas	32.5%
Fuel oil	0.5%
Wood	1.7%
No fuel used	2.0%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	745	69.6%
Cohabiting couple	29	2.7%
Male householder, no spouse	115	10.7%
Female householder, no spouse	182	17.0%
Households with children under 18	368	34.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	309	28.9%
Average household size	2.70

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	27.2%	16.1%
Married	61.6%	69.8%
Separated	1.4%	1.6%
Widowed	2.2%	2.8%
Divorced	7.5%	9.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.7%

Some HS, no diploma 2.5%

HS graduate 24.8%

Some college, no degree 24.7%

Associate's degree 16.4%

Bachelor's degree 23.6%

Graduate / professional 7.4%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.8%
Bachelor's or higher	30.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	68	9.0%
Kindergarten	28	3.7%
Elementary school	366	48.7%
High school	166	22.1%
College / grad school	124	16.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 19.6%

Finance & real estate 13.9%

Retail trade 13.7%

Professional & management 12.8%

Construction 10.7%

Transportation & utilities 7.1%

Manufacturing 6.5%

Agriculture & mining 3.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 3.6%

Other services 2.6%

Public administration 2.6%

Wholesale trade 2.2%

Information 0.9%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	44.2%
Service	14.6%
Sales & office	19.2%
Natural resources & construction	11.6%
Production & transportation	10.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	82.1%
Government	10.8%
Self-employed	7.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	75.6%
Carpool	6.1%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.5%
Other means	0.9%
Avg commute (minutes)	26.8

Poverty

All people 1.6%

Under 18 years 1.8%

18 and over 1.5%

Married-couple families 0.0%

Female-led households 6.2%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	31.2%
Retirement income	25.9%
Supplemental Security	1.9%
Cash public assistance	1.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	3.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	29.3%
High cholesterol	32.1%
Heart disease	5.4%
Stroke	2.4%
Asthma	8.9%
Arthritis	23.0%
Kidney disease	2.4%
Pulmonary disease	5.4%
Cancer	6.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	23.3%
No physical activity	21.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	28.1%
Fair or poor health	10.0%
Poor mental health	12.8%
Poor physical health	8.2%
No health insurance	8.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	73.8%
Visited dentist	70.2%
Cholesterol screening	89.4%
Teeth loss	11.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	223	10.1%

Disability	%
Any disability	8.7%
Under 18	4.3%
18–64 years	8.3%
65 and over	16.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	85.2%
Public insurance	26.3%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,749	95.1%
Spanish	17	0.6%
Other Indo-European	10	0.4%
Asian & Pacific Islander	7	0.3%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,852	98.6%
Born in same state	2,839	98.2%
Born in different state	2,292	79.3%
Foreign born	13	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	40	1.4%
Not a US citizen	22	55.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	450	15.6%
French	353	12.2%
English	250	8.6%
Arab	111	3.8%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	89	3.1%
Dutch	89	3.1%
Norwegian	14	0.5%
Irish	9	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	37.0%
Internet access	96.2%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Earlham, IA have?

Earlham, IA has one ZIP code: 50072. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.