Eldon ZIP Code List — Wapello County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Eldon, Iowa and it is 52554. Area code: 641.

ZIP codes

37.87

sq mi land

0.57

sq mi water

641

area code

Eldon, IA ZIP code map

About Eldon, IA

Eldon is a small city located in Wapello County, Iowa. Known for its rich history and quaint atmosphere, Eldon provides a unique glimpse into rural American life. The city's charm and welcoming community make it an inviting place for visitors and residents alike.

Location & geography

Eldon is situated in southeastern Iowa, approximately 10 miles northwest of the larger city of Ottumwa. It shares its landscape with the picturesque surroundings of Wapello County, characterized by rolling hills and open spaces, with a total land area of 37.87 square miles and a water area of 0.57 square miles. Nearby towns include Kirkville, 4 miles to the south, and Agency, 7 miles to the east.

Community & economy

The character of Eldon is defined by its tight-knit community and a slower pace of life that appeals to many. The city's economy is anchored in agriculture and some small-scale manufacturing, providing jobs for local residents. Daily life in Eldon often revolves around community events and support for local businesses, fostering a strong sense of belonging among its inhabitants.

Transportation

Eldon is accessible via several state highways, including Highway 63, which connects it to nearby cities and major roadways. The nearest regional airport is Ottumwa Regional Airport, located about 10 miles away, facilitating air travel options for residents and visitors. Public transportation options may be limited, so personal vehicles are the primary mode of getting around.

History

Eldon was established in the 19th century and quickly grew as a hub for agriculture and local trade. The city became well-known for its connection to American artist Grant Wood, who painted the iconic scene in 'American Gothic,' symbolizing the heartland of Iowa. Key events in Eldon's past include the development of local industries and the efforts of citizens to preserve their cultural heritage.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Eldon is that it served as the inspiration for Grant Wood's famous painting 'American Gothic,' which has become a defining image of American art. The city also hosts the annual Eldon Town and Country Days, celebrating its history and community spirit.

ZIP codes for Eldon, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
52554	Eldon	Wapello	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,057

Population

55.3

Median age

$52,407

Median household income

$30,440

Per capita income

$84,700

Median home value

Median monthly rent

87.8%

Home ownership

16.3%

Poverty rate

6.1%

Unemployment

522

Housing units

7.4%

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

101

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	176	16.7%
18 and over	881	83.3%
65 and over	352	33.3%
Median age	55.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 93.5%

Two or more races 3.3%

Hispanic or Latino 1.8%

Asian 0.8%

Other race 0.7%

Group	Count	%
White	1,006	93.5%
Two or more races	35	3.3%
Hispanic or Latino	19	1.8%
Asian	9	0.8%
Other race	7	0.7%

Household income

Under $10k 0.6%

$10k–$15k 16.3%

$15k–$25k 6.9%

$25k–$35k 9.2%

$35k–$50k 12.2%

$50k–$75k 23.4%

$75k–$100k 14.6%

$100k–$150k 15.5%

$150k–$200k 0.9%

$200k+ 0.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	0.6%
$10k–$15k	16.3%
$15k–$25k	6.9%
$25k–$35k	9.2%
$35k–$50k	12.2%
$50k–$75k	23.4%
$75k–$100k	14.6%
$100k–$150k	15.5%
$150k–$200k	0.9%
$200k+	0.4%
Median income	$52,407

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 29.9%

$50k–$100k 29.0%

$100k–$150k 15.4%

$150k–$200k 1.9%

$200k–$300k 12.8%

$300k–$500k 7.2%

$500k–$1M 3.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$84,700
Median rent / month	$0
Owner occupied	87.8%
Renter occupied	12.2%
Vacant	9.0%
Single-family detached	83.0%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	7.0%
Median rooms	5.7
Avg household size (owned)	2.07

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	7.5%
2000–2009	0.9%
1990–1999	11.9%
1980–1989	6.6%
1970–1979	10.9%
1960–1969	4.3%
1950–1959	3.7%
1940–1949	2.0%
1939 or earlier	52.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.7%
1 bedroom	12.9%
2 bedrooms	27.4%
3 bedrooms	32.4%
4 bedrooms	14.5%
5+ bedrooms	9.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	8.2%
1 vehicle	29.0%
2 vehicles	24.9%
3 or more	37.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	26.4%
Electricity	19.5%
Propane / LP gas	41.9%
Fuel oil	0.7%
Wood	10.9%
No fuel used	0.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	229	42.9%
Cohabiting couple	27	5.1%
Male householder, no spouse	167	31.3%
Female householder, no spouse	111	20.8%
Households with children under 18	96	18.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	232	43.4%
Average household size	1.98

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	17.1%	19.5%
Married	49.6%	54.8%
Separated	0.4%	2.3%
Widowed	8.1%	10.9%
Divorced	24.8%	12.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.5%

Some HS, no diploma 9.2%

HS graduate 59.9%

Some college, no degree 12.9%

Associate's degree 9.0%

Bachelor's degree 7.2%

Graduate / professional 0.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	89.3%
Bachelor's or higher	7.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	15	8.9%
Kindergarten	5	3.0%
Elementary school	88	52.4%
High school	52	31.0%
College / grad school	8	4.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 21.5%

Agriculture & mining 17.9%

Transportation & utilities 12.6%

Manufacturing 12.2%

Construction 10.8%

Retail trade 6.7%

Professional & management 5.1%

Finance & real estate 4.1%

Wholesale trade 3.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 2.2%

Other services 2.2%

Public administration 1.2%

Information 0.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	25.4%
Service	12.6%
Sales & office	12.4%
Natural resources & construction	15.2%
Production & transportation	34.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	78.7%
Government	12.8%
Self-employed	8.5%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	79.0%
Carpool	9.5%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.3%
Other means	1.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	29.5

Poverty

All people 16.3%

Under 18 years 28.4%

18 and over 13.8%

Married-couple families 0.4%

Female-led households 40.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	46.4%
Retirement income	22.8%
Supplemental Security	5.4%
Cash public assistance	4.9%
Food stamps / SNAP	15.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	32.8%
High cholesterol	32.7%
Heart disease	7.1%
Stroke	3.2%
Asthma	9.2%
Arthritis	26.0%
Kidney disease	3.0%
Pulmonary disease	7.3%
Cancer	7.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	21.1%
No physical activity	24.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.0%
Fair or poor health	13.7%
Poor mental health	13.5%
Poor physical health	10.2%
No health insurance	9.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)	74.2%
Visited dentist	66.7%
Cholesterol screening	88.7%
Teeth loss	13.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	55	6.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	20.1%
Under 18	5.7%
18–64 years	21.9%
65 and over	24.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	66.0%
Public insurance	55.3%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,027	97.2%
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)	1,048	99.1%
Born in same state	1,039	98.3%
Born in different state	803	76.0%
Foreign born	9	0.9%
Naturalized citizen	9	0.9%
Not a US citizen	3	33.3%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	165	15.6%
French	149	14.1%
Arab	107	10.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	43	4.1%
Polish	13	1.2%
German	9	0.9%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	50.5%
Internet access	72.5%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Eldon, IA?

Eldon, IA has one ZIP code: 52554.

What is the main ZIP code for Eldon, IA?

The primary ZIP code for Eldon, IA is 52554. The city uses area code 641 for phone service.

What county is Eldon, IA in?

Eldon is located in Wapello County, Iowa.

How many ZIP codes are in Eldon, IA?

Eldon, IA has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code should I use when mailing a letter to a business located in downtown Eldon?

Downtown Eldon businesses use ZIP code 52554. This is the only ZIP code serving Eldon and covers the entire city.

If I'm shipping a package to someone in Eldon near the Eldon Opera House, what ZIP code should I use?

The Eldon Opera House and the surrounding downtown area both use ZIP code 52554, which serves all of Eldon in Wapello County.