Elgin ZIP Codes — Fayette County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Elgin, Iowa and it is 52141. Area code: 563.

ZIP codes

83.49

sq mi land

0.03

sq mi water

563

area code

Elgin, IA ZIP code map

About Elgin, IA

Elgin, Iowa, is a small yet charming city located in Fayette County. Known for its picturesque landscapes and tight-knit community, Elgin is a place where residents take pride in their town's heritage. The city offers a mix of rural charm and accessibility to larger urban areas, making it an attractive spot for both locals and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Elgin is situated in the northeastern part of Iowa, approximately 20 miles southeast of the city of Decorah and 15 miles northwest of Waverly. The city spans a total land area of 83.49 square miles and contains a minimal water area of 0.03 square miles. The surrounding terrain is characterized by rolling hills and lush farmland, providing a beautiful backdrop to the community.

Community & economy

The character of Elgin is defined by its friendly residents and strong community spirit. It has a diverse economy that includes agriculture, manufacturing, and small businesses that serve the local population. Daily life in Elgin revolves around community events, local schools, and outdoor recreational opportunities, fostering a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Transportation

Elgin is accessible via State Highway 56, which connects the city to other regional roadways for convenient travel. The nearest airport with scheduled commercial flights is the Decorah Municipal Airport, located about 20 miles away. Local transit options may be limited, making personal vehicles the primary mode of transportation.

History

Elgin was founded in the mid-19th century and has a thriving history rooted in agriculture and small-scale industry. Over the years, the city has maintained its charm while adapting to the changes in Iowa's economic landscape. Notable events, including various community festivals, celebrate the town's heritage and bring residents together.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Elgin is that it is home to the historic Elgin Opera House, a testament to the town's rich cultural history. Additionally, Elgin is known for its proximity to the scenic Valley of the Upper Iowa River, which is a popular area for outdoor activities.

ZIP codes for Elgin, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
52141	Elgin	Fayette	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,190

Population

51.1

Median age

$62,333

Median household income

$32,613

Per capita income

$91,500

Median home value

$646

Median monthly rent

88.9%

Home ownership

5.1%

Poverty rate

1.3%

Unemployment

592

Housing units

19.4%

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

147

65–74

156

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	249	20.9%
18 and over	941	79.1%
65 and over	390	32.8%
Median age	51.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 98.2%

Two or more races 0.8%

Hispanic or Latino 0.5%

Black or African American 0.4%

Group	Count	%
White	1,175	98.2%
Two or more races	10	0.8%
Hispanic or Latino	6	0.5%
Black or African American	5	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 2.5%

$10k–$15k 1.9%

$15k–$25k 9.7%

$25k–$35k 4.9%

$35k–$50k 12.8%

$50k–$75k 29.4%

$75k–$100k 19.5%

$100k–$150k 11.1%

$150k–$200k 4.7%

$200k+ 3.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.5%
$10k–$15k	1.9%
$15k–$25k	9.7%
$25k–$35k	4.9%
$35k–$50k	12.8%
$50k–$75k	29.4%
$75k–$100k	19.5%
$100k–$150k	11.1%
$150k–$200k	4.7%
$200k+	3.5%
Median income	$62,333

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 10.9%

$50k–$100k 47.0%

$100k–$150k 14.4%

$150k–$200k 15.1%

$200k–$300k 5.7%

$300k–$500k 5.5%

$500k–$1M 1.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$91,500
Median rent / month	$646
Owner occupied	88.9%
Renter occupied	11.1%
Vacant	20.8%
Single-family detached	86.4%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	9.7%
Median rooms	6.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.37

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	6.2%
2000–2009	13.9%
1990–1999	3.4%
1980–1989	6.2%
1970–1979	9.2%
1960–1969	8.6%
1950–1959	5.4%
1940–1949	4.6%
1939 or earlier	42.5%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	5.9%
2 bedrooms	26.5%
3 bedrooms	39.4%
4 bedrooms	25.0%
5+ bedrooms	3.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.1%
1 vehicle	24.3%
2 vehicles	45.1%
3 or more	28.4%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	3.3%
Electricity	15.6%
Propane / LP gas	62.8%
Fuel oil	7.0%
Wood	8.2%
No fuel used	1.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	303	58.9%
Cohabiting couple	16	3.1%
Male householder, no spouse	64	12.5%
Female householder, no spouse	131	25.5%
Households with children under 18	116	22.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	258	50.2%
Average household size	2.32

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	19.0%	16.3%
Married	69.5%	60.3%
Separated	0.0%	2.4%
Widowed	0.4%	11.3%
Divorced	11.0%	9.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.2%

Some HS, no diploma 1.9%

HS graduate 38.2%

Some college, no degree 18.3%

Associate's degree 21.9%

Bachelor's degree 16.1%

Graduate / professional 3.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	97.8%
Bachelor's or higher	19.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	14	6.9%
Kindergarten	19	9.4%
Elementary school	107	53.0%
High school	45	22.3%
College / grad school	17	8.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.3%

Manufacturing 15.8%

Agriculture & mining 15.6%

Professional & management 6.7%

Arts, food & hospitality 6.5%

Construction 6.3%

Transportation & utilities 5.4%

Wholesale trade 5.0%

Finance & real estate 4.8%

Retail trade 4.3%

Public administration 2.8%

Other services 2.2%

Information 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	31.5%
Service	13.9%
Sales & office	12.4%
Natural resources & construction	14.7%
Production & transportation	27.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	77.2%
Government	13.0%
Self-employed	9.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	78.6%
Carpool	4.7%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	2.1%
Other means	1.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	22.8

Poverty

All people 5.1%

Under 18 years 2.3%

18 and over 5.7%

Married-couple families 1.7%

Female-led households 8.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	48.6%
Retirement income	36.6%
Supplemental Security	4.9%
Cash public assistance	0.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	6.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.2%
High cholesterol	36.8%
Heart disease	7.6%
Stroke	3.4%
Asthma	9.0%
Arthritis	26.7%
Kidney disease	3.1%
Pulmonary disease	7.3%
Cancer	8.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	20.5%
No physical activity	24.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	28.6%
Fair or poor health	13.3%
Poor mental health	12.5%
Poor physical health	10.0%
No health insurance	9.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	74.3%
Visited dentist	66.1%
Cholesterol screening	89.5%
Teeth loss	12.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	89	9.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.9%
Under 18	7.2%
18–64 years	14.9%
65 and over	22.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	64.0%
Public insurance	58.4%
Uninsured under 19	9.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,139	95.7%
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)	1,190	100.0%
Born in same state	1,185	99.6%
Born in different state	972	81.7%
Foreign born	5	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	0	0.0%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	255	21.4%
French	189	15.9%
Italian	120	10.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	49	4.1%
English	46	3.9%
Dutch	2	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	43.2%
Internet access	92.0%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Elgin, IA have?

Elgin, IA has one ZIP code: 52141. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.