Elk Horn ZIP Codes — Shelby County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Elk Horn, Iowa and it is 51531. Area code: 712.

ZIP codes

27.26

sq mi land

0.00

sq mi water

712

area code

Elk Horn, IA ZIP code map

About Elk Horn, IA

Elk Horn, Iowa, is a charming small town located within Shelby County. Known for its rich cultural heritage and welcoming community, Elk Horn boasts a variety of local events that bring residents together. This quaint city serves as a tranquil retreat for those looking to enjoy the serene landscapes of rural Iowa.

Location & geography

Elk Horn is situated in western Iowa, approximately 25 miles east of the Missouri border. The town is surrounded by other notable cities, including Harlan to the north, Atlantic to the south, and Kimballton to the west, providing easy access to nearby amenities. The total land area of Elk Horn spans 27.26 square miles with no water area, reflecting the predominantly rural terrain of this scenic region.

Community & economy

Elk Horn’s community is characterized by a strong sense of tradition and friendly neighbors who take pride in their town’s heritage. The local economy is supported by agriculture and small family-run businesses, creating a unique blend of rural and entrepreneurial spirit. Daily life in Elk Horn often involves community gatherings, annual festivals, and activities that celebrate the town's Danish heritage.

Transportation

Elk Horn is conveniently accessible via U.S. Route 34, which connects to nearby highways, facilitating travel throughout the region. The closest major airport is the Eppley Airfield in Omaha, Nebraska, located about 90 miles to the west. Local transportation options are limited, but community events often encourage shared travel and togetherness.

History

Founded in the late 1800s, Elk Horn was established primarily as a community for Danish immigrants, contributing to its rich cultural tapestry. The town's key industries evolved around agriculture, with a focus on maintaining the traditions of its founding families. Notable events, including the annual Danish Windmill Festival, celebrate this heritage and attract visitors from far and wide.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Elk Horn is that it is home to the only authentic Danish windmill in the United States, which serves as both a historical landmark and a tourist attraction. This windmill represents the town’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage and draws visitors interested in Iowa’s immigrant history.

ZIP codes for Elk Horn, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
51531	Elk Horn	Shelby	View map

Demographics & statistics

784

Population

43.3

Median age

$59,722

Median household income

$33,817

Per capita income

$143,800

Median home value

$600

Median monthly rent

74.7%

Home ownership

7.1%

Poverty rate

2.7%

Unemployment

281

Housing units

26.8%

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	199	25.4%
18 and over	585	74.6%
65 and over	220	28.1%
Median age	43.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 88.7%

Hispanic or Latino 5%

Other race 4.5%

Two or more races 1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.8%

Group	Count	%
White	732	88.7%
Hispanic or Latino	41	5%
Other race	37	4.5%
Two or more races	8	1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	7	0.8%

Household income

Under $10k 1.0%

$10k–$15k 3.2%

$15k–$25k 10.1%

$25k–$35k 4.9%

$35k–$50k 14.6%

$50k–$75k 29.9%

$75k–$100k 10.1%

$100k–$150k 14.9%

$150k–$200k 2.9%

$200k+ 8.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	1.0%
$10k–$15k	3.2%
$15k–$25k	10.1%
$25k–$35k	4.9%
$35k–$50k	14.6%
$50k–$75k	29.9%
$75k–$100k	10.1%
$100k–$150k	14.9%
$150k–$200k	2.9%
$200k+	8.4%
Median income	$59,722

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 3.0%

$50k–$100k 26.1%

$100k–$150k 23.9%

$150k–$200k 17.0%

$200k–$300k 21.7%

$300k–$500k 6.5%

$1M+ 1.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$143,800
Median rent / month	$600
Owner occupied	74.7%
Renter occupied	25.3%
Vacant	14.2%
Single-family detached	91.9%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	0.0%
Median rooms	6.5
Avg household size (owned)	2.67

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	1.9%
2000–2009	1.4%
1990–1999	2.2%
1980–1989	1.9%
1970–1979	16.7%
1960–1969	5.8%
1950–1959	7.2%
1940–1949	3.3%
1939 or earlier	59.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.6%
1 bedroom	7.8%
2 bedrooms	26.5%
3 bedrooms	36.5%
4 bedrooms	22.6%
5+ bedrooms	6.1%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.3%
1 vehicle	22.7%
2 vehicles	42.2%
3 or more	34.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	47.4%
Electricity	31.2%
Propane / LP gas	12.3%
Wood	9.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	172	55.8%
Cohabiting couple	24	7.8%
Male householder, no spouse	50	16.2%
Female householder, no spouse	62	20.1%
Households with children under 18	77	25.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	117	38.0%
Average household size	2.32

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	18.6%	13.7%
Married	60.6%	50.6%
Separated	2.5%	2.6%
Widowed	5.0%	20.9%
Divorced	13.3%	12.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.9%

Some HS, no diploma 3.0%

HS graduate 27.7%

Some college, no degree 34.1%

Associate's degree 7.5%

Bachelor's degree 16.8%

Graduate / professional 10.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.1%
Bachelor's or higher	26.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	52	29.1%
Kindergarten	9	5.0%
Elementary school	73	40.8%
High school	26	14.5%
College / grad school	19	10.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 28.2%

Manufacturing 14.5%

Transportation & utilities 12.3%

Retail trade 10.3%

Construction 8.1%

Wholesale trade 7.0%

Arts, food & hospitality 5.6%

Public administration 3.6%

Agriculture & mining 3.1%

Professional & management 2.8%

Information 2.5%

Other services 2.0%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	36.0%
Service	5.6%
Sales & office	26.8%
Natural resources & construction	9.2%
Production & transportation	22.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	75.1%
Government	14.5%
Self-employed	10.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	73.8%
Carpool	1.4%
Public transit	0.3%
Walk	12.0%
Other means	1.1%
Avg commute (minutes)	23.0

Poverty

All people 7.1%

Under 18 years 4.0%

18 and over 8.3%

Married-couple families 3.5%

Female-led households 40.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	37.0%
Retirement income	24.7%
Supplemental Security	1.0%
Cash public assistance	0.3%
Food stamps / SNAP	0.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	40.0%
High cholesterol	38.8%
Heart disease	8.9%
Stroke	3.8%
Asthma	8.6%
Arthritis	30.6%
Kidney disease	3.6%
Pulmonary disease	7.5%
Cancer	10.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.2%
No physical activity	25.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	27.9%
Fair or poor health	12.9%
Poor mental health	11.1%
Poor physical health	9.9%
No health insurance	8.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.2%
Visited dentist	72.7%
Cholesterol screening	91.8%
Teeth loss	11.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	68	11.7%

Disability	%
Any disability	7.0%
Under 18	2.0%
18–64 years	5.1%
65 and over	17.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	73.6%
Public insurance	33.5%
Uninsured under 19	2.5%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	726	92.6%
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)	778	99.2%
Born in same state	773	98.6%
Born in different state	564	71.9%
Foreign born	5	0.6%
Naturalized citizen	6	0.8%
Not a US citizen	3	50.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	273	34.8%
Italian	80	10.2%
French	49	6.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	18	2.3%
Polish	13	1.7%
Arab	11	1.4%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	39.3%
Internet access	95.1%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Elk Horn, IA have?

Elk Horn, IA has one ZIP code: 51531. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.