Elkader ZIP Codes — Clayton County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Elkader, Iowa and it is 52043. Area code: 563.

ZIP codes

96.86

sq mi land

0.04

sq mi water

563

area code

Elkader, IA ZIP code map

About Elkader, IA

Elkader, Iowa, is a charming city located in the heart of Clayton County. Known for its picturesque scenery and rich history, Elkader serves as a small but significant community in the region. The city, with its unique landmarks and friendly atmosphere, offers residents and visitors alike a glimpse into the simple pleasures of small-town life.

Location & geography

Situated in northeastern Iowa, Elkader is surrounded by beautiful rolling hills and lush farmland, making it a visually appealing destination. The city serves as a central point for nearby towns, located about 12 miles northwest of Guttenberg, 20 miles south of West Union, and just 10 miles from the scenic Turkey River. Covering a total land area of 96.86 square miles, Elkader has a minimal water area of 0.04 square miles.

Community & economy

Elkader has a vibrant community that prides itself on its strong sense of identity and welcoming spirit. The local economy is a blend of agriculture and small businesses, supporting a lifestyle that emphasizes both tradition and community engagement. Daily life in Elkader is filled with friendly interactions, community events, and a commitment to preserving the town's historic charm.

Transportation

Elkader is accessible via Iowa State Highway 13, which runs north-south through the area and connects residents to neighboring cities. For air travel, the nearest airport is the Dubuque Regional Airport, approximately 40 miles away, while public transit options in the area are limited, emphasizing the need for personal transportation.

History

Founded in the mid-19th century, Elkader was named after the famous Algerian leader, Abd el-Kader, and has a rich history shaped by its agricultural roots. Over the years, it has developed into a hub for local industries, particularly in agriculture and small manufacturing. Notable events in the city’s history include the construction of historic buildings that reflect its architectural heritage and the annual celebrations that honor its cultural legacy.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Elkader is that it is home to the only 'Stone Arch Bridge' in Iowa, which adds a unique architectural feature to the landscape. Additionally, the Elkader Public Library, a historical building, serves as a crucial resource for both residents and visitors, highlighting the city’s commitment to education and community engagement.

ZIP codes for Elkader, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
52043	Elkader	Clayton	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,860

Population

48.2

Median age

$62,589

Median household income

$32,839

Per capita income

$133,600

Median home value

$790

Median monthly rent

75.3%

Home ownership

6.7%

Poverty rate

0.6%

Unemployment

778

Housing units

21.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

103

114

35–44

118

45–54

55–59

60–64

133

65–74

137

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	370	19.9%
18 and over	1,490	80.1%
65 and over	491	26.4%
Median age	48.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 93.1%

Two or more races 3.8%

Hispanic or Latino 2.2%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.5%

Black or African American 0.4%

Group	Count	%
White	1,770	93.1%
Two or more races	73	3.8%
Hispanic or Latino	41	2.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native	10	0.5%
Black or African American	7	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 3.1%

$10k–$15k 4.9%

$15k–$25k 11.2%

$25k–$35k 9.5%

$35k–$50k 12.8%

$50k–$75k 18.2%

$75k–$100k 10.5%

$100k–$150k 22.6%

$150k–$200k 6.6%

$200k+ 0.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.1%
$10k–$15k	4.9%
$15k–$25k	11.2%
$25k–$35k	9.5%
$35k–$50k	12.8%
$50k–$75k	18.2%
$75k–$100k	10.5%
$100k–$150k	22.6%
$150k–$200k	6.6%
$200k+	0.7%
Median income	$62,589

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.9%

$50k–$100k 23.8%

$100k–$150k 30.3%

$150k–$200k 17.1%

$200k–$300k 16.2%

$300k–$500k 0.9%

$500k–$1M 6.1%

$1M+ 2.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$133,600
Median rent / month	$790
Owner occupied	75.3%
Renter occupied	24.7%
Vacant	11.9%
Single-family detached	79.1%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	1.6%
Median rooms	6.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.09

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	9.0%
2000–2009	4.3%
1990–1999	4.8%
1980–1989	10.2%
1970–1979	10.8%
1960–1969	9.4%
1950–1959	7.3%
1940–1949	3.0%
1939 or earlier	41.2%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.2%
1 bedroom	7.8%
2 bedrooms	26.9%
3 bedrooms	38.8%
4 bedrooms	22.0%
5+ bedrooms	1.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	7.1%
1 vehicle	28.9%
2 vehicles	39.6%
3 or more	24.4%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	58.6%
Electricity	13.4%
Propane / LP gas	24.4%
Wood	1.9%
No fuel used	0.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	417	47.6%
Cohabiting couple	82	9.4%
Male householder, no spouse	157	17.9%
Female householder, no spouse	220	25.1%
Households with children under 18	211	24.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	362	41.3%
Average household size	2.09

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	29.2%	13.6%
Married	53.9%	58.0%
Separated	0.8%	0.4%
Widowed	3.9%	19.0%
Divorced	12.2%	9.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.5%

Some HS, no diploma 7.0%

HS graduate 37.1%

Some college, no degree 18.9%

Associate's degree 14.4%

Bachelor's degree 15.2%

Graduate / professional 5.9%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	91.5%
Bachelor's or higher	21.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	27	6.6%
Kindergarten	40	9.8%
Elementary school	196	48.2%
High school	48	11.8%
College / grad school	96	23.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 19.8%

Retail trade 14.2%

Agriculture & mining 13.1%

Construction 10.6%

Public administration 8.8%

Manufacturing 8.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 6.0%

Transportation & utilities 4.7%

Finance & real estate 4.4%

Other services 3.9%

Professional & management 2.9%

Information 1.8%

Wholesale trade 1.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	31.5%
Service	12.2%
Sales & office	27.3%
Natural resources & construction	14.9%
Production & transportation	14.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	68.3%
Government	25.8%
Self-employed	6.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	77.3%
Carpool	8.0%
Public transit	0.3%
Walk	5.2%
Other means	0.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	20.2

Poverty

All people 6.7%

Under 18 years 2.0%

18 and over 7.8%

Married-couple families 2.2%

Female-led households 13.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	45.3%
Retirement income	26.3%
Supplemental Security	3.0%
Cash public assistance	0.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	4.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	40.3%
High cholesterol	37.6%
Heart disease	9.0%
Stroke	4.2%
Asthma	9.4%
Arthritis	30.1%
Kidney disease	3.7%
Pulmonary disease	9.1%
Cancer	8.7%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.4%
No physical activity	29.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.4%
Fair or poor health	16.4%
Poor mental health	12.9%
Poor physical health	11.9%
No health insurance	9.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.7%
Visited dentist	63.1%
Cholesterol screening	89.9%
Teeth loss	16.4%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	109	7.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.5%
Under 18	2.7%
18–64 years	9.6%
65 and over	34.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	74.4%
Public insurance	48.6%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,793	96.4%
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)	1,828	98.3%
Born in same state	1,825	98.1%
Born in different state	1,401	75.3%
Foreign born	3	0.2%
Naturalized citizen	32	1.7%
Not a US citizen	32	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	363	19.5%
Polish	204	11%
French	92	4.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	58	3.1%
English	27	1.5%
Irish	12	0.6%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	47.1%
Internet access	80.7%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Elkader, IA have?

Elkader, IA has one ZIP code: 52043. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.