Elma ZIP Codes — Howard County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Elma, Iowa and it is 50628. Area code: 641.

ZIP codes

113.38

sq mi land

0.07

sq mi water

641

area code

Elma, IA ZIP code map

About Elma, IA

Elma is a charming city located in Howard County, Iowa. Known for its welcoming community and rural character, it serves as a small but vibrant hub for residents and visitors alike. With a rich agricultural heritage, Elma offers a slice of small-town life in the heart of the Midwest.

Location & geography

Elma is situated in the northeastern part of Iowa, surrounded by lush farmland and rolling hills. Neighboring cities include Cresco, located approximately 12 miles to the north, and Lime Springs, about 7 miles to the east. The city covers a total area of 113.38 square miles of land and has a small water area of 0.07 square miles.

Community & economy

The community in Elma is closely knit, with residents often gathering for local events and activities. Agriculture plays a significant role in the local economy, with many families involved in farming and related industries. Daily life in Elma is influenced by its cultural heritage, which celebrates the region's history and traditions.

Transportation

Elma is accessible via U.S. Highway 63, which connects residents to nearby larger cities and amenities. The nearest airport is the Waterloo Regional Airport, located about 40 miles to the southeast, providing access to regional air travel. Public transportation options are limited, typical of rural Iowa.

History

Elma was founded in the late 19th century and has since developed a reputation for strong agricultural roots. Key industries in the area have historically included farming, with notable events like local fairs celebrating agricultural achievements. Over the years, Elma has maintained its small-town charm while adapting to modern changes.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Elma is that it has a unique community park featuring a classic bandstand, where local musicians often perform during summer events. The city's strong sense of community spirit helps foster a welcoming atmosphere for visitors and residents alike.

ZIP codes for Elma, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
50628	Elma	Howard	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,183

Population

49.1

Median age

$57,353

Median household income

$32,166

Per capita income

$137,500

Median home value

$549

Median monthly rent

79.2%

Home ownership

10.4%

Poverty rate

1.2%

Unemployment

443

Housing units

14.3%

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	229	19.4%
18 and over	954	80.6%
65 and over	347	29.3%
Median age	49.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 96.7%

Two or more races 2.3%

Hispanic or Latino 1.1%

Group	Count	%
White	1,156	96.7%
Two or more races	27	2.3%
Hispanic or Latino	13	1.1%

Household income

Under $10k 1.7%

$10k–$15k 5.4%

$15k–$25k 18.3%

$25k–$35k 6.0%

$35k–$50k 11.6%

$50k–$75k 25.3%

$75k–$100k 11.8%

$100k–$150k 10.4%

$150k–$200k 1.9%

$200k+ 7.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	1.7%
$10k–$15k	5.4%
$15k–$25k	18.3%
$25k–$35k	6.0%
$35k–$50k	11.6%
$50k–$75k	25.3%
$75k–$100k	11.8%
$100k–$150k	10.4%
$150k–$200k	1.9%
$200k+	7.5%
Median income	$57,353

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 15.6%

$50k–$100k 20.7%

$100k–$150k 21.0%

$150k–$200k 10.0%

$200k–$300k 16.6%

$300k–$500k 8.3%

$500k–$1M 7.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$137,500
Median rent / month	$549
Owner occupied	79.2%
Renter occupied	20.8%
Vacant	6.0%
Single-family detached	88.6%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	3.1%
Median rooms	6.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.23

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	8.7%
2000–2009	10.9%
1990–1999	5.3%
1980–1989	4.5%
1970–1979	10.9%
1960–1969	2.9%
1950–1959	1.5%
1940–1949	12.3%
1939 or earlier	43.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	6.4%
2 bedrooms	22.1%
3 bedrooms	42.8%
4 bedrooms	22.9%
5+ bedrooms	5.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.6%
1 vehicle	27.0%
2 vehicles	33.2%
3 or more	34.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	4.1%
Electricity	8.7%
Propane / LP gas	72.2%
Fuel oil	12.7%
Wood	2.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	257	49.6%
Cohabiting couple	47	9.1%
Male householder, no spouse	55	10.6%
Female householder, no spouse	159	30.7%
Households with children under 18	129	24.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	228	44.0%
Average household size	2.21

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	33.0%	18.5%
Married	55.8%	51.0%
Separated	0.2%	1.6%
Widowed	3.4%	19.4%
Divorced	7.7%	9.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 6.6%

Some HS, no diploma 1.7%

HS graduate 43.2%

Some college, no degree 15.6%

Associate's degree 18.6%

Bachelor's degree 13.3%

Graduate / professional 1.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	91.7%
Bachelor's or higher	14.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	7	3.2%
Kindergarten	11	5.0%
Elementary school	92	42.2%
High school	75	34.4%
College / grad school	33	15.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Agriculture & mining 21.3%

Education & healthcare 20.4%

Manufacturing 20.2%

Transportation & utilities 12.3%

Retail trade 6.2%

Construction 4.2%

Finance & real estate 4.0%

Other services 3.7%

Wholesale trade 2.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 2.5%

Professional & management 1.6%

Public administration 1.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	32.0%
Service	16.2%
Sales & office	19.2%
Natural resources & construction	13.9%
Production & transportation	18.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	66.3%
Government	15.3%
Self-employed	18.5%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	74.9%
Carpool	6.6%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.5%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	25.4

Poverty

All people 10.4%

Under 18 years 14.7%

18 and over 9.3%

Married-couple families 1.9%

Female-led households 63.8%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	42.7%
Retirement income	19.1%
Supplemental Security	4.4%
Cash public assistance	1.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	10.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	38.1%
High cholesterol	36.9%
Heart disease	8.8%
Stroke	4.0%
Asthma	9.3%
Arthritis	30.1%
Kidney disease	3.6%
Pulmonary disease	8.7%
Cancer	8.7%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	19.1%
No physical activity	27.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.8%
Fair or poor health	15.6%
Poor mental health	13.2%
Poor physical health	11.4%
No health insurance	10.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.5%
Visited dentist	61.9%
Cholesterol screening	89.3%
Teeth loss	14.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	93	9.7%

Disability	%
Any disability	11.7%
Under 18	6.1%
18–64 years	5.9%
65 and over	27.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	65.7%
Public insurance	45.6%
Uninsured under 19	28.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,126	95.2%
Spanish	47	4.2%
Other Indo-European	7	0.6%
Asian & Pacific Islander	40	3.6%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,167	98.6%
Born in same state	1,160	98.1%
Born in different state	939	79.4%
Foreign born	7	0.6%
Naturalized citizen	16	1.4%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	176	14.9%
Polish	100	8.5%
Arab	67	5.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
French	64	5.4%
Dutch	14	1.2%
English	8	0.7%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	43.8%
Internet access	82.4%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Elma, IA have?

Elma, IA has one ZIP code: 50628. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.