Emerson ZIP Codes — Mills County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Emerson, Iowa and it is 51533. Area code: 712.

ZIP codes

79.93

sq mi land

0.01

sq mi water

712

area code

Emerson, IA ZIP code map

About Emerson, IA

Emerson, Iowa is a small and charming city nestled in Mills County. Known for its friendly community and rural ambiance, Emerson offers a peaceful lifestyle away from urban chaos. The city's serene environment and tight-knit neighborhoods make it an attractive place for those seeking simplicity and tranquility.

Location & geography

Located in southwestern Iowa, Emerson is surrounded by a picturesque landscape that features rolling hills and agricultural fields. Neighboring cities include Malvern, which is approximately 7 miles away, and Hastings, around 5 miles from Emerson. The total land area of Emerson spans 79.93 square miles, with a minimal water area of 0.01 square miles.

Community & economy

Emerson embodies a close-knit community where residents take pride in their local heritage and traditions. The local economy is primarily supported by agriculture, with several farming operations contributing to the community's livelihood. Daily life in Emerson is characterized by friendly interactions among neighbors and a strong commitment to community events.

Transportation

Emerson is conveniently accessible via U.S. Highway 34, which connects it to larger cities in the region. The nearest significant airport is Eppley Airfield in Omaha, Nebraska, located approximately 40 miles north of Emerson. Public transportation options are limited, so many residents rely on personal vehicles for their commuting needs.

History

Founded in the early 20th century, Emerson has a rich agricultural background that has shaped its development over the years. The city once served as a hub for local farming operations and trade, impacting its growth and community structure. Notable events in Emerson's history include annual harvest festivals that celebrate the vital role of agriculture in the region.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Emerson is its proximity to the scenic Loess Hills, which offer stunning vistas and opportunities for hiking and outdoor activities. Additionally, the city’s quiet charm and rich agricultural history draw visitors interested in rural tourism.

ZIP codes for Emerson, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
51533	Emerson	Mills	View map

Demographics & statistics

843

Population

47.8

Median age

$66,029

Median household income

$36,374

Per capita income

$139,800

Median home value

$983

Median monthly rent

80.1%

Home ownership

10.0%

Poverty rate

4.2%

Unemployment

361

Housing units

21.8%

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	155	18.4%
18 and over	688	81.6%
65 and over	189	22.4%
Median age	47.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 95.7%

Two or more races 3.4%

Hispanic or Latino 0.5%

Asian 0.4%

Group	Count	%
White	811	95.7%
Two or more races	29	3.4%
Hispanic or Latino	4	0.5%
Asian	3	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 1.9%

$10k–$15k 7.0%

$15k–$25k 3.8%

$25k–$35k 8.9%

$35k–$50k 13.2%

$50k–$75k 22.0%

$75k–$100k 20.2%

$100k–$150k 11.0%

$150k–$200k 5.4%

$200k+ 6.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	1.9%
$10k–$15k	7.0%
$15k–$25k	3.8%
$25k–$35k	8.9%
$35k–$50k	13.2%
$50k–$75k	22.0%
$75k–$100k	20.2%
$100k–$150k	11.0%
$150k–$200k	5.4%
$200k+	6.7%
Median income	$66,029

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 8.4%

$50k–$100k 28.2%

$100k–$150k 17.8%

$150k–$200k 17.1%

$200k–$300k 16.4%

$300k–$500k 11.1%

$1M+ 1.0%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$139,800
Median rent / month	$983
Owner occupied	80.1%
Renter occupied	19.9%
Vacant	14.5%
Single-family detached	94.3%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	3.2%
Median rooms	7.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.38

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	0.5%
2000–2009	4.8%
1990–1999	7.8%
1980–1989	3.4%
1970–1979	9.9%
1960–1969	5.5%
1950–1959	5.1%
1940–1949	9.9%
1939 or earlier	53.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	3.0%
2 bedrooms	18.4%
3 bedrooms	38.6%
4 bedrooms	34.0%
5+ bedrooms	6.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.2%
1 vehicle	22.0%
2 vehicles	34.7%
3 or more	37.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	52.7%
Electricity	12.9%
Propane / LP gas	29.6%
Fuel oil	4.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	225	60.5%
Cohabiting couple	10	2.7%
Male householder, no spouse	58	15.6%
Female householder, no spouse	79	21.2%
Households with children under 18	70	18.8%
Households with seniors (65+)	130	34.9%
Average household size	2.27

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	24.9%	16.7%
Married	64.6%	60.8%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	5.7%	10.8%
Divorced	4.8%	11.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.0%

Some HS, no diploma 5.1%

HS graduate 28.3%

Some college, no degree 28.5%

Associate's degree 13.4%

Bachelor's degree 16.2%

Graduate / professional 5.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	91.9%
Bachelor's or higher	21.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	9	5.3%
Kindergarten	11	6.5%
Elementary school	56	32.9%
High school	62	36.5%
College / grad school	32	18.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 23.2%

Agriculture & mining 13.0%

Construction 9.9%

Retail trade 9.4%

Manufacturing 9.1%

Transportation & utilities 7.3%

Wholesale trade 7.0%

Other services 5.7%

Professional & management 5.2%

Finance & real estate 4.2%

Information 2.9%

Public administration 2.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 0.8%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	38.3%
Service	13.5%
Sales & office	21.9%
Natural resources & construction	5.5%
Production & transportation	20.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	79.4%
Government	10.2%
Self-employed	10.4%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	81.1%
Carpool	5.6%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	2.3%
Other means	1.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	21.6

Poverty

All people 10.0%

Under 18 years 23.9%

18 and over 6.8%

Married-couple families 1.8%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	38.2%
Retirement income	35.8%
Supplemental Security	11.3%
Cash public assistance	0.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	7.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.1%
High cholesterol	36.3%
Heart disease	7.4%
Stroke	3.3%
Asthma	9.6%
Arthritis	28.4%
Kidney disease	3.1%
Pulmonary disease	7.7%
Cancer	7.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	20.3%
No physical activity	25.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.3%
Fair or poor health	13.7%
Poor mental health	13.0%
Poor physical health	10.6%
No health insurance	8.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.0%
Visited dentist	67.5%
Cholesterol screening	90.7%
Teeth loss	13.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	91	13.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.2%
Under 18	3.9%
18–64 years	11.3%
65 and over	30.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	74.6%
Public insurance	41.6%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	821	97.4%
Spanish	4	0.5%
Other Indo-European	4	0.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	825	97.9%
Born in same state	823	97.6%
Born in different state	514	61.0%
Foreign born	2	0.2%
Naturalized citizen	18	2.1%
Not a US citizen	18	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	157	18.6%
French	117	13.9%
Arab	52	6.2%
Dutch	31	3.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	29	3.4%
Polish	21	2.5%
German	1	0.1%
Irish	1	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	44.1%
Internet access	94.4%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Emerson, IA have?

Emerson, IA has one ZIP code: 51533. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.