Forest City ZIP Codes — Winnebago County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Forest City, Iowa and it is 50436. Area code: 641.
1
ZIP codes
135.28
sq mi land
0.58
sq mi water
641
area code
Forest City, IA ZIP code map

About Forest City, IA

Forest City, Iowa, is a charming and vibrant community nestled in Winnebago County. Known for its friendly atmosphere and rich history, Forest City offers a welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike. Surrounded by beautiful landscapes, this town provides a unique blend of small-town charm and access to nature.

Location & geography

Located in the north-central part of Iowa, Forest City is bordered by scenic rolling hills and lush farmland. The town is approximately 25 miles southwest of Albert Lea, Minnesota, and about 36 miles northeast of Mason City, Iowa, making it easily accessible to neighboring communities. With a total land area of 135.28 square miles and a water area of 0.58 square miles, the town boasts a diverse geography that includes both agricultural land and natural water features.

Community & economy

The community of Forest City is characterized by its close-knit feel, where residents often engage in local events and activities. Primarily supported by agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism, the city's economy thrives with various local businesses and industries. Daily life in Forest City is enriched by community events, parks, and recreational activities that foster a sense of belonging and pride.

Transportation

Forest City is serviced by U.S. Highway 69, which provides convenient access for travelers and transport between neighboring towns. The nearest airport is the Mason City Municipal Airport, located about 36 miles away, offering both domestic and regional flights. Public transit options are limited, but the community is walkable and bike-friendly, making local commuting accessible.

History

Forest City was founded in the 1850s and has a rich agricultural heritage that continues to influence its economy today. The community is known for its annual events, such as the Forest City Beer and Wine Festival, which draws visitors from across the region. Over the years, Forest City has developed a reputation for its vibrant arts scene and active community engagement.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Forest City is that it is home to the Winnebago Industries, a leading manufacturer of recreational vehicles. Additionally, the town hosts the annual 'Forest City Holiday Festival,' which features festive activities for families and is a popular event in the community.

ZIP codes for Forest City, IA (1)
ZIP code City County Map
50436 Forest City Winnebago View map

Demographics & statistics

5,879
Population
35.3
Median age
$67,773
Median household income
$34,953
Per capita income
$143,900
Median home value
$718
Median monthly rent
76.0%
Home ownership
7.3%
Poverty rate
1.7%
Unemployment
2,037
Housing units
25.7%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
178
Under 5
169
187
5–9
178
233
10–14
222
269
15–19
257
331
20–24
316
291
25–34
278
463
35–44
441
207
45–54
197
169
55–59
162
211
60–64
202
305
65–74
292
104
75–84
100
60
85+
57
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 181,43024.3%
18 and over4,44975.7%
65 and over91815.6%
Median age35.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 88%
Asian 5.7%
Hispanic or Latino 2.1%
Two or more races 1.8%
Black or African American 1.3%
Other race 1%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%
GroupCount%
White5,28388%
Asian3405.7%
Hispanic or Latino1262.1%
Two or more races1081.8%
Black or African American811.3%
Other race581%
American Indian / Alaska Native90.1%

Household income

Under $10k 2.8%
$10k–$15k 5.6%
$15k–$25k 5.9%
$25k–$35k 7.4%
$35k–$50k 14.6%
$50k–$75k 22.7%
$75k–$100k 14.6%
$100k–$150k 13.7%
$150k–$200k 3.7%
$200k+ 8.8%
Range% of households
Under $10k2.8%
$10k–$15k5.6%
$15k–$25k5.9%
$25k–$35k7.4%
$35k–$50k14.6%
$50k–$75k22.7%
$75k–$100k14.6%
$100k–$150k13.7%
$150k–$200k3.7%
$200k+8.8%
Median income$67,773

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 5.3%
$50k–$100k 24.5%
$100k–$150k 23.0%
$150k–$200k 18.3%
$200k–$300k 15.7%
$300k–$500k 10.7%
$500k–$1M 1.8%
$1M+ 0.7%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$143,900
Median rent / month$718
Owner occupied76.0%
Renter occupied24.0%
Vacant11.6%
Single-family detached79.2%
Large apartment buildings3.8%
Mobile homes4.4%
Median rooms6.2
Avg household size (owned)2.40

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20194.5%
2000–20095.6%
1990–19996.1%
1980–19898.7%
1970–197924.6%
1960–196913.9%
1950–195910.0%
1940–19492.6%
1939 or earlier24.0%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.3%
1 bedroom7.1%
2 bedrooms20.8%
3 bedrooms45.9%
4 bedrooms20.4%
5+ bedrooms5.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle4.6%
1 vehicle32.3%
2 vehicles39.9%
3 or more23.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas59.6%
Electricity12.4%
Propane / LP gas26.1%
Fuel oil0.5%
No fuel used0.5%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family1,07947.2%
Cohabiting couple1275.6%
Male householder, no spouse51422.5%
Female householder, no spouse56624.8%
Households with children under 1875733.1%
Households with seniors (65+)61426.9%
Average household size2.32

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married46.4%26.8%
Married39.8%55.6%
Separated0.6%0.7%
Widowed2.1%7.7%
Divorced11.1%9.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.5%
Some HS, no diploma 3.7%
HS graduate 29.9%
Some college, no degree 20.1%
Associate's degree 19.2%
Bachelor's degree 17.9%
Graduate / professional 7.8%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher94.8%
Bachelor's or higher25.7%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool884.8%
Kindergarten1387.6%
Elementary school62134.1%
High school31017.0%
College / grad school66236.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 22.9%
Manufacturing 22.8%
Retail trade 14.9%
Arts, food & hospitality 8.7%
Finance & real estate 6.0%
Other services 5.3%
Construction 4.1%
Wholesale trade 4.1%
Agriculture & mining 3.9%
Transportation & utilities 3.4%
Professional & management 2.8%
Information 0.5%
Public administration 0.5%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts33.8%
Service15.5%
Sales & office19.6%
Natural resources & construction8.7%
Production & transportation22.4%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector80.4%
Government9.8%
Self-employed9.3%
Unpaid family workers0.5%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone77.7%
Carpool10.0%
Public transit0.7%
Walk3.9%
Other means1.0%
Avg commute (minutes)14.5

Poverty

All people 7.3%
Under 18 years 7.4%
18 and over 7.2%
Married-couple families 1.4%
Female-led households 8.3%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security28.5%
Retirement income19.9%
Supplemental Security2.3%
Cash public assistance1.1%
Food stamps / SNAP6.1%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure32.7%
High cholesterol32.8%
Heart disease6.5%
Stroke2.9%
Asthma9.4%
Arthritis24.0%
Kidney disease2.8%
Pulmonary disease6.6%
Cancer6.9%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking21.8%
No physical activity23.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep31.0%
Fair or poor health12.4%
Poor mental health13.7%
Poor physical health9.4%
No health insurance9.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)74.2%
Visited dentist68.0%
Cholesterol screening87.4%
Teeth loss13.1%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans2495.6%
Disability%
Any disability10.6%
Under 184.2%
18–64 years8.7%
65 and over28.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance78.8%
Public insurance31.7%
Uninsured under 190.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only5,53294.1%
Spanish1973.6%
Other Indo-European130.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander240.4%
Other languages1602.9%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)5,58795.0%
Born in same state5,53694.2%
Born in different state3,78964.4%
Foreign born510.9%
Naturalized citizen2925.0%
Not a US citizen18563.4%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Polish1,17320%
Italian4627.9%
French3285.6%
Arab2794.7%
AncestryCount%
Dutch2173.7%
English951.6%
Irish220.4%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access38.9%
Internet access95.8%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Forest City, IA have?
Forest City, IA has one ZIP code: 50436. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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