Harlan ZIP Codes — Shelby County, IA

There are 2 unique ZIP codes in Harlan, Iowa. Area code: 712.
2
ZIP codes
163.79
sq mi land
0.29
sq mi water
712
area code
Harlan, IA ZIP code map

About Harlan, IA

Harlan, Iowa, is a charming city located in the heart of Shelby County. Known for its friendly community and small-town atmosphere, Harlan offers a welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike. This city, with its single ZIP code of 51537, serves as a hub for local businesses and recreational activities.

Location & geography

Situated in western Iowa, Harlan is surrounded by scenic landscapes and open plains. It is approximately 30 miles from the larger city of Omaha, Nebraska, and about 20 miles from nearby communities like Atlantic, Camblin, and Irwin. The city covers a total land area of 163.79 square miles, with a small water area of 0.29 square miles.

Community & economy

The character of Harlan is defined by its close-knit community and strong local pride. The economy is diverse, with key industries including agriculture, retail, and healthcare, contributing to a stable daily life for its residents. Community events, local parks, and schools play an integral role in the vibrant social fabric of Harlan.

Transportation

Harlan is accessible via several major highways, including U.S. Route 59 and Iowa Highway 44, which connect it to surrounding areas. The nearest named airport is the Eppley Airfield in Omaha, approximately 30 miles away, providing broader travel options for residents and visitors.

History

Harlan was established in the late 19th century and has historically been an agricultural hub, reflecting the rich farming heritage of the surrounding region. It has played host to significant events, including county fairs and community celebrations that showcase local culture and talent. Over the years, Harlan has maintained its identity as a supportive and thriving small town.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Harlan is that it is home to the Harlan Community High School, which has a strong reputation for academic and athletic achievements. Additionally, the city is known for its beautiful parks and recreational opportunities that make it an attractive destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

ZIP codes for Harlan, IA (2)
ZIP code City County Map
51537 Harlan Shelby View map
51593 Harlan Shelby View map

Demographics & statistics

6,852
Population
43.7
Median age
$66,615
Median household income
$38,464
Per capita income
$155,600
Median home value
$1,036
Median monthly rent
73.6%
Home ownership
9.8%
Poverty rate
2.5%
Unemployment
2,385
Housing units
24.3%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
211
Under 5
217
224
5–9
231
146
10–14
150
298
15–19
306
147
20–24
152
312
25–34
321
392
35–44
403
322
45–54
332
242
55–59
248
343
60–64
353
346
65–74
355
226
75–84
233
169
85+
173
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 181,52122.2%
18 and over5,33177.8%
65 and over1,50221.9%
Median age43.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 89.7%
Two or more races 3.9%
Hispanic or Latino 3.1%
Other race 1.7%
Black or African American 1.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%
GroupCount%
White6,34589.7%
Two or more races2773.9%
Hispanic or Latino2213.1%
Other race1201.7%
Black or African American1051.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native50.1%

Household income

Under $10k 3.5%
$10k–$15k 3.1%
$15k–$25k 13.0%
$25k–$35k 5.5%
$35k–$50k 14.0%
$50k–$75k 15.8%
$75k–$100k 12.2%
$100k–$150k 16.7%
$150k–$200k 7.5%
$200k+ 8.7%
Range% of households
Under $10k3.5%
$10k–$15k3.1%
$15k–$25k13.0%
$25k–$35k5.5%
$35k–$50k14.0%
$50k–$75k15.8%
$75k–$100k12.2%
$100k–$150k16.7%
$150k–$200k7.5%
$200k+8.7%
Median income$66,615

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 12.9%
$50k–$100k 13.1%
$100k–$150k 21.5%
$150k–$200k 18.6%
$200k–$300k 18.4%
$300k–$500k 11.8%
$500k–$1M 2.7%
$1M+ 1.0%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$155,600
Median rent / month$1,036
Owner occupied73.6%
Renter occupied26.4%
Vacant9.5%
Single-family detached88.3%
Large apartment buildings3.8%
Mobile homes1.9%
Median rooms6.3
Avg household size (owned)2.47

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20193.0%
2000–20096.8%
1990–19995.3%
1980–19895.8%
1970–197917.0%
1960–196910.3%
1950–19597.4%
1940–19496.2%
1939 or earlier38.2%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.3%
1 bedroom5.7%
2 bedrooms24.8%
3 bedrooms39.6%
4 bedrooms21.9%
5+ bedrooms7.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle3.8%
1 vehicle31.3%
2 vehicles35.2%
3 or more29.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas55.1%
Electricity28.2%
Propane / LP gas13.9%
Fuel oil0.7%
Wood1.7%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family1,50252.9%
Cohabiting couple1786.3%
Male householder, no spouse53218.8%
Female householder, no spouse62522.0%
Households with children under 1875826.7%
Households with seniors (65+)96734.1%
Average household size2.37

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married28.9%23.8%
Married56.2%53.1%
Separated2.2%0.4%
Widowed6.7%11.6%
Divorced6.1%11.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.0%
Some HS, no diploma 4.9%
HS graduate 30.8%
Some college, no degree 20.6%
Associate's degree 17.5%
Bachelor's degree 18.0%
Graduate / professional 6.3%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher93.1%
Bachelor's or higher24.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool1116.9%
Kindergarten865.3%
Elementary school54433.6%
High school54233.5%
College / grad school33520.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 23.6%
Retail trade 13.6%
Manufacturing 11.8%
Professional & management 9.2%
Construction 8.5%
Agriculture & mining 6.6%
Transportation & utilities 6.4%
Finance & real estate 6.3%
Public administration 4.0%
Arts, food & hospitality 3.7%
Wholesale trade 2.5%
Other services 2.2%
Information 1.6%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts38.0%
Service11.7%
Sales & office21.4%
Natural resources & construction9.2%
Production & transportation19.7%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector80.6%
Government11.3%
Self-employed7.8%
Unpaid family workers0.3%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone75.0%
Carpool10.6%
Public transit0.3%
Walk3.8%
Other means0.7%
Avg commute (minutes)14.0

Poverty

All people 9.8%
Under 18 years 5.3%
18 and over 11.1%
Married-couple families 8.3%
Female-led households 36.3%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security36.2%
Retirement income20.5%
Supplemental Security1.1%
Cash public assistance2.6%
Food stamps / SNAP13.2%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure36.9%
High cholesterol36.4%
Heart disease7.6%
Stroke3.5%
Asthma9.2%
Arthritis28.0%
Kidney disease3.2%
Pulmonary disease7.5%
Cancer8.3%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking20.1%
No physical activity25.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep29.5%
Fair or poor health13.3%
Poor mental health12.6%
Poor physical health10.1%
No health insurance9.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)76.1%
Visited dentist70.5%
Cholesterol screening90.0%
Teeth loss13.2%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans5239.8%
Disability%
Any disability10.2%
Under 184.5%
18–64 years7.4%
65 and over23.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance71.1%
Public insurance40.8%
Uninsured under 191.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only6,42493.8%
Spanish971.5%
Other Indo-European971.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)6,65997.2%
Born in same state6,58296.1%
Born in different state4,61467.3%
Foreign born771.1%
Naturalized citizen1932.8%
Not a US citizen5528.5%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Italian69610.2%
French6239.1%
Dutch4857.1%
Polish2904.2%
AncestryCount%
Arab2563.7%
English751.1%
Norwegian200.3%
German10%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access41.4%
Internet access86.9%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Harlan, IA have?
Harlan, IA has one ZIP code: 51537. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
Need the complete Iowa ZIP code database? Download all IA ZIP codes — Excel, CSV, or Access. Includes lat/lng, county FIPS & timezone.
Download database →