Hartley ZIP Codes — Obrien County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Hartley, Iowa and it is 51346. Area code: 712.

ZIP codes

146.18

sq mi land

0.04

sq mi water

712

area code

Hartley, IA ZIP code map

About Hartley, IA

Hartley, Iowa, is a small yet vibrant city located in the heart of Obrien County. Known for its friendly atmosphere and strong community ties, Hartley offers a quaint Midwestern charm that appeals to both residents and visitors alike. The city’s rich agricultural roots contribute to its identity and provide a backdrop for a tight-knit community.

Location & geography

Hartley is situated in northwestern Iowa and serves as a central hub in Obrien County. It is conveniently located near the cities of Spencer, approximately 22 miles to the northeast, and Sibley, about 12 miles to the west. The city covers a land area of 146.18 square miles with a minimal water area of 0.04 square miles, characterized by a mix of agricultural land and open spaces.

Community & economy

The community of Hartley is characterized by its welcoming residents and active local organizations, fostering a spirit of cooperation among inhabitants. Local industries primarily revolve around agriculture and retail, providing essential services and employment opportunities for the locals. Daily life in Hartley includes communal events, local fairs, and access to various recreational activities, reflecting the city’s eagerness to maintain a lively community spirit.

Transportation

Hartley is accessible via several highways, including U.S. Highway 18, which connects the city to nearby communities and larger urban areas. The nearest major airport is the Spencer Municipal Airport, located approximately 20 miles to the northeast, providing regional air travel options. Public transportation options are limited; residents typically rely on personal vehicles for commuting and travel.

History

Hartley was founded in the late 19th century and has a history rooted in agriculture and dairy farming, which played a key role in its early economic development. Over the years, Hartley has experienced various phases of growth, particularly during agricultural booms and developments in local industries. Notable events in Hartley’s history include its establishment as a hub for farmers in the surrounding areas, contributing significantly to the regional agricultural landscape.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Hartley is that it hosts an annual celebration called 'Hartley Community Days,' which is a highlight for residents and attracts visitors from neighboring areas. Another little-known aspect is that the city boasts a strong artistic community, with local art displayed throughout the town, enriching its cultural landscape.

ZIP codes for Hartley, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
51346	Hartley	Obrien	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,201

Population

42.3

Median age

$56,042

Median household income

$29,602

Per capita income

$104,600

Median home value

$731

Median monthly rent

78.1%

Home ownership

11.0%

Poverty rate

3.5%

Unemployment

794

Housing units

19.7%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

127

25–34

136

35–44

106

135

45–54

143

55–59

60–64

103

65–74

110

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	468	21.3%
18 and over	1,733	78.7%
65 and over	503	22.9%
Median age	42.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 91.6%

Two or more races 3%

Hispanic or Latino 2%

Other race 1.8%

Black or African American 0.8%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.8%

Group	Count	%
White	2,058	91.6%
Two or more races	67	3%
Hispanic or Latino	45	2%
Other race	41	1.8%
Black or African American	18	0.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native	17	0.8%

Household income

Under $10k 6.3%

$10k–$15k 5.1%

$15k–$25k 11.6%

$25k–$35k 9.4%

$35k–$50k 12.8%

$50k–$75k 14.4%

$75k–$100k 16.0%

$100k–$150k 15.4%

$150k–$200k 5.7%

$200k+ 3.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.3%
$10k–$15k	5.1%
$15k–$25k	11.6%
$25k–$35k	9.4%
$35k–$50k	12.8%
$50k–$75k	14.4%
$75k–$100k	16.0%
$100k–$150k	15.4%
$150k–$200k	5.7%
$200k+	3.4%
Median income	$56,042

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 18.4%

$50k–$100k 30.5%

$100k–$150k 12.7%

$150k–$200k 11.8%

$200k–$300k 11.7%

$300k–$500k 9.3%

$500k–$1M 5.5%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$104,600
Median rent / month	$731
Owner occupied	78.1%
Renter occupied	21.9%
Vacant	11.1%
Single-family detached	87.8%
Large apartment buildings	0.3%
Mobile homes	0.1%
Median rooms	6.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.49

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	4.8%
2000–2009	4.5%
1990–1999	6.6%
1980–1989	7.0%
1970–1979	10.9%
1960–1969	10.0%
1950–1959	12.5%
1940–1949	10.3%
1939 or earlier	33.5%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	9.8%
2 bedrooms	27.4%
3 bedrooms	38.1%
4 bedrooms	20.3%
5+ bedrooms	4.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	8.2%
1 vehicle	26.5%
2 vehicles	35.0%
3 or more	30.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	56.0%
Electricity	25.5%
Propane / LP gas	17.0%
No fuel used	0.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	447	51.0%
Cohabiting couple	63	7.2%
Male householder, no spouse	132	15.1%
Female householder, no spouse	235	26.8%
Households with children under 18	204	23.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	311	35.5%
Average household size	2.43

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	31.0%	17.0%
Married	54.9%	49.9%
Separated	0.8%	0.4%
Widowed	6.2%	16.2%
Divorced	7.1%	16.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.7%

Some HS, no diploma 8.0%

HS graduate 36.8%

Some college, no degree 18.1%

Associate's degree 14.8%

Bachelor's degree 15.2%

Graduate / professional 4.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	89.4%
Bachelor's or higher	19.7%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	38	7.9%
Kindergarten	24	5.0%
Elementary school	199	41.3%
High school	119	24.7%
College / grad school	102	21.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 28.4%

Manufacturing 12.5%

Transportation & utilities 11.8%

Retail trade 8.1%

Agriculture & mining 7.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.1%

Finance & real estate 5.3%

Other services 5.1%

Construction 5.0%

Wholesale trade 4.0%

Professional & management 3.6%

Information 1.1%

Public administration 0.9%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	28.5%
Service	18.6%
Sales & office	22.1%
Natural resources & construction	11.5%
Production & transportation	19.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	88.4%
Government	7.0%
Self-employed	4.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	79.6%
Carpool	4.9%
Public transit	0.2%
Walk	4.4%
Other means	0.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	20.5

Poverty

All people 11.0%

Under 18 years 12.2%

18 and over 10.7%

Married-couple families 4.5%

Female-led households 26.5%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	37.4%
Retirement income	21.0%
Supplemental Security	3.3%
Cash public assistance	3.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	8.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.3%
High cholesterol	35.1%
Heart disease	8.4%
Stroke	3.9%
Asthma	9.3%
Arthritis	28.7%
Kidney disease	3.6%
Pulmonary disease	8.5%
Cancer	8.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	19.7%
No physical activity	29.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.9%
Fair or poor health	15.4%
Poor mental health	13.3%
Poor physical health	11.3%
No health insurance	10.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.3%
Visited dentist	63.9%
Cholesterol screening	89.0%
Teeth loss	16.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	98	5.7%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.9%
Under 18	5.6%
18–64 years	14.1%
65 and over	37.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	66.1%
Public insurance	46.8%
Uninsured under 19	0.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,052	93.2%
Spanish	26	1.3%
Other Indo-European	21	1.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	5	0.2%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,152	97.8%
Born in same state	2,149	97.6%
Born in different state	1,691	76.8%
Foreign born	3	0.1%
Naturalized citizen	49	2.2%
Not a US citizen	2	4.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
English	400	18.2%
Italian	200	9.1%
Polish	189	8.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
French	155	7%
Arab	79	3.6%
Dutch	29	1.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	39.8%
Internet access	87.5%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Hartley, IA have?

Hartley, IA has one ZIP code: 51346. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.