Irwin ZIP Codes — Shelby County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Irwin, Iowa and it is 51446. Area code: 712.

ZIP codes

35.77

sq mi land

0.00

sq mi water

712

area code

Irwin, IA ZIP code map

About Irwin, IA

Irwin is a charming city located in Shelby County, Iowa. Known for its friendly atmosphere and close-knit community, Irwin offers a delightful small-town experience. Visitors and residents alike appreciate the beautiful landscapes and the quiet lifestyle that this city promotes.

Location & geography

Irwin is situated in the western part of Iowa, approximately 15 miles northeast of Harlan and about 10 miles southwest of Carroll. The city covers a sprawling land area of 35.77 square miles, with no significant water bodies within its boundaries. The terrain is predominantly flat, typical of the region, providing easy access for travelers and residents alike.

Community & economy

The character of Irwin is largely defined by its community spirit and commitment to local agriculture. The city features small businesses and various agricultural industries that contribute to the local economy and provide residents with essential goods and services. Daily life in Irwin revolves around community events, local gatherings, and a strong connection with the surrounding farmland.

Transportation

Irwin is accessible primarily by road, with U.S. Highway 44 running nearby and providing convenient routes to neighboring towns and cities. The closest major airport is the Eppley Airfield in Omaha, Nebraska, which is about an hour's drive away. Local transit options may include carpooling and regional shuttle services.

History

Irwin was founded in the late 19th century and has a rich agricultural heritage that continues to influence the city’s development and economy. Historically, key industries have included farming and small-scale manufacturing, which have shaped the community over the decades. Irwin has also hosted various local festivals and events that celebrate its heritage and bring together residents and visitors.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Irwin is that it has only one ZIP code, 51446, serving the entire city. Despite its small size, the city is known for its welcoming atmosphere and community-oriented events that make it unique in the region.

ZIP codes for Irwin, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
51446	Irwin	Shelby	View map

Demographics & statistics

483

Population

50.8

Median age

$75,500

Median household income

$47,710

Per capita income

$103,100

Median home value

$575

Median monthly rent

90.7%

Home ownership

16.0%

Poverty rate

0.8%

Unemployment

223

Housing units

20.5%

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	98	20.3%
18 and over	385	79.7%
65 and over	119	24.6%
Median age	50.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 94.3%

Two or more races 2.8%

Hispanic or Latino 2.2%

Other race 0.6%

Group	Count	%
White	466	94.3%
Two or more races	14	2.8%
Hispanic or Latino	11	2.2%
Other race	3	0.6%

Household income

Under $10k 12.8%

$10k–$15k 3.5%

$15k–$25k 4.9%

$25k–$35k 9.7%

$35k–$50k 7.1%

$50k–$75k 11.5%

$75k–$100k 15.5%

$100k–$150k 20.4%

$150k–$200k 8.8%

$200k+ 5.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	12.8%
$10k–$15k	3.5%
$15k–$25k	4.9%
$25k–$35k	9.7%
$35k–$50k	7.1%
$50k–$75k	11.5%
$75k–$100k	15.5%
$100k–$150k	20.4%
$150k–$200k	8.8%
$200k+	5.8%
Median income	$75,500

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 19.0%

$50k–$100k 30.2%

$100k–$150k 13.7%

$150k–$200k 5.4%

$200k–$300k 20.0%

$300k–$500k 11.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$103,100
Median rent / month	$575
Owner occupied	90.7%
Renter occupied	9.3%
Vacant	7.4%
Single-family detached	95.5%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	2.0%
Median rooms	7.2
Avg household size (owned)	2.13

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	0.0%
2000–2009	5.7%
1990–1999	0.4%
1980–1989	14.3%
1970–1979	9.4%
1960–1969	10.7%
1950–1959	10.2%
1940–1949	16.4%
1939 or earlier	32.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	5.7%
2 bedrooms	22.1%
3 bedrooms	25.4%
4 bedrooms	39.8%
5+ bedrooms	7.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.2%
1 vehicle	19.9%
2 vehicles	28.3%
3 or more	49.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	56.6%
Electricity	23.5%
Propane / LP gas	19.0%
Wood	0.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	119	52.7%
Cohabiting couple	6	2.7%
Male householder, no spouse	48	21.2%
Female householder, no spouse	53	23.5%
Households with children under 18	68	30.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	90	39.8%
Average household size	2.14

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	27.2%	7.4%
Married	61.4%	64.7%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	4.0%	4.2%
Divorced	7.4%	23.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.3%

Some HS, no diploma 3.8%

HS graduate 29.8%

Some college, no degree 35.3%

Associate's degree 10.4%

Bachelor's degree 13.3%

Graduate / professional 7.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.0%
Bachelor's or higher	20.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	5	5.9%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	50	58.8%
High school	11	12.9%
College / grad school	19	22.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 19.4%

Education & healthcare 18.3%

Agriculture & mining 11.5%

Retail trade 9.5%

Transportation & utilities 9.5%

Other services 7.5%

Construction 5.6%

Wholesale trade 5.6%

Professional & management 5.2%

Finance & real estate 2.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 2.4%

Public administration 2.4%

Information 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	38.1%
Service	9.5%
Sales & office	20.6%
Natural resources & construction	7.5%
Production & transportation	24.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	61.1%
Government	21.8%
Self-employed	17.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	77.0%
Carpool	6.2%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	6.2%
Other means	3.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	25.4

Poverty

All people 16.0%

Under 18 years 32.3%

18 and over 11.9%

Married-couple families 0.8%

Female-led households 85.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	37.6%
Retirement income	22.1%
Supplemental Security	3.5%
Cash public assistance	11.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	8.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	39.6%
High cholesterol	38.7%
Heart disease	8.4%
Stroke	3.6%
Asthma	8.7%
Arthritis	29.9%
Kidney disease	3.4%
Pulmonary disease	7.5%
Cancer	9.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.7%
No physical activity	24.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	28.5%
Fair or poor health	12.7%
Poor mental health	11.4%
Poor physical health	9.9%
No health insurance	8.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.9%
Visited dentist	72.9%
Cholesterol screening	91.9%
Teeth loss	11.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	47	12.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	12.4%
Under 18	4.1%
18–64 years	10.5%
65 and over	23.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	63.1%
Public insurance	47.4%
Uninsured under 19	4.9%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	462	95.7%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	481	99.6%
Born in same state	481	99.6%
Born in different state	332	68.7%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	2	0.4%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	65	13.5%
Polish	34	7%
Dutch	30	6.2%
English	27	5.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	25	5.2%
Arab	11	2.3%
French	9	1.9%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	46.8%
Internet access	91.2%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Irwin, IA have?

Irwin, IA has one ZIP code: 51446. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.