Marathon ZIP Codes — Buena Vista County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Marathon, Iowa and it is 50565. Area code: 712.

ZIP codes

43.51

sq mi land

0.05

sq mi water

712

area code

Marathon, IA ZIP code map

About Marathon, IA

Marathon is a charming city located in the state of Iowa, known for its rural landscapes and close-knit community. Nestled within Buena Vista County, this small town offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. With a ZIP code of 50565, Marathon has a unique identity that reflects its agricultural roots and local traditions.

Location & geography

Marathon is situated in the northwestern part of Iowa, providing easy access to the natural beauty of the region. The city is approximately 18 miles northwest of Storm Lake and about 12 miles southwest of Sioux Rapids. With a land area of 43.51 square miles and a water area of 0.05 square miles, Marathon features predominantly flat terrain, typical of the Iowa landscape.

Community & economy

The character of Marathon is defined by a strong sense of community and friendly residents, who take pride in their small-town lifestyle. The local economy primarily revolves around agriculture, with nearby farms and related industries playing a significant role in daily life. Community events and gatherings often showcase the town's cultural heritage, making it an inviting place for both residents and visitors.

Transportation

Marathon is conveniently accessible via county roads and is located near U.S. Highway 71, which connects it to larger cities and regional hubs. The nearest major airport is in Sioux City, Iowa, located approximately 70 miles to the southwest of Marathon. Public transit options may be limited, and residents typically rely on personal vehicles for transportation.

History

Founded in the late 19th century, Marathon was established during a period of agricultural expansion in Iowa. The city has historically been supported by farming and has developed a close-knit community around this vital industry. Notable events in its history include local fairs and community gatherings that celebrate its agricultural heritage.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Marathon is that it has only one ZIP code, 50565, reflecting its small size. Despite being a small town, Marathon embodies the spirit of rural Iowa with its dedicated residents and a rich agricultural background.

ZIP codes for Marathon, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
50565	Marathon	Buena Vista	View map

Demographics & statistics

381

Population

42.8

Median age

$56,667

Median household income

$32,407

Per capita income

$59,100

Median home value

$783

Median monthly rent

92.4%

Home ownership

17.0%

Poverty rate

11.0%

Unemployment

201

Housing units

21.5%

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	90	23.6%
18 and over	291	76.4%
65 and over	71	18.6%
Median age	42.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 87.7%

Two or more races 6.5%

Hispanic or Latino 4.3%

Other race 1.5%

Group	Count	%
White	349	87.7%
Two or more races	26	6.5%
Hispanic or Latino	17	4.3%
Other race	6	1.5%

Household income

Under $10k 8.9%

$15k–$25k 24.7%

$25k–$35k 5.7%

$35k–$50k 8.2%

$50k–$75k 13.9%

$75k–$100k 7.6%

$100k–$150k 19.0%

$150k–$200k 3.8%

$200k+ 8.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	8.9%
$15k–$25k	24.7%
$25k–$35k	5.7%
$35k–$50k	8.2%
$50k–$75k	13.9%
$75k–$100k	7.6%
$100k–$150k	19.0%
$150k–$200k	3.8%
$200k+	8.2%
Median income	$56,667

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 43.2%

$50k–$100k 22.6%

$100k–$150k 17.8%

$150k–$200k 5.5%

$200k–$300k 6.2%

$500k–$1M 1.4%

$1M+ 3.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$59,100
Median rent / month	$783
Owner occupied	92.4%
Renter occupied	7.6%
Vacant	25.8%
Single-family detached	98.6%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	0.0%
Median rooms	6.6
Avg household size (owned)	2.42

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	10.3%
2000–2009	2.8%
1990–1999	0.0%
1980–1989	1.4%
1970–1979	3.8%
1960–1969	9.4%
1950–1959	7.0%
1940–1949	10.8%
1939 or earlier	54.5%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	5.2%
2 bedrooms	13.6%
3 bedrooms	55.9%
4 bedrooms	23.0%
5+ bedrooms	2.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.0%
1 vehicle	17.7%
2 vehicles	36.1%
3 or more	46.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	53.2%
Electricity	17.7%
Propane / LP gas	26.6%
Fuel oil	2.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	91	57.6%
Cohabiting couple	6	3.8%
Male householder, no spouse	36	22.8%
Female householder, no spouse	25	15.8%
Households with children under 18	41	25.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	50	31.6%
Average household size	2.41

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	25.1%	23.7%
Married	56.9%	63.0%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	3.6%	5.2%
Divorced	14.4%	8.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.7%

Some HS, no diploma 3.8%

HS graduate 26.0%

Some college, no degree 39.8%

Associate's degree 7.3%

Bachelor's degree 17.6%

Graduate / professional 3.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	94.5%
Bachelor's or higher	21.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	6	8.0%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	16	21.3%
High school	32	42.7%
College / grad school	21	28.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Agriculture & mining 28.2%

Education & healthcare 25.6%

Manufacturing 11.8%

Transportation & utilities 11.8%

Retail trade 9.7%

Construction 5.1%

Professional & management 3.1%

Wholesale trade 2.6%

Finance & real estate 1.5%

Public administration 0.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	29.2%
Service	11.8%
Sales & office	13.3%
Natural resources & construction	23.1%
Production & transportation	22.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	85.1%
Government	9.7%
Self-employed	5.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	83.0%
Carpool	7.2%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.5%
Other means	1.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	29.3

Poverty

All people 17.0%

Under 18 years 17.4%

18 and over 16.8%

Married-couple families 14.3%

Female-led households 55.6%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	31.0%
Retirement income	20.3%
Supplemental Security	3.2%
Cash public assistance	6.3%
Food stamps / SNAP	12.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.3%
High cholesterol	35.2%
Heart disease	7.7%
Stroke	3.4%
Asthma	8.9%
Arthritis	27.2%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	7.7%
Cancer	8.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	19.6%
No physical activity	25.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.8%
Fair or poor health	13.8%
Poor mental health	12.5%
Poor physical health	10.5%
No health insurance	8.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.8%
Visited dentist	67.8%
Cholesterol screening	91.1%
Teeth loss	13.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	14	4.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.2%
Under 18	2.2%
18–64 years	15.0%
65 and over	26.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	79.8%
Public insurance	37.8%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	365	95.8%
Spanish	7	1.9%
Other Indo-European	7	1.9%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	366	96.1%
Born in same state	366	96.1%
Born in different state	299	78.5%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	15	3.9%
Not a US citizen	4	26.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	56	14.7%
Arab	47	12.3%
English	20	5.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
French	19	5%
Dutch	8	2.1%
Polish	6	1.6%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.5%
Internet access	97.5%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Marathon, IA have?

Marathon, IA has one ZIP code: 50565. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.