Maxwell ZIP Codes — Story County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Maxwell, Iowa and it is 50161. Area code: 515.

ZIP codes

79.17

sq mi land

0.09

sq mi water

515

area code

Maxwell, IA ZIP code map

About Maxwell, IA

Maxwell, Iowa is a small and charming city located in Story County. Known for its friendly atmosphere, this city offers a tight-knit community feel that attracts residents and visitors alike. With a ZIP code of 50161, Maxwell serves as a delightful spot for those looking to experience the heart of Iowa.

Location & geography

Maxwell is situated in the central part of Iowa and is approximately 16 miles northeast of the state capital, Des Moines. The city is bordered by other small towns including Collins to the west, and she is surrounded by agricultural landscapes that define the region. With a land area of 79.17 square miles and a minimal water area of 0.09 square miles, Maxwell features mostly flat terrain, making it suitable for farming and outdoor activities.

Community & economy

The community of Maxwell prides itself on its friendly and neighborly vibe, where residents often gather for local events and activities. Predominantly a rural area, agriculture plays a significant role in the local economy, contributing to the city’s daily life and character. Alongside farming, small local businesses foster a supportive economy that benefits the townspeople.

Transportation

Maxwell is conveniently accessible via major highways, including U.S. Route 30, which runs to the south of the city. For those traveling longer distances, the nearest major airport is the Des Moines International Airport, located about 20 miles to the southwest. Public transportation options may be limited, but the area's walkability enhances daily commuting.

History

Maxwell was founded in the 19th century and has since remained a quintessential small Iowa town. Agriculture has been a cornerstone of the local economy since its inception, with farmers cultivating the rich soil of Story County. Notable events throughout its history have included local fairs and community gatherings that celebrate the agricultural heritage of the area.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Maxwell is that it hosts a popular annual event called the Maxwell Country Fair, which draws residents and visitors to enjoy food, games, and local entertainment. Additionally, the city remains a hidden gem for those seeking a peaceful lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of larger urban areas.

ZIP codes for Maxwell, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
50161	Maxwell	Story	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,016

Population

42.5

Median age

$81,836

Median household income

$42,708

Per capita income

$190,600

Median home value

$833

Median monthly rent

86.2%

Home ownership

5.7%

Poverty rate

2.7%

Unemployment

782

Housing units

26.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

112

10–14

123

15–19

20–24

25–34

157

35–44

171

134

45–54

146

55–59

60–64

114

65–74

125

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	466	23.1%
18 and over	1,550	76.9%
65 and over	370	18.4%
Median age	42.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 87%

Hispanic or Latino 5.5%

Other race 3.2%

Two or more races 2.8%

Asian 1%

Black or African American 0.5%

Group	Count	%
White	1,856	87%
Hispanic or Latino	118	5.5%
Other race	68	3.2%
Two or more races	60	2.8%
Asian	21	1%
Black or African American	11	0.5%

Household income

Under $10k 2.5%

$10k–$15k 3.1%

$15k–$25k 6.6%

$25k–$35k 4.3%

$35k–$50k 13.6%

$50k–$75k 11.4%

$75k–$100k 17.2%

$100k–$150k 17.6%

$150k–$200k 19.4%

$200k+ 4.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.5%
$10k–$15k	3.1%
$15k–$25k	6.6%
$25k–$35k	4.3%
$35k–$50k	13.6%
$50k–$75k	11.4%
$75k–$100k	17.2%
$100k–$150k	17.6%
$150k–$200k	19.4%
$200k+	4.4%
Median income	$81,836

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 10.3%

$50k–$100k 8.8%

$100k–$150k 18.9%

$150k–$200k 14.6%

$200k–$300k 15.8%

$300k–$500k 15.8%

$500k–$1M 13.8%

$1M+ 2.0%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$190,600
Median rent / month	$833
Owner occupied	86.2%
Renter occupied	13.8%
Vacant	9.5%
Single-family detached	83.0%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	12.4%
Median rooms	6.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.56

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	10.0%
2000–2009	9.8%
1990–1999	8.4%
1980–1989	4.3%
1970–1979	17.1%
1960–1969	8.7%
1950–1959	4.7%
1940–1949	2.2%
1939 or earlier	34.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	4.7%
2 bedrooms	24.9%
3 bedrooms	46.6%
4 bedrooms	11.9%
5+ bedrooms	11.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.5%
1 vehicle	23.2%
2 vehicles	29.5%
3 or more	44.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	40.7%
Electricity	16.3%
Propane / LP gas	40.2%
Wood	1.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	480	59.3%
Cohabiting couple	39	4.8%
Male householder, no spouse	107	13.2%
Female householder, no spouse	183	22.6%
Households with children under 18	216	26.7%
Households with seniors (65+)	248	30.7%
Average household size	2.49

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	24.3%	26.1%
Married	62.1%	58.8%
Separated	3.0%	3.7%
Widowed	3.2%	5.1%
Divorced	7.5%	6.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.3%

Some HS, no diploma 9.1%

HS graduate 25.0%

Some college, no degree 21.4%

Associate's degree 17.8%

Bachelor's degree 19.1%

Graduate / professional 7.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	90.7%
Bachelor's or higher	26.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	5	1.2%
Kindergarten	15	3.6%
Elementary school	280	66.5%
High school	95	22.6%
College / grad school	26	6.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 25.1%

Retail trade 19.7%

Professional & management 10.9%

Manufacturing 8.4%

Construction 7.4%

Agriculture & mining 7.2%

Finance & real estate 5.1%

Public administration 3.6%

Transportation & utilities 3.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 3.5%

Wholesale trade 2.9%

Other services 2.5%

Information 0.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	41.9%
Service	17.1%
Sales & office	15.7%
Natural resources & construction	8.2%
Production & transportation	17.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	75.3%
Government	19.1%
Self-employed	5.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	86.2%
Carpool	2.6%
Public transit	0.7%
Walk	0.5%
Other means	0.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	27.8

Poverty

All people 5.7%

Under 18 years 9.9%

18 and over 4.5%

Married-couple families 1.9%

Female-led households 21.4%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	34.5%
Retirement income	20.9%
Supplemental Security	9.0%
Cash public assistance	2.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	12.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	28.1%
High cholesterol	31.6%
Heart disease	5.3%
Stroke	2.3%
Asthma	9.0%
Arthritis	21.7%
Kidney disease	2.3%
Pulmonary disease	5.2%
Cancer	6.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	23.6%
No physical activity	18.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	27.5%
Fair or poor health	9.8%
Poor mental health	12.6%
Poor physical health	7.8%
No health insurance	7.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)	71.8%
Visited dentist	74.2%
Cholesterol screening	89.6%
Teeth loss	9.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	79	5.1%

Disability	%
Any disability	11.6%
Under 18	1.9%
18–64 years	11.6%
65 and over	23.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	84.6%
Public insurance	32.2%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,938	96.1%
Spanish	8	0.4%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	8	0.4%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,014	99.9%
Born in same state	2,010	99.7%
Born in different state	1,614	80.1%
Foreign born	4	0.2%
Naturalized citizen	2	0.1%
Not a US citizen	1	50.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	265	13.1%
French	221	11%
Polish	129	6.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	120	6%
English	57	2.8%
Dutch	33	1.6%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.1%
Internet access	96.5%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Maxwell, IA have?

Maxwell, IA has one ZIP code: 50161. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.