Melvin ZIP Codes — Osceola County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Melvin, Iowa and it is 51350. Area code: 712.
1
ZIP codes
44.55
sq mi land
0.00
sq mi water
712
area code
Melvin, IA ZIP code map

About Melvin, IA

Melvin is a small, charming city located in Osceola County, Iowa. Known for its tight-knit community and rural atmosphere, it offers residents a peaceful place to live while providing easy access to nearby towns. The city embodies the essence of small-town America, with friendly faces and an inviting spirit.

Location & geography

Melvin is strategically located in the northwest part of Iowa and is surrounded by several neighboring cities. Those include Sibley at approximately 11 miles to the southeast, and Ashton, which is about 7 miles to the northwest. The city spans a land area of 44.55 square miles, with no water area, primarily characterized by flat terrain typical of the region.

Community & economy

The community in Melvin is characterized by a strong sense of camaraderie and connection among its residents. The local economy is supported by agriculture and small businesses, which contribute to a vibrant everyday life. Though small, Melvin hosts various community events that foster relationships among neighbors and allow for a sense of belonging.

Transportation

Melvin is accessible via local roads, with the nearest major highway being Highway 60, which connects it to larger cities in the region. The nearest airport for commercial flights is in Sioux City, approximately 75 miles away, making travel relatively convenient. Local transit options tend to be minimal, reflecting the rural nature of the area.

History

Founded in the late 19th century, Melvin was established as a farming community that capitalized on the agricultural richness of Osceola County. Key industries during its development included agriculture and livestock raising, which still form the backbone of the local economy. Over the years, Melvin has maintained its small-town charm, providing a stable environment for its residents.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Melvin is that it has only one ZIP code, 51350, which covers the entire area. Additionally, despite its small size, the town is a representation of the broader agricultural heritage of Iowa.

ZIP codes for Melvin, IA (1)
ZIP code City County Map
51350 Melvin Osceola View map

Demographics & statistics

443
Population
40.1
Median age
$63,125
Median household income
$28,695
Per capita income
$76,900
Median home value
$463
Median monthly rent
77.2%
Home ownership
22.7%
Poverty rate
3.1%
Unemployment
185
Housing units
17.2%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
7
Under 5
5
45
5–9
27
20
10–14
12
23
15–19
14
3
20–24
2
24
25–34
15
30
35–44
18
25
45–54
16
25
55–59
15
16
60–64
10
34
65–74
20
7
75–84
4
16
85+
10
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1814733.2%
18 and over29666.8%
65 and over9120.5%
Median age40.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 99.1%
Asian 0.9%
GroupCount%
White43999.1%
Asian40.9%

Household income

Under $10k 1.7%
$10k–$15k 2.8%
$15k–$25k 12.2%
$25k–$35k 10.0%
$35k–$50k 21.7%
$50k–$75k 20.6%
$75k–$100k 19.4%
$100k–$150k 8.3%
$150k–$200k 2.2%
$200k+ 1.1%
Range% of households
Under $10k1.7%
$10k–$15k2.8%
$15k–$25k12.2%
$25k–$35k10.0%
$35k–$50k21.7%
$50k–$75k20.6%
$75k–$100k19.4%
$100k–$150k8.3%
$150k–$200k2.2%
$200k+1.1%
Median income$63,125

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 34.5%
$50k–$100k 24.5%
$100k–$150k 27.3%
$150k–$200k 11.5%
$200k–$300k 2.2%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$76,900
Median rent / month$463
Owner occupied77.2%
Renter occupied22.8%
Vacant20.4%
Single-family detached90.3%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes1.3%
Median rooms6.3
Avg household size (owned)1.99

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20190.0%
2000–20090.0%
1990–19995.3%
1980–19895.3%
1970–19797.1%
1960–196910.6%
1950–195910.6%
1940–194912.4%
1939 or earlier48.7%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.0%
1 bedroom13.7%
2 bedrooms26.5%
3 bedrooms36.3%
4 bedrooms21.2%
5+ bedrooms2.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle0.6%
1 vehicle33.3%
2 vehicles40.0%
3 or more26.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas3.9%
Electricity15.0%
Propane / LP gas76.7%
Fuel oil2.8%
No fuel used0.6%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family6737.2%
Cohabiting couple126.7%
Male householder, no spouse5530.6%
Female householder, no spouse4625.6%
Households with children under 184826.7%
Households with seniors (65+)6234.4%
Average household size2.46

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married45.5%21.7%
Married37.6%47.8%
Separated2.6%0.0%
Widowed1.6%10.1%
Divorced12.7%20.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 7.0%
Some HS, no diploma 14.4%
HS graduate 44.9%
Some college, no degree 13.7%
Associate's degree 2.8%
Bachelor's degree 17.2%
Graduate / professional 0.0%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher78.6%
Bachelor's or higher17.2%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool1712.4%
Kindergarten21.5%
Elementary school7454.0%
High school3827.7%
College / grad school64.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Agriculture & mining 18.9%
Manufacturing 16.6%
Wholesale trade 16.6%
Education & healthcare 16.1%
Construction 10.1%
Retail trade 8.3%
Transportation & utilities 5.1%
Arts, food & hospitality 2.8%
Information 1.8%
Public administration 1.8%
Professional & management 0.9%
Other services 0.9%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts27.2%
Service9.7%
Sales & office7.8%
Natural resources & construction31.3%
Production & transportation24.0%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector85.3%
Government6.0%
Self-employed7.8%
Unpaid family workers0.9%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone73.2%
Carpool13.1%
Public transit0.0%
Walk8.9%
Other means0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)19.9

Poverty

All people 22.7%
Under 18 years 49.7%
18 and over 9.5%
Married-couple families 1.5%
Female-led households 46.4%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security31.1%
Retirement income16.1%
Supplemental Security0.6%
Cash public assistance3.9%
Food stamps / SNAP6.7%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure36.1%
High cholesterol34.4%
Heart disease7.9%
Stroke3.6%
Asthma9.4%
Arthritis28.0%
Kidney disease3.3%
Pulmonary disease7.8%
Cancer7.9%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking19.9%
No physical activity26.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep30.4%
Fair or poor health14.6%
Poor mental health13.5%
Poor physical health10.9%
No health insurance10.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)75.7%
Visited dentist65.0%
Cholesterol screening89.3%
Teeth loss15.5%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans165.4%
Disability%
Any disability16.0%
Under 188.2%
18–64 years20.5%
65 and over18.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance60.3%
Public insurance48.5%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only43197.3%
Spanish173.9%
Other Indo-European173.9%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)42696.2%
Born in same state42696.2%
Born in different state28664.6%
Foreign born00.0%
Naturalized citizen173.8%
Not a US citizen00.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
English8719.6%
Italian378.4%
Polish92%
AncestryCount%
Dutch61.4%
French51.1%
Arab30.7%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access40.6%
Internet access94.4%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Melvin, IA have?
Melvin, IA has one ZIP code: 51350. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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