Meriden ZIP Code List — Cherokee County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Meriden, Iowa and it is 51037. Area code: 712.

ZIP codes

23.57

sq mi land

0.00

sq mi water

712

area code

Meriden, IA ZIP code map

About Meriden, IA

Meriden is a small city located in Cherokee County, Iowa. Known for its tight-knit community and rural charm, Meriden offers a peaceful lifestyle surrounded by the picturesque landscapes of Iowa. The city embodies the spirit of small-town America, making it a welcoming place for residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Meriden is situated in the northwestern part of Iowa and is predominantly surrounded by farmland and open spaces. It is located approximately 15 miles from Cherokee, 20 miles from Storm Lake, and 30 miles from Spencer, providing easy access to neighboring communities. The land area of Meriden encompasses 23.57 square miles, with no significant bodies of water within its boundaries.

Community & economy

The character of Meriden is defined by its friendly residents and rural atmosphere, where community events foster a sense of belonging. The local economy primarily revolves around agriculture and small businesses that serve the needs of the community. Daily life in Meriden is often characterized by outdoor activities, local gatherings, and a shared appreciation for the serene Iowa countryside.

Transportation

Meriden can be accessed via several local roads, with nearby highways facilitating travel to larger towns. The nearest major highways include U.S. Route 59 and Iowa Highway 3, which connect the city to regional hubs. The Sioux City Gateway Airport, located approximately 60 miles away, serves as the nearest commercial airport for air travel needs.

History

Founded in the late 19th century, Meriden has a rich agricultural history that shaped its development and character. The city was primarily established to serve the local farming community, with key industries evolving around agriculture and small commerce. Notable events in the city’s history include various local fairs and festivals that celebrate its heritage and bring the community together.

Did you know?

One little-known fact about Meriden is that it features a unique blend of rural culture and community spirit, which is reflected in its local traditions and celebrations. Despite its small size, Meriden often surprises visitors with its warm, welcoming atmosphere and enthusiasm for community engagement.

ZIP codes for Meriden, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
51037	Meriden	Cherokee	View map

Demographics & statistics

293

Population

55.6

Median age

$76,667

Median household income

$29,332

Per capita income

$232,100

Median home value

$703

Median monthly rent

81.1%

Home ownership

13.7%

Poverty rate

0.0%

Unemployment

136

Housing units

21.8%

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	70	23.9%
18 and over	223	76.1%
65 and over	64	21.8%
Median age	55.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 97.3%

Hispanic or Latino 1.3%

Two or more races 1.3%

Group	Count	%
White	289	97.3%
Hispanic or Latino	4	1.3%
Two or more races	4	1.3%

Household income

Under $10k 1.6%

$15k–$25k 13.1%

$25k–$35k 4.9%

$35k–$50k 9.0%

$50k–$75k 19.7%

$75k–$100k 35.2%

$100k–$150k 12.3%

$150k–$200k 4.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	1.6%
$15k–$25k	13.1%
$25k–$35k	4.9%
$35k–$50k	9.0%
$50k–$75k	19.7%
$75k–$100k	35.2%
$100k–$150k	12.3%
$150k–$200k	4.1%
Median income	$76,667

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 16.2%

$50k–$100k 10.1%

$100k–$150k 13.1%

$150k–$200k 6.1%

$200k–$300k 36.4%

$300k–$500k 18.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$232,100
Median rent / month	$703
Owner occupied	81.1%
Renter occupied	18.9%
Vacant	23.3%
Single-family detached	91.2%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	1.3%
Median rooms	7.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.38

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	6.3%
2000–2009	0.6%
1990–1999	4.4%
1980–1989	8.2%
1970–1979	12.6%
1960–1969	2.5%
1950–1959	3.1%
1940–1949	9.4%
1939 or earlier	52.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	6.9%
2 bedrooms	10.7%
3 bedrooms	27.7%
4 bedrooms	23.9%
5+ bedrooms	30.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	8.2%
1 vehicle	18.9%
2 vehicles	39.3%
3 or more	33.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	28.7%
Electricity	29.5%
Propane / LP gas	41.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	86	70.5%
Cohabiting couple	9	7.4%
Male householder, no spouse	11	9.0%
Female householder, no spouse	16	13.1%
Households with children under 18	26	21.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	54	44.3%
Average household size	2.40

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	25.0%	10.5%
Married	74.1%	78.1%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	0.0%	2.6%
Divorced	0.9%	8.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.0%

Some HS, no diploma 0.9%

HS graduate 54.5%

Some college, no degree 14.2%

Associate's degree 8.5%

Bachelor's degree 17.1%

Graduate / professional 4.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	99.1%
Bachelor's or higher	21.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	2	3.6%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	29	51.8%
High school	13	23.2%
College / grad school	12	21.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Construction 19.5%

Education & healthcare 18.8%

Agriculture & mining 15.6%

Manufacturing 11.7%

Retail trade 10.2%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.8%

Other services 6.3%

Transportation & utilities 5.5%

Professional & management 2.3%

Information 0.8%

Finance & real estate 0.8%

Public administration 0.8%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	34.4%
Service	10.9%
Sales & office	21.1%
Natural resources & construction	21.1%
Production & transportation	12.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	79.7%
Government	8.6%
Self-employed	11.7%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	85.9%
Carpool	3.1%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	2.3%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	13.1

Poverty

All people 13.7%

Under 18 years 25.7%

18 and over 9.9%

Married-couple families 12.8%

Female-led households 100.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	41.0%
Retirement income	35.2%
Supplemental Security	3.3%
Cash public assistance	2.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	9.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.6%
High cholesterol	35.9%
Heart disease	7.5%
Stroke	3.3%
Asthma	8.9%
Arthritis	27.2%
Kidney disease	3.1%
Pulmonary disease	7.1%
Cancer	8.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	20.9%
No physical activity	22.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.2%
Fair or poor health	12.3%
Poor mental health	12.4%
Poor physical health	9.7%
No health insurance	8.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.0%
Visited dentist	69.2%
Cholesterol screening	90.5%
Teeth loss	11.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	35	15.7%

Disability	%
Any disability	9.9%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	8.2%
65 and over	25.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	52.2%
Public insurance	50.5%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	266	90.8%
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)	293	100.0%
Born in same state	293	100.0%
Born in different state	214	73.0%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	0	0.0%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	83	28.3%
Italian	52	17.7%
English	29	9.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	3	1%
Dutch	2	0.7%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.6%
Internet access	94.3%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Meriden, IA?

Meriden, IA has one ZIP code: 51037.

What is the main ZIP code for Meriden, IA?

The primary ZIP code for Meriden, IA is 51037. The city uses area code 712 for phone service.

What county is Meriden, IA in?

Meriden is located in Cherokee County, Iowa.

How many ZIP codes are in Meriden, IA?

Meriden, IA has 1 ZIP code.

What is the ZIP code for downtown Meriden, Iowa?

Downtown Meriden is located in ZIP code 51037, which serves as the primary commercial and civic center of this small Cherokee County community.

If I'm mailing a letter to a residence in Meriden, Iowa, what ZIP code should I use?

All residential addresses in Meriden, Iowa use the ZIP code 51037, as it is the only ZIP code assigned to this municipality.