Northwood ZIP Codes — Worth County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Northwood, Iowa and it is 50459. Area code: 641.

ZIP codes

142.80

sq mi land

0.81

sq mi water

641

area code

Northwood, IA ZIP code map

About Northwood, IA

Northwood is a charming city located in Worth County, Iowa. Known for its warm community spirit, Northwood offers residents and visitors a glimpse into small-town life enriched with local culture. The city is characterized by its friendly atmosphere and dedication to preserving its history and values.

Location & geography

Northwood is strategically located in north-central Iowa, making it accessible to nearby cities. It is approximately 16 miles from the city of Mason City and about 8 miles from Kensett, while Albert Lea, Minnesota, is roughly 20 miles to the north. The city spans a land area of 142.80 square miles, with a small water area of 0.81 square miles, highlighting its predominantly rural landscape.

Community & economy

The community of Northwood is known for its tight-knit feel, where residents often come together for local events and activities. The economy is primarily driven by agriculture and small businesses, creating a mix of industries that support the livelihoods of its residents. Daily life in Northwood is marked by a strong sense of community, with various local establishments where friends gather and families thrive.

Transportation

Northwood is located near Interstate 35, which provides convenient access for travelers and goods transport. The nearest commercial airport is in Mason City, Iowa, approximately 16 miles south, while the area is also serviced by local highways for easy transit. Local transportation options may be limited, emphasizing the importance of personal vehicles for commuting.

History

Northwood was established in 1857, reflecting the area's rich history tied to the expansion of railroads in Iowa. Initially, the city thrived on agriculture and trade, which has continued to be a significant part of its identity. Notable events in the city's history include its incorporation and the development of local infrastructure that supported its growth.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Northwood is that it is home to the annual Worth County Fair, which attracts visitors from various regions to celebrate local culture. The city also has a rich heritage tied to the Native American tribes that once inhabited the area, adding to its historical significance.

ZIP codes for Northwood, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
50459	Northwood	Worth	View map

Demographics & statistics

3,046

Population

43.0

Median age

$72,708

Median household income

$35,764

Per capita income

$145,400

Median home value

$675

Median monthly rent

81.6%

Home ownership

5.9%

Poverty rate

3.9%

Unemployment

1,120

Housing units

20.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

123

Under 5

114

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

184

25–34

171

182

35–44

170

208

45–54

193

132

55–59

123

60–64

207

65–74

193

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	629	20.7%
18 and over	2,417	79.3%
65 and over	678	22.3%
Median age	43.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 94.5%

Two or more races 2.1%

Hispanic or Latino 1.6%

Asian 0.7%

Black or African American 0.6%

Other race 0.4%

Group	Count	%
White	2,925	94.5%
Two or more races	66	2.1%
Hispanic or Latino	49	1.6%
Asian	22	0.7%
Black or African American	20	0.6%
Other race	12	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 2.5%

$10k–$15k 4.3%

$15k–$25k 7.1%

$25k–$35k 7.0%

$35k–$50k 15.5%

$50k–$75k 16.3%

$75k–$100k 13.5%

$100k–$150k 17.8%

$150k–$200k 9.7%

$200k+ 6.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.5%
$10k–$15k	4.3%
$15k–$25k	7.1%
$25k–$35k	7.0%
$35k–$50k	15.5%
$50k–$75k	16.3%
$75k–$100k	13.5%
$100k–$150k	17.8%
$150k–$200k	9.7%
$200k+	6.4%
Median income	$72,708

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 3.8%

$50k–$100k 23.1%

$100k–$150k 25.1%

$150k–$200k 20.4%

$200k–$300k 17.5%

$300k–$500k 6.2%

$500k–$1M 3.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$145,400
Median rent / month	$675
Owner occupied	81.6%
Renter occupied	18.4%
Vacant	7.9%
Single-family detached	89.5%
Large apartment buildings	1.6%
Mobile homes	0.3%
Median rooms	6.8
Avg household size (owned)	2.52

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.6%
2010–2019	5.2%
2000–2009	3.9%
1990–1999	5.9%
1980–1989	6.2%
1970–1979	9.7%
1960–1969	7.9%
1950–1959	7.0%
1940–1949	6.8%
1939 or earlier	46.9%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.2%
1 bedroom	7.3%
2 bedrooms	17.3%
3 bedrooms	47.5%
4 bedrooms	20.9%
5+ bedrooms	4.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	7.0%
1 vehicle	23.1%
2 vehicles	26.9%
3 or more	43.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	56.3%
Electricity	14.2%
Propane / LP gas	25.8%
Wood	3.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	742	59.7%
Cohabiting couple	70	5.6%
Male householder, no spouse	199	16.0%
Female householder, no spouse	231	18.6%
Households with children under 18	391	31.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	484	39.0%
Average household size	2.42

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	28.4%	17.8%
Married	59.1%	60.7%
Separated	1.0%	0.0%
Widowed	6.6%	12.5%
Divorced	4.9%	8.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.9%

Some HS, no diploma 5.1%

HS graduate 37.1%

Some college, no degree 21.5%

Associate's degree 14.1%

Bachelor's degree 12.4%

Graduate / professional 8.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	93.0%
Bachelor's or higher	20.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	70	12.5%
Kindergarten	35	6.3%
Elementary school	213	38.1%
High school	126	22.5%
College / grad school	115	20.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 26.2%

Education & healthcare 21.4%

Retail trade 7.8%

Construction 7.0%

Other services 6.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 6.1%

Finance & real estate 6.0%

Agriculture & mining 5.7%

Transportation & utilities 4.2%

Professional & management 3.5%

Information 2.9%

Public administration 2.0%

Wholesale trade 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	33.1%
Service	17.1%
Sales & office	18.6%
Natural resources & construction	8.7%
Production & transportation	22.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	77.2%
Government	11.5%
Self-employed	11.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	79.5%
Carpool	9.0%
Public transit	0.4%
Walk	0.9%
Other means	2.4%
Avg commute (minutes)	20.4

Poverty

All people 5.9%

Under 18 years 7.3%

18 and over 5.6%

Married-couple families 2.2%

Female-led households 4.2%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	42.3%
Retirement income	24.5%
Supplemental Security	3.9%
Cash public assistance	0.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	6.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	35.6%
High cholesterol	34.1%
Heart disease	7.6%
Stroke	3.4%
Asthma	9.2%
Arthritis	27.6%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	7.4%
Cancer	8.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	20.5%
No physical activity	25.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.3%
Fair or poor health	13.3%
Poor mental health	12.8%
Poor physical health	10.1%
No health insurance	9.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.0%
Visited dentist	69.5%
Cholesterol screening	89.6%
Teeth loss	13.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	281	11.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.8%
Under 18	10.4%
18–64 years	9.3%
65 and over	34.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	73.8%
Public insurance	36.9%
Uninsured under 19	13.2%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,809	92.2%
Spanish	16	0.6%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	12	0.4%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	3,022	99.2%
Born in same state	3,013	98.9%
Born in different state	1,485	48.8%
Foreign born	9	0.3%
Naturalized citizen	24	0.8%
Not a US citizen	4	16.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	954	31.3%
Italian	201	6.6%
French	145	4.8%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	71	2.3%
Arab	60	2%
English	26	0.9%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.8%
Internet access	87.0%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Northwood, IA have?

Northwood, IA has one ZIP code: 50459. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.