Oto ZIP Codes — Woodbury County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Oto, Iowa and it is 51044. Area code: 712.

ZIP codes

33.68

sq mi land

0.06

sq mi water

712

area code

Oto, IA ZIP code map

About Oto, IA

Oto is a small city located in Woodbury County, Iowa. Known for its friendly atmosphere and rural charm, Oto offers a peaceful lifestyle for its residents. Surrounded by picturesque landscapes, the city embodies the essence of Midwestern living.

Location & geography

Oto is situated in the western part of Iowa, with nearby cities such as Sioux City located about 25 miles to the east, and Moville approximately 10 miles to the northeast. The city covers a total land area of 33.68 square miles, with a minimal water area of 0.06 square miles. The terrain consists mainly of flat land, typical for this region of Iowa, which is primarily agricultural.

Community & economy

The character of Oto reflects a tight-knit community, where residents enjoy a slow-paced lifestyle with a strong sense of belonging. Agriculture plays a significant role in the local economy, alongside small businesses that cater to the needs of the community. Daily life in Oto is characterized by friendly interactions among neighbors and various local events that foster community spirit.

Transportation

Oto is accessible via several roads, including local and county highways that connect to larger routes for regional travel. The city falls within the 712 telephone area code, which serves much of the northwest region of Iowa. The nearest primary airport is Sioux Gateway Airport in Sioux City, providing air travel options for residents and visitors.

History

Oto was founded in the late 19th century, with its development being heavily influenced by the agricultural potential of the surrounding land. The city has historically been a hub for farming, which remains a primary industry today. Over the years, Oto has hosted various community events that reflect its agricultural roots and foster a sense of local pride.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Oto is that it hosts a popular annual event that celebrates the local farming community. Additionally, the city’s unique name is derived from the Oto tribe, native to the area, highlighting its historical significance.

ZIP codes for Oto, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
51044	Oto	Woodbury	View map

Demographics & statistics

216

Population

72.7

Median age

$83,750

Median household income

$43,045

Per capita income

$83,300

Median home value

$542

Median monthly rent

87.4%

Home ownership

12.3%

Poverty rate

20.0%

Unemployment

108

Housing units

31.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

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	15	6.9%
18 and over	201	93.1%
65 and over	145	67.1%
Median age	72.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 99.1%

Two or more races 0.9%

Group	Count	%
White	214	99.1%
Two or more races	2	0.9%

Household income

Under $10k 23.2%

$15k–$25k 1.1%

$25k–$35k 4.2%

$50k–$75k 10.5%

$75k–$100k 46.3%

$100k–$150k 2.1%

$150k–$200k 5.3%

$200k+ 7.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	23.2%
$15k–$25k	1.1%
$25k–$35k	4.2%
$50k–$75k	10.5%
$75k–$100k	46.3%
$100k–$150k	2.1%
$150k–$200k	5.3%
$200k+	7.4%
Median income	$83,750

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 25.3%

$50k–$100k 50.6%

$100k–$150k 1.2%

$200k–$300k 15.7%

$300k–$500k 7.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$83,300
Median rent / month	$542
Owner occupied	87.4%
Renter occupied	12.6%
Vacant	20.8%
Single-family detached	96.7%
Large apartment buildings	2.5%
Mobile homes	0.8%
Median rooms	7.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.46

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	0.0%
2000–2009	7.5%
1990–1999	5.0%
1980–1989	5.8%
1970–1979	25.8%
1960–1969	2.5%
1950–1959	5.0%
1940–1949	14.2%
1939 or earlier	34.2%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	4.2%
1 bedroom	2.5%
2 bedrooms	10.0%
3 bedrooms	68.3%
4 bedrooms	12.5%
5+ bedrooms	2.5%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.2%
1 vehicle	18.9%
2 vehicles	50.5%
3 or more	26.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Electricity	28.4%
Propane / LP gas	38.9%
Fuel oil	32.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	61	64.2%
Cohabiting couple	0	0.0%
Male householder, no spouse	22	23.2%
Female householder, no spouse	12	12.6%
Households with children under 18	13	13.7%
Households with seniors (65+)	70	73.7%
Average household size	2.27

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	13.8%	10.4%
Married	64.9%	54.8%
Separated	1.1%	0.0%
Widowed	1.1%	29.6%
Divorced	19.1%	5.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.6%

Some HS, no diploma 6.8%

HS graduate 45.3%

Some college, no degree 10.9%

Associate's degree 2.1%

Bachelor's degree 25.5%

Graduate / professional 5.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	89.6%
Bachelor's or higher	31.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	7	26.9%
High school	8	30.8%
College / grad school	11	42.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Finance & real estate 30.6%

Manufacturing 13.9%

Retail trade 13.9%

Education & healthcare 13.9%

Transportation & utilities 8.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.3%

Agriculture & mining 5.6%

Wholesale trade 5.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	58.3%
Service	8.3%
Sales & office	25.0%
Natural resources & construction	5.6%
Production & transportation	2.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	83.3%
Government	13.9%
Self-employed	2.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	88.1%
Carpool	0.0%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	4.8%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	37.1

Poverty

All people 12.3%

Under 18 years 27.3%

18 and over 11.4%

Married-couple families 3.3%

Female-led households 25.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	61.1%
Retirement income	65.3%
Supplemental Security	3.2%
Cash public assistance	0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	15.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.5%
High cholesterol	38.0%
Heart disease	7.4%
Stroke	3.3%
Asthma	8.9%
Arthritis	27.8%
Kidney disease	3.1%
Pulmonary disease	7.4%
Cancer	8.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	19.0%
No physical activity	26.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.7%
Fair or poor health	13.2%
Poor mental health	12.7%
Poor physical health	10.1%
No health insurance	9.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	78.7%
Visited dentist	70.6%
Cholesterol screening	91.0%
Teeth loss	11.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	37	19.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	43.8%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	12.0%
65 and over	59.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	57.6%
Public insurance	75.7%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	216	100.0%
Spanish	4	1.9%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	4	1.9%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	175	81.0%
Born in same state	175	81.0%
Born in different state	131	60.6%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	41	19.0%
Not a US citizen	1	2.4%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	65	30.1%
Italian	57	26.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	3	1.4%
Polish	2	0.9%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	44.0%
Internet access	80.0%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Oto, IA have?

Oto, IA has one ZIP code: 51044. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.