Ottumwa ZIP Codes — Wapello County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Ottumwa, Iowa and it is 52501. Area code: 641.

ZIP codes

225.34

sq mi land

2.64

sq mi water

641

area code

Ottumwa, IA ZIP code map

About Ottumwa, IA

Ottumwa, Iowa, is a vibrant city located in Wapello County, known for its rich history and community spirit. It serves as the county seat and is a hub for commerce and culture in the region. With its blend of historical charm and modern amenities, Ottumwa is a great place to live, work, and explore.

Location & geography

Ottumwa is situated in the southeastern part of Iowa, offering picturesque views and a diverse landscape. It is surrounded by several cities, including Albia, which is approximately 15 miles to the northwest, and Oskaloosa, about 25 miles to the north. The city covers a land area of 225.34 square miles and has a water area of 2.64 square miles, making it a spacious community with access to various water resources.

Community & economy

The character of Ottumwa is defined by its friendly residents and a strong sense of community pride. The city is home to various industries, including manufacturing and healthcare, which play a vital role in the local economy. Everyday life in Ottumwa is marked by community events, parks, and recreational activities that cater to residents of all ages.

Transportation

Ottumwa is accessed by several major highways, including U.S. Route 63 and Iowa Highway 149, providing convenient travel options for residents and visitors. The city is served by the Ottumwa Regional Airport, which offers commercial flights to various destinations. Public transit options are also available, ensuring connectivity within the city and its surroundings.

History

Founded in the mid-19th century, Ottumwa has a storied history tied to the growth of the railway and agricultural industries in Iowa. Over the years, the city has developed a reputation for its vibrant arts scene and was once dubbed the 'Video Game Capital of the World' due to the presence of several major game developers. Key events in its history include the establishment of educational institutions and the annual events that celebrate its cultural heritage.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Ottumwa is that it was named after a Native American word meaning 'to trade.' Additionally, the city is home to the annual Ottumwa Air Show, which attracts aviation enthusiasts and families alike from across the region.

ZIP codes for Ottumwa, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
52501	Ottumwa	Wapello	View map

Demographics & statistics

30,535

Population

38.5

Median age

$55,801

Median household income

$30,072

Per capita income

$101,100

Median home value

$919

Median monthly rent

63.5%

Home ownership

18.2%

Poverty rate

4.4%

Unemployment

9,110

Housing units

19.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

997

Under 5

977

878

5–9

860

1,102

10–14

1,081

1,060

15–19

1,039

889

20–24

872

2,132

25–34

2,090

1,738

35–44

1,703

1,981

45–54

1,942

766

55–59

750

1,252

60–64

1,227

1,514

65–74

1,485

700

75–84

687

411

85+

402

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	7,174	23.5%
18 and over	23,361	76.5%
65 and over	5,199	17.0%
Median age	38.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 79.2%

Hispanic or Latino 5.7%

Two or more races 5.1%

Black or African American 3.5%

Other race 3%

Asian 1.6%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 1.6%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	25,650	79.2%
Hispanic or Latino	1,859	5.7%
Two or more races	1,647	5.1%
Black or African American	1,128	3.5%
Other race	976	3%
Asian	527	1.6%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	519	1.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	88	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 6.7%

$10k–$15k 5.4%

$15k–$25k 11.2%

$25k–$35k 7.6%

$35k–$50k 13.4%

$50k–$75k 19.1%

$75k–$100k 12.1%

$100k–$150k 14.2%

$150k–$200k 7.5%

$200k+ 2.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.7%
$10k–$15k	5.4%
$15k–$25k	11.2%
$25k–$35k	7.6%
$35k–$50k	13.4%
$50k–$75k	19.1%
$75k–$100k	12.1%
$100k–$150k	14.2%
$150k–$200k	7.5%
$200k+	2.8%
Median income	$55,801

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 15.3%

$50k–$100k 34.3%

$100k–$150k 16.9%

$150k–$200k 12.0%

$200k–$300k 12.7%

$300k–$500k 6.3%

$500k–$1M 2.1%

$1M+ 0.5%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$101,100
Median rent / month	$919
Owner occupied	63.5%
Renter occupied	36.5%
Vacant	10.1%
Single-family detached	78.1%
Large apartment buildings	4.0%
Mobile homes	3.8%
Median rooms	5.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.53

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	0.6%
2000–2009	5.1%
1990–1999	6.4%
1980–1989	6.8%
1970–1979	14.1%
1960–1969	9.5%
1950–1959	17.5%
1940–1949	10.8%
1939 or earlier	29.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.8%
1 bedroom	10.3%
2 bedrooms	36.9%
3 bedrooms	36.2%
4 bedrooms	10.6%
5+ bedrooms	3.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	7.4%
1 vehicle	31.9%
2 vehicles	36.0%
3 or more	24.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	68.0%
Electricity	20.5%
Propane / LP gas	7.9%
Wood	1.6%
No fuel used	1.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	5,502	45.1%
Cohabiting couple	915	7.5%
Male householder, no spouse	2,538	20.8%
Female householder, no spouse	3,247	26.6%
Households with children under 18	4,078	33.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	3,959	32.4%
Average household size	2.44

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	37.9%	27.5%
Married	47.1%	47.3%
Separated	1.3%	1.5%
Widowed	4.1%	9.2%
Divorced	9.5%	14.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.4%

Some HS, no diploma 7.6%

HS graduate 36.7%

Some college, no degree 19.3%

Associate's degree 11.7%

Bachelor's degree 11.7%

Graduate / professional 7.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	87.0%
Bachelor's or higher	19.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	559	7.9%
Kindergarten	308	4.4%
Elementary school	3,010	42.8%
High school	1,639	23.3%
College / grad school	1,518	21.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 25.9%

Education & healthcare 22.2%

Retail trade 14.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 6.5%

Transportation & utilities 5.5%

Construction 5.3%

Finance & real estate 4.6%

Professional & management 4.4%

Other services 3.9%

Agriculture & mining 2.2%

Public administration 2.2%

Wholesale trade 2.1%

Information 1.0%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	27.5%
Service	15.0%
Sales & office	18.9%
Natural resources & construction	10.0%
Production & transportation	28.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	82.6%
Government	13.1%
Self-employed	4.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	80.7%
Carpool	11.8%
Public transit	0.8%
Walk	1.6%
Other means	1.1%
Avg commute (minutes)	18.8

Poverty

All people 18.2%

Under 18 years 24.9%

18 and over 16.1%

Married-couple families 6.1%

Female-led households 32.9%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	34.5%
Retirement income	22.2%
Supplemental Security	6.8%
Cash public assistance	3.9%
Food stamps / SNAP	18.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	32.7%
High cholesterol	33.8%
Heart disease	7.4%
Stroke	3.5%
Asthma	9.8%
Arthritis	25.9%
Kidney disease	3.3%
Pulmonary disease	8.1%
Cancer	7.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	20.4%
No physical activity	27.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.8%
Fair or poor health	16.3%
Poor mental health	14.5%
Poor physical health	11.3%
No health insurance	12.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	73.8%
Visited dentist	62.2%
Cholesterol screening	86.2%
Teeth loss	16.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,558	6.7%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.4%
Under 18	3.2%
18–64 years	12.5%
65 and over	43.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	64.5%
Public insurance	43.6%
Uninsured under 19	4.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	28,561	93.5%
Spanish	1,847	6.5%
Other Indo-European	1,109	3.9%
Asian & Pacific Islander	139	0.5%
Other languages	357	1.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	27,567	90.3%
Born in same state	27,469	90.0%
Born in different state	22,161	72.6%
Foreign born	98	0.3%
Naturalized citizen	2,968	9.7%
Not a US citizen	1,236	41.6%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	3,597	11.8%
Italian	2,989	9.8%
Arab	1,918	6.3%
English	1,132	3.7%
Polish	323	1.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	126	0.4%
German	90	0.3%
Irish	24	0.1%
Norwegian	8	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.0%
Internet access	90.7%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Ottumwa, IA have?

Ottumwa, IA has one ZIP code: 52501. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.