Palmer ZIP Codes — Pocahontas County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Palmer, Iowa and it is 50571. Area code: 712.

ZIP codes

47.28

sq mi land

0.00

sq mi water

712

area code

Palmer, IA ZIP code map

About Palmer, IA

Palmer, Iowa, is a quaint city located in Pocahontas County. This small community is known for its agricultural background and friendly atmosphere. With a single ZIP code, 50571, Palmer has maintained its rural charm while providing essential services to its residents.

Location & geography

Palmer is situated in the northwestern part of Iowa, surrounded by several charming neighboring towns. It lies approximately 15 miles northeast of the city of Pocahontas and about 10 miles southwest of the town of Laurens. Covering a land area of 47.28 square miles, Palmer has no water area, emphasizing its rural terrain that is predominantly agricultural.

Community & economy

The character of Palmer reflects a close-knit community where residents know each other and take pride in their town. Agriculture plays a significant role in the local economy, and many residents are engaged in farming and related industries. Daily life in Palmer is marked by a slow, relaxed pace, with community events and gatherings fostering connections among neighbors.

Transportation

Palmer is accessible via local roads and is situated near U.S. Highway 3, which provides connections to larger regional centers. The nearest airport is the Fort Dodge Regional Airport, located approximately 30 miles to the south. Public transportation options are limited due to the size of the community, but residents rely on personal vehicles for travel.

History

Palmer was founded in the late 19th century, during a period of growth in Pocahontas County. The town's development was closely tied to agriculture, as fertile lands attracted settlers and farmers. Over the years, it has remained a small but vibrant community, emphasizing agricultural heritage and local traditions.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Palmer is that it has managed to retain a strong community identity despite the changing demographics of rural America. Additionally, the town's annual events celebrate local culture and agricultural practices, drawing visitors from surrounding areas.

ZIP codes for Palmer, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
50571	Palmer	Pocahontas	View map

Demographics & statistics

254

Population

60.1

Median age

$67,625

Median household income

$59,381

Per capita income

$52,600

Median home value

Median monthly rent

92.4%

Home ownership

15.4%

Poverty rate

0.9%

Unemployment

167

Housing units

7.4%

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	31	12.2%
18 and over	223	87.8%
65 and over	100	39.4%
Median age	60.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 82.8%

Hispanic or Latino 7.3%

Other race 6.6%

Two or more races 3.3%

Group	Count	%
White	227	82.8%
Hispanic or Latino	20	7.3%
Other race	18	6.6%
Two or more races	9	3.3%

Household income

Under $10k 5.1%

$10k–$15k 7.0%

$15k–$25k 1.9%

$25k–$35k 5.1%

$35k–$50k 14.0%

$50k–$75k 24.2%

$75k–$100k 19.7%

$100k–$150k 19.1%

$150k–$200k 0.6%

$200k+ 3.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.1%
$10k–$15k	7.0%
$15k–$25k	1.9%
$25k–$35k	5.1%
$35k–$50k	14.0%
$50k–$75k	24.2%
$75k–$100k	19.7%
$100k–$150k	19.1%
$150k–$200k	0.6%
$200k+	3.2%
Median income	$67,625

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 42.1%

$50k–$100k 42.1%

$100k–$150k 4.1%

$150k–$200k 6.2%

$200k–$300k 2.1%

$300k–$500k 3.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$52,600
Median rent / month	$0
Owner occupied	92.4%
Renter occupied	7.6%
Vacant	12.3%
Single-family detached	91.6%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	0.0%
Median rooms	7.0
Avg household size (owned)	1.51

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	0.0%
2000–2009	2.8%
1990–1999	0.0%
1980–1989	0.6%
1970–1979	8.4%
1960–1969	10.6%
1950–1959	14.5%
1940–1949	10.1%
1939 or earlier	53.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	6.7%
2 bedrooms	16.8%
3 bedrooms	34.1%
4 bedrooms	41.3%
5+ bedrooms	1.1%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.5%
1 vehicle	47.1%
2 vehicles	14.0%
3 or more	34.4%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Electricity	36.3%
Propane / LP gas	51.6%
Fuel oil	7.6%
Wood	3.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	48	30.6%
Cohabiting couple	1	0.6%
Male householder, no spouse	51	32.5%
Female householder, no spouse	57	36.3%
Households with children under 18	13	8.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	86	54.8%
Average household size	1.62

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	26.8%	12.8%
Married	50.0%	43.6%
Separated	0.0%	1.7%
Widowed	4.5%	34.2%
Divorced	18.8%	7.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.5%

Some HS, no diploma 10.3%

HS graduate 46.6%

Some college, no degree 24.5%

Associate's degree 8.8%

Bachelor's degree 4.9%

Graduate / professional 2.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	87.3%
Bachelor's or higher	7.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	6	18.8%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	17	53.1%
High school	8	25.0%
College / grad school	1	3.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Transportation & utilities 31.6%

Education & healthcare 21.1%

Agriculture & mining 19.3%

Construction 5.3%

Retail trade 5.3%

Other services 5.3%

Wholesale trade 4.4%

Manufacturing 3.5%

Information 2.6%

Professional & management 0.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 0.9%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	22.8%
Service	8.8%
Sales & office	19.3%
Natural resources & construction	14.9%
Production & transportation	34.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	80.7%
Government	4.4%
Self-employed	14.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	77.2%
Carpool	10.5%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	3.5%
Other means	1.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	32.5

Poverty

All people 15.4%

Under 18 years 29.0%

18 and over 13.5%

Married-couple families 10.4%

Female-led households 20.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	36.9%
Retirement income	33.1%
Supplemental Security	0.6%
Cash public assistance	4.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	3.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.9%
High cholesterol	35.6%
Heart disease	7.9%
Stroke	3.4%
Asthma	8.9%
Arthritis	28.3%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	7.3%
Cancer	8.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	20.4%
No physical activity	25.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.8%
Fair or poor health	12.9%
Poor mental health	12.6%
Poor physical health	10.0%
No health insurance	9.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.1%
Visited dentist	66.8%
Cholesterol screening	89.6%
Teeth loss	12.5%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	12	5.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	27.6%
Under 18	22.6%
18–64 years	8.9%
65 and over	52.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	60.6%
Public insurance	58.7%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	254	100.0%
Spanish	4	1.6%
Other Indo-European	4	1.6%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	248	97.6%
Born in same state	246	96.9%
Born in different state	221	87.0%
Foreign born	2	0.8%
Naturalized citizen	6	2.4%
Not a US citizen	2	33.3%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	41	16.1%
Arab	30	11.8%
Dutch	11	4.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
French	4	1.6%
English	2	0.8%
Polish	2	0.8%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	61.8%
Internet access	84.1%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Palmer, IA have?

Palmer, IA has one ZIP code: 50571. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.