Panama ZIP Codes — Shelby County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Panama, Iowa and it is 51562. Area code: 712.
1
ZIP codes
33.98
sq mi land
0.05
sq mi water
712
area code
Panama, IA ZIP code map

About Panama, IA

Panama, Iowa, is a small yet charming city located in Shelby County, offering a quaint rural lifestyle. Known for its welcoming community and beautiful landscapes, Panama provides a peaceful environment for its residents. With a variety of local events and close-knit gatherings, it encapsulates the spirit of small-town America.

Location & geography

Panama is situated in the western part of Iowa, approximately 16 miles northeast of Harlan and 25 miles south of Carroll. The city features a land area of 33.98 square miles, complemented by a tiny water area of 0.05 square miles. Its terrain is primarily rural, offering scenic views and agricultural landscapes that characterize much of Shelby County.

Community & economy

The community of Panama is marked by its friendly residents and a strong sense of togetherness. Predominantly an agricultural area, local industries play a significant role in daily life, fostering a connection to the land and farming culture. Residents enjoy a laid-back lifestyle, with community events that highlight their shared values and traditions.

Transportation

Panama is accessible via several routes, with Iowa Highway 83 being a primary thoroughfare connecting it to neighboring towns. For those traveling longer distances, the nearest significant airport is the Sioux City Gateway Airport, located about 60 miles away. The transportation options provide residents and visitors easy access to surrounding areas.

History

Founded in the late 19th century, Panama developed as a farming community, with agriculture forming the backbone of its economy from the outset. Over the years, the city has seen various developments while maintaining its rural charm, hosting community events that celebrate its heritage and local achievements. Key historical events include agricultural fairs and festivals that showcase local produce and crafts.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Panama, IA, is its strong focus on community-driven events, which fosters a sense of belonging among residents. Additionally, the city's picturesque landscapes make it a hidden gem for those seeking a quaint rural getaway.

ZIP codes for Panama, IA (1)
ZIP code City County Map
51562 Panama Shelby View map

Demographics & statistics

486
Population
46.5
Median age
$78,958
Median household income
$33,234
Per capita income
$167,800
Median home value
$0
Median monthly rent
92.5%
Home ownership
4.3%
Poverty rate
0.0%
Unemployment
184
Housing units
17.9%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
1
Under 5
3
6
5–9
10
27
10–14
47
15
15–19
26
8
20–24
13
7
25–34
11
23
35–44
39
44
45–54
77
6
55–59
10
3
60–64
5
26
65–74
46
6
75–84
10
6
85+
11
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1813527.8%
18 and over35172.2%
65 and over10521.6%
Median age46.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 96.7%
Hispanic or Latino 1.2%
Other race 1.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.4%
Two or more races 0.4%
GroupCount%
White47696.7%
Hispanic or Latino61.2%
Other race61.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native20.4%
Two or more races20.4%

Household income

Under $10k 6.5%
$10k–$15k 3.8%
$15k–$25k 2.7%
$25k–$35k 1.6%
$35k–$50k 13.4%
$50k–$75k 17.7%
$75k–$100k 10.2%
$100k–$150k 31.7%
$150k–$200k 1.6%
$200k+ 10.8%
Range% of households
Under $10k6.5%
$10k–$15k3.8%
$15k–$25k2.7%
$25k–$35k1.6%
$35k–$50k13.4%
$50k–$75k17.7%
$75k–$100k10.2%
$100k–$150k31.7%
$150k–$200k1.6%
$200k+10.8%
Median income$78,958

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.9%
$50k–$100k 19.2%
$100k–$150k 12.2%
$150k–$200k 36.0%
$200k–$300k 1.2%
$300k–$500k 9.9%
$500k–$1M 7.6%
$1M+ 11.0%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$167,800
Median rent / month$0
Owner occupied92.5%
Renter occupied7.5%
Vacant6.1%
Single-family detached92.4%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes0.0%
Median rooms7.3
Avg household size (owned)2.67

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20191.5%
2000–20092.0%
1990–199913.1%
1980–19893.0%
1970–197913.1%
1960–19692.5%
1950–19595.6%
1940–19493.0%
1939 or earlier56.1%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)1.0%
1 bedroom0.0%
2 bedrooms23.2%
3 bedrooms28.8%
4 bedrooms46.5%
5+ bedrooms0.5%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle2.2%
1 vehicle16.1%
2 vehicles17.7%
3 or more64.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas1.6%
Electricity43.0%
Propane / LP gas54.8%
Fuel oil0.5%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family14075.3%
Cohabiting couple52.7%
Male householder, no spouse158.1%
Female householder, no spouse2614.0%
Households with children under 188143.5%
Households with seniors (65+)6434.4%
Average household size2.61

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married13.0%23.8%
Married82.6%66.7%
Separated0.0%2.2%
Widowed0.6%6.5%
Divorced3.7%0.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.6%
Some HS, no diploma 1.5%
HS graduate 53.9%
Some college, no degree 8.5%
Associate's degree 14.5%
Bachelor's degree 16.1%
Graduate / professional 1.8%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher94.8%
Bachelor's or higher17.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool10.7%
Kindergarten00.0%
Elementary school8662.8%
High school4532.8%
College / grad school53.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Other services 24.2%
Agriculture & mining 23.8%
Education & healthcare 17.2%
Transportation & utilities 16.8%
Retail trade 4.8%
Finance & real estate 4.0%
Construction 2.2%
Manufacturing 2.2%
Wholesale trade 2.2%
Professional & management 1.5%
Information 1.1%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts41.8%
Service16.8%
Sales & office17.6%
Natural resources & construction10.3%
Production & transportation13.6%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector81.7%
Government5.9%
Self-employed11.4%
Unpaid family workers1.1%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone61.2%
Carpool0.4%
Public transit0.0%
Walk30.0%
Other means2.9%
Avg commute (minutes)12.2

Poverty

All people 4.3%
Under 18 years 0.0%
18 and over 6.0%
Married-couple families 2.9%
Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security29.0%
Retirement income8.6%
Supplemental Security6.5%
Cash public assistance0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP0.5%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure36.7%
High cholesterol36.2%
Heart disease7.4%
Stroke3.3%
Asthma9.3%
Arthritis27.1%
Kidney disease3.1%
Pulmonary disease7.5%
Cancer7.7%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking21.1%
No physical activity25.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep30.4%
Fair or poor health13.1%
Poor mental health13.0%
Poor physical health10.2%
No health insurance9.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)75.4%
Visited dentist69.7%
Cholesterol screening89.7%
Teeth loss13.1%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans267.4%
Disability%
Any disability8.4%
Under 185.9%
18–64 years6.9%
65 and over15.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance83.7%
Public insurance32.7%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only48299.2%
Spanish00.0%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)47697.9%
Born in same state47697.9%
Born in different state37477.0%
Foreign born00.0%
Naturalized citizen102.1%
Not a US citizen10100.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Italian9920.4%
Arab6313%
Dutch183.7%
AncestryCount%
French112.3%
Polish102.1%
English30.6%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access38.3%
Internet access90.3%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Panama, IA have?
Panama, IA has one ZIP code: 51562. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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