Paullina ZIP Code List — Obrien County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Paullina, Iowa and it is 51046. Area code: 712.

ZIP codes

93.26

sq mi land

0.06

sq mi water

712

area code

Paullina, IA ZIP code map

About Paullina, IA

Paullina is a charming city located in Iowa, known for its welcoming community and rural character. As a part of O'Brien County, it offers residents a peaceful lifestyle with a strong sense of tradition. This small town combines the warmth of small-town living with opportunities for local businesses and recreation.

Location & geography

Paullina covers a total land area of 93.26 square miles and includes a tiny water area of 0.06 square miles. The city is ideally situated, with nearby cities including Sheldon approximately 10 miles to the west, Primghar about 8 miles to the northwest, Sutherland roughly 9 miles to the south, and Hartley around 14 miles to the southeast. The terrain consists mostly of flatlands, characteristic of the region, which is ideal for agriculture.

Community & economy

The character of Paullina reflects a close-knit community that prides itself on friendliness and support. Predominantly agricultural, local industries contribute significantly to the economy, and farming plays a vital role in the daily lives of its residents. Community events throughout the year foster a strong spirit of togetherness and celebrate the town's rich heritage.

Transportation

Paullina is accessible via several routes, with U.S. Highway 10 serving as a key thoroughfare through the area. The nearest named airport is the Sioux Gateway Airport, which is roughly 45 miles away. Public transportation options are limited, reflecting the city's rural nature.

History

Paullina was founded in the late 19th century, originally established as a railroad town, which played a crucial role in its development. Agriculture quickly became a key industry, and it has remained a steadfast pillar of the local economy ever since. Over the years, Paullina has grown while preserving its historical charm and community values.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Paullina is that the town’s name is derived from the Native American word for 'young men.' Additionally, the city hosts a popular annual rodeo, which draws visitors from surrounding areas and showcases local agricultural traditions.

ZIP codes for Paullina, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
51046	Paullina	Obrien	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,432

Population

48.7

Median age

$74,327

Median household income

$42,360

Per capita income

$149,700

Median home value

$801

Median monthly rent

74.8%

Home ownership

4.6%

Poverty rate

5.3%

Unemployment

659

Housing units

22.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

153

45–54

138

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	265	18.5%
18 and over	1,167	81.5%
65 and over	285	19.9%
Median age	48.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 98.9%

Asian 0.7%

Black or African American 0.1%

Hispanic or Latino 0.1%

Two or more races 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	1,418	98.9%
Asian	10	0.7%
Black or African American	2	0.1%
Hispanic or Latino	2	0.1%
Two or more races	2	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 3.3%

$10k–$15k 3.3%

$15k–$25k 9.9%

$25k–$35k 3.0%

$35k–$50k 13.6%

$50k–$75k 17.5%

$75k–$100k 21.7%

$100k–$150k 19.3%

$150k–$200k 5.2%

$200k+ 3.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.3%
$10k–$15k	3.3%
$15k–$25k	9.9%
$25k–$35k	3.0%
$35k–$50k	13.6%
$50k–$75k	17.5%
$75k–$100k	21.7%
$100k–$150k	19.3%
$150k–$200k	5.2%
$200k+	3.3%
Median income	$74,327

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 11.5%

$50k–$100k 16.4%

$100k–$150k 22.2%

$150k–$200k 11.9%

$200k–$300k 16.4%

$300k–$500k 20.1%

$500k–$1M 1.5%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$149,700
Median rent / month	$801
Owner occupied	74.8%
Renter occupied	25.2%
Vacant	16.3%
Single-family detached	91.5%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	0.0%
Median rooms	6.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.14

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	3.0%
2000–2009	5.6%
1990–1999	10.5%
1980–1989	2.6%
1970–1979	8.6%
1960–1969	6.3%
1950–1959	13.7%
1940–1949	3.1%
1939 or earlier	46.5%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.1%
1 bedroom	4.7%
2 bedrooms	23.7%
3 bedrooms	29.9%
4 bedrooms	16.5%
5+ bedrooms	24.1%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.9%
1 vehicle	27.6%
2 vehicles	33.6%
3 or more	32.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	61.7%
Electricity	30.0%
Propane / LP gas	7.0%
No fuel used	1.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	333	47.6%
Cohabiting couple	33	4.7%
Male householder, no spouse	149	21.3%
Female householder, no spouse	184	26.3%
Households with children under 18	159	22.7%
Households with seniors (65+)	226	32.3%
Average household size	2.05

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	33.0%	12.0%
Married	51.5%	56.4%
Separated	0.8%	1.0%
Widowed	5.1%	15.9%
Divorced	9.7%	14.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.6%

Some HS, no diploma 3.4%

HS graduate 41.9%

Some college, no degree 15.3%

Associate's degree 13.2%

Bachelor's degree 16.9%

Graduate / professional 5.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	93.1%
Bachelor's or higher	22.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	23	8.2%
Kindergarten	7	2.5%
Elementary school	121	43.4%
High school	96	34.4%
College / grad school	32	11.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 36.9%

Agriculture & mining 16.4%

Manufacturing 12.5%

Finance & real estate 6.8%

Transportation & utilities 6.2%

Construction 5.1%

Wholesale trade 3.2%

Professional & management 3.1%

Retail trade 3.0%

Other services 2.7%

Information 1.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 1.8%

Public administration 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	40.5%
Service	12.9%
Sales & office	18.4%
Natural resources & construction	11.6%
Production & transportation	16.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	73.0%
Government	14.4%
Self-employed	12.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	85.2%
Carpool	5.1%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.3%
Other means	1.7%
Avg commute (minutes)	17.8

Poverty

All people 4.6%

Under 18 years 3.6%

18 and over 4.8%

Married-couple families 1.8%

Female-led households 31.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	35.2%
Retirement income	21.0%
Supplemental Security	5.2%
Cash public assistance	1.9%
Food stamps / SNAP	11.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.6%
High cholesterol	35.6%
Heart disease	8.3%
Stroke	3.7%
Asthma	9.0%
Arthritis	29.1%
Kidney disease	3.5%
Pulmonary disease	8.0%
Cancer	9.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	19.3%
No physical activity	28.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	28.9%
Fair or poor health	13.9%
Poor mental health	12.5%
Poor physical health	10.5%
No health insurance	9.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.3%
Visited dentist	67.3%
Cholesterol screening	90.3%
Teeth loss	13.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	66	5.7%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.4%
Under 18	0.8%
18–64 years	13.8%
65 and over	28.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	76.1%
Public insurance	34.7%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,410	98.5%
Spanish	4	0.3%
Other Indo-European	4	0.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,410	98.5%
Born in same state	1,410	98.5%
Born in different state	1,221	85.3%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	22	1.5%
Not a US citizen	22	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
English	176	12.3%
French	99	6.9%
Arab	74	5.2%
Polish	49	3.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	42	2.9%
Dutch	29	2%
Norwegian	16	1.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	48.8%
Internet access	88.8%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Paullina, IA?

Paullina, IA has one ZIP code: 51046.

What is the main ZIP code for Paullina, IA?

The primary ZIP code for Paullina, IA is 51046. The city uses area code 712 for phone service.

What county is Paullina, IA in?

Paullina is located in Obrien County, Iowa.

How many ZIP codes are in Paullina, IA?

Paullina, IA has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code should I use when mailing packages to businesses in downtown Paullina?

All addresses in downtown Paullina, including the main commercial district along Main Street, use ZIP code 51046.

Is there a separate ZIP code for the residential areas of Paullina, or do all neighborhoods use the same ZIP code?

All residential neighborhoods throughout Paullina use the single ZIP code 51046, as the entire city is served by one ZIP code.