Peterson ZIP Codes — Clay County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Peterson, Iowa and it is 51047. Area code: 712.

ZIP codes

76.60

sq mi land

0.23

sq mi water

712

area code

Peterson, IA ZIP code map

About Peterson, IA

Peterson is a picturesque city located in Clay County, Iowa. Known for its friendly community and serene landscapes, it offers a quaint and peaceful environment for residents and visitors alike. The city serves as a cozy hub for those who appreciate the beauty of rural Iowa living.

Location & geography

Nestled within Clay County, Peterson is situated in northwestern Iowa, surrounded by charming countryside. Nearby cities include Spencer, located approximately 15 miles to the north, and Estherville, about 22 miles to the northeast. The overall land area of Peterson spans 76.60 square miles, with a tiny water area of 0.23 square miles, providing a mix of rolling terrain and open space.

Community & economy

Peterson is characterized by its tight-knit community where neighbors often become friends. The local economy benefits primarily from agriculture and small-scale industries, which reflect the area's rural heritage. Daily life in Peterson is enriched by community events and gatherings that highlight the strong sense of camaraderie among residents.

Transportation

Transportation in and around Peterson is facilitated by several highways, including Highway 3, which connects the city to larger urban centers. The nearest named airport is Spencer Municipal Airport, located about 15 miles north, offering convenient air travel options for residents. Public transit options are limited, given the city’s rural nature, but residents rely on personal vehicles for transportation.

History

Peterson was founded in the mid-19th century and has since evolved while maintaining its small-town charm. Key industries have traditionally revolved around agriculture, which remains a central part of the local economy. Notable events in Peterson's history include local fairs and festivals that foster community pride and engagement.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Peterson, Iowa, is its picturesque landscapes that attract photographers and nature enthusiasts. The city is also home to several historical landmarks that showcase its rich heritage.

ZIP codes for Peterson, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
51047	Peterson	Clay	View map

Demographics & statistics

690

Population

47.8

Median age

$85,417

Median household income

$54,760

Per capita income

$119,600

Median home value

$625

Median monthly rent

90.7%

Home ownership

3.6%

Poverty rate

1.4%

Unemployment

336

Housing units

23.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

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	135	19.6%
18 and over	555	80.4%
65 and over	126	18.3%
Median age	47.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 87%

Hispanic or Latino 5.5%

Other race 3.8%

Two or more races 2.9%

Black or African American 0.4%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.4%

Group	Count	%
White	635	87%
Hispanic or Latino	40	5.5%
Other race	28	3.8%
Two or more races	21	2.9%
Black or African American	3	0.4%
American Indian / Alaska Native	3	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 2.0%

$10k–$15k 0.7%

$15k–$25k 5.3%

$25k–$35k 4.3%

$35k–$50k 10.3%

$50k–$75k 15.3%

$75k–$100k 20.7%

$100k–$150k 16.3%

$150k–$200k 8.0%

$200k+ 17.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.0%
$10k–$15k	0.7%
$15k–$25k	5.3%
$25k–$35k	4.3%
$35k–$50k	10.3%
$50k–$75k	15.3%
$75k–$100k	20.7%
$100k–$150k	16.3%
$150k–$200k	8.0%
$200k+	17.0%
Median income	$85,417

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 12.1%

$50k–$100k 24.6%

$100k–$150k 23.2%

$150k–$200k 24.6%

$200k–$300k 8.1%

$300k–$500k 5.5%

$500k–$1M 1.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$119,600
Median rent / month	$625
Owner occupied	90.7%
Renter occupied	9.3%
Vacant	17.6%
Single-family detached	94.5%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	1.6%
Median rooms	6.7
Avg household size (owned)	2.18

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	2.2%
2000–2009	3.3%
1990–1999	7.4%
1980–1989	4.7%
1970–1979	6.6%
1960–1969	8.8%
1950–1959	4.9%
1940–1949	4.4%
1939 or earlier	57.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	10.4%
2 bedrooms	17.6%
3 bedrooms	46.7%
4 bedrooms	19.0%
5+ bedrooms	6.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.7%
1 vehicle	21.7%
2 vehicles	23.0%
3 or more	54.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	40.3%
Electricity	19.0%
Propane / LP gas	26.0%
Wood	14.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	187	62.3%
Cohabiting couple	10	3.3%
Male householder, no spouse	62	20.7%
Female householder, no spouse	41	13.7%
Households with children under 18	37	12.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	105	35.0%
Average household size	2.25

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	23.9%	21.9%
Married	65.2%	65.4%
Separated	1.7%	0.0%
Widowed	0.0%	9.9%
Divorced	9.2%	2.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.0%

Some HS, no diploma 1.9%

HS graduate 26.3%

Some college, no degree 21.1%

Associate's degree 25.9%

Bachelor's degree 15.5%

Graduate / professional 8.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	97.1%
Bachelor's or higher	23.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	13	8.2%
Kindergarten	2	1.3%
Elementary school	50	31.4%
High school	57	35.8%
College / grad school	37	23.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 19.5%

Agriculture & mining 16.5%

Construction 14.2%

Manufacturing 8.9%

Retail trade 7.8%

Finance & real estate 6.2%

Wholesale trade 5.9%

Professional & management 5.9%

Transportation & utilities 4.3%

Other services 4.1%

Public administration 2.7%

Information 2.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 1.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	36.2%
Service	8.5%
Sales & office	24.0%
Natural resources & construction	20.6%
Production & transportation	10.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	68.4%
Government	16.0%
Self-employed	15.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	69.4%
Carpool	4.2%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	5.3%
Other means	0.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	26.4

Poverty

All people 3.6%

Under 18 years 0.0%

18 and over 4.3%

Married-couple families 0.0%

Female-led households 20.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	37.7%
Retirement income	21.7%
Supplemental Security	3.7%
Cash public assistance	1.7%
Food stamps / SNAP	4.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	38.1%
High cholesterol	37.4%
Heart disease	8.4%
Stroke	3.8%
Asthma	9.3%
Arthritis	30.5%
Kidney disease	3.5%
Pulmonary disease	8.3%
Cancer	8.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	19.0%
No physical activity	26.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.7%
Fair or poor health	14.7%
Poor mental health	12.7%
Poor physical health	11.0%
No health insurance	8.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.3%
Visited dentist	66.3%
Cholesterol screening	91.1%
Teeth loss	13.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	64	11.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	12.9%
Under 18	11.8%
18–64 years	7.0%
65 and over	34.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	84.3%
Public insurance	33.4%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	641	92.9%
Spanish	7	1.1%
Other Indo-European	7	1.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	672	97.4%
Born in same state	668	96.8%
Born in different state	491	71.2%
Foreign born	4	0.6%
Naturalized citizen	18	2.6%
Not a US citizen	15	83.3%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	78	11.3%
French	62	9%
Polish	50	7.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	28	4.1%
Arab	18	2.6%
English	6	0.9%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	43.5%
Internet access	93.0%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Peterson, IA have?

Peterson, IA has one ZIP code: 51047. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.