Portsmouth ZIP Codes — Shelby County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Portsmouth, Iowa and it is 51565. Area code: 712.
1
ZIP codes
45.66
sq mi land
0.01
sq mi water
712
area code
Portsmouth, IA ZIP code map

About Portsmouth, IA

Portsmouth is a charming city located in Iowa known for its serene landscapes and close-knit community. Situated in Shelby County, it offers a blend of rural beauty and friendly neighborliness. With its small-town feel, Portsmouth has something unique to offer to both residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Portsmouth, Iowa, is located in the western part of the state, primarily surrounded by agricultural land. It is situated approximately 10 miles southwest of Harlan and roughly 25 miles from the Missouri border, making it a quaint retreat in the region. The city spans a total land area of 45.66 square miles with a negligible water area of 0.01 square miles.

Community & economy

The character of Portsmouth is deeply rooted in its agricultural heritage, with many residents engaged in farming and related industries. The community is known for its vibrant local events and friendly atmosphere, often coming together for festivals and gatherings that celebrate their traditions. Daily life in Portsmouth embodies the spirit of small-town Iowa, with a strong emphasis on community values and support among neighbors.

Transportation

Portsmouth is easily accessible via Highway 44, which provides a direct route to nearby towns and cities. The nearest airport is the Harlan Municipal Airport, approximately 10 miles away, offering limited services for regional travel. Public transportation options are minimal, so residents typically rely on personal vehicles for their commuting needs.

History

Portsmouth was established in the late 19th century, primarily as an agricultural hub for the surrounding area. Key industries have historically revolved around farming, which continues to be vital to the local economy. Over the years, Portsmouth has seen various community developments and events that celebrate its rich pioneer history.

Did you know?

A lesser-known fact about Portsmouth is that it hosts local events that highlight traditional Iowa cultures, such as harvest festivals featuring local produce. Additionally, the city's rural charm and slow-paced lifestyle attract visitors looking for an escape from urban life.

ZIP codes for Portsmouth, IA (1)
ZIP code City County Map
51565 Portsmouth Shelby View map

Demographics & statistics

530
Population
48.8
Median age
$95,308
Median household income
$36,948
Per capita income
$121,800
Median home value
$764
Median monthly rent
62.0%
Home ownership
8.1%
Poverty rate
0.0%
Unemployment
158
Housing units
12.0%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
25
Under 5
33
17
5–9
23
8
10–14
12
1
15–19
1
1
20–24
2
39
25–34
53
15
35–44
20
20
45–54
28
16
55–59
22
16
60–64
21
54
65–74
73
4
75–84
6
8
85+
12
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1812022.6%
18 and over41077.4%
65 and over15729.6%
Median age48.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 94.7%
Two or more races 2.9%
Hispanic or Latino 2.4%
GroupCount%
White51494.7%
Two or more races162.9%
Hispanic or Latino132.4%

Household income

Under $10k 1.2%
$10k–$15k 2.5%
$15k–$25k 9.1%
$25k–$35k 0.4%
$35k–$50k 12.8%
$50k–$75k 5.0%
$75k–$100k 45.5%
$100k–$150k 16.9%
$150k–$200k 2.5%
$200k+ 4.1%
Range% of households
Under $10k1.2%
$10k–$15k2.5%
$15k–$25k9.1%
$25k–$35k0.4%
$35k–$50k12.8%
$50k–$75k5.0%
$75k–$100k45.5%
$100k–$150k16.9%
$150k–$200k2.5%
$200k+4.1%
Median income$95,308

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 3.3%
$50k–$100k 10.7%
$100k–$150k 44.7%
$150k–$200k 31.3%
$200k–$300k 8.0%
$300k–$500k 1.3%
$500k–$1M 0.7%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$121,800
Median rent / month$764
Owner occupied62.0%
Renter occupied38.0%
Vacant3.2%
Single-family detached98.4%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes0.4%
Median rooms7.0
Avg household size (owned)2.59

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20190.0%
2000–20095.6%
1990–19991.6%
1980–19891.2%
1970–19793.2%
1960–19699.2%
1950–195912.4%
1940–19490.8%
1939 or earlier66.0%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.8%
1 bedroom4.8%
2 bedrooms8.8%
3 bedrooms58.8%
4 bedrooms21.2%
5+ bedrooms5.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle1.7%
1 vehicle12.0%
2 vehicles60.3%
3 or more26.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas24.4%
Electricity22.7%
Propane / LP gas52.9%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family18777.3%
Cohabiting couple145.8%
Male householder, no spouse239.5%
Female householder, no spouse187.4%
Households with children under 185422.3%
Households with seniors (65+)11949.2%
Average household size2.19

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married11.5%10.5%
Married79.7%82.3%
Separated0.0%0.0%
Widowed2.6%1.8%
Divorced6.3%5.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.0%
Some HS, no diploma 4.7%
HS graduate 48.2%
Some college, no degree 18.2%
Associate's degree 16.0%
Bachelor's degree 11.5%
Graduate / professional 0.5%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher94.3%
Bachelor's or higher12.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool68.3%
Kindergarten1926.4%
Elementary school4156.9%
High school22.8%
College / grad school45.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Transportation & utilities 23.7%
Education & healthcare 17.7%
Other services 14.0%
Construction 10.7%
Agriculture & mining 10.3%
Finance & real estate 8.3%
Retail trade 5.7%
Arts, food & hospitality 3.0%
Manufacturing 2.7%
Public administration 2.0%
Wholesale trade 1.0%
Professional & management 0.7%
Information 0.3%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts34.3%
Service6.0%
Sales & office40.7%
Natural resources & construction11.7%
Production & transportation7.3%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector60.7%
Government34.0%
Self-employed5.3%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone73.7%
Carpool11.3%
Public transit0.0%
Walk4.7%
Other means1.3%
Avg commute (minutes)24.5

Poverty

All people 8.1%
Under 18 years 0.0%
18 and over 10.5%
Married-couple families 9.6%
Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security55.0%
Retirement income7.4%
Supplemental Security0.4%
Cash public assistance1.2%
Food stamps / SNAP1.2%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure39.2%
High cholesterol37.3%
Heart disease8.3%
Stroke3.7%
Asthma9.0%
Arthritis29.2%
Kidney disease3.4%
Pulmonary disease8.0%
Cancer8.5%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking20.0%
No physical activity25.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep30.3%
Fair or poor health13.8%
Poor mental health12.2%
Poor physical health10.6%
No health insurance8.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)76.4%
Visited dentist69.7%
Cholesterol screening90.9%
Teeth loss13.4%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans5112.4%
Disability%
Any disability24.5%
Under 181.7%
18–64 years19.8%
65 and over49.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance64.3%
Public insurance48.9%
Uninsured under 191.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only47289.1%
Spanish00.0%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)530100.0%
Born in same state530100.0%
Born in different state33663.4%
Foreign born00.0%
Naturalized citizen00.0%
Not a US citizen00.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Italian11221.1%
Dutch7013.2%
French214%
AncestryCount%
Irish112.1%
Arab112.1%
Polish81.5%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access45.7%
Internet access94.2%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Portsmouth, IA have?
Portsmouth, IA has one ZIP code: 51565. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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