Primghar ZIP Codes — Obrien County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Primghar, Iowa and it is 51245. Area code: 712.
1
ZIP codes
77.36
sq mi land
0.00
sq mi water
712
area code
Primghar, IA ZIP code map

About Primghar, IA

Primghar is a small yet vibrant city located in northwest Iowa. It serves as the county seat of O'Brien County and is recognized for its friendly community and charming atmosphere. The city is a great representation of rural Iowa life, featuring local businesses and community events that engage residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Primghar is situated in O'Brien County and is surrounded by scenic farmland and open spaces. Nearby cities include Paullina, located about 10 miles to the southwest; Sheldon, approximately 12 miles to the east; and Sanborn, roughly 13 miles to the southeast. The city covers a land area of 77.36 square miles, with no water area, highlighting its extensive terrestrial landscape.

Community & economy

The community of Primghar is characterized by its strong agricultural roots and close-knit atmosphere. Local industries primarily revolve around farming and agribusiness, which play crucial roles in the economy. Daily life in Primghar often revolves around community gatherings, local festivals, and events that celebrate the town's heritage.

Transportation

Primghar is accessible via Iowa Highway 10, which runs east-west through the city and connects to other major roads in the region. The closest named airport is the Sioux Gateway Airport, located approximately 54 miles to the east in Sioux City. Public transportation options are limited, but local roads facilitate easy travel within and around the city.

History

Primghar was founded in the late 1800s and has served as an important center for trade and agriculture in O'Brien County. The city developed key industries centered around farming, grain storage, and livestock production, which continue to be vital to its economy today. Notable events in the city’s history include its growth during the agricultural boom and the establishment of community infrastructure that supports its residents.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Primghar is that it is home to the annual O'Brien County Fair, which draws visitors from surrounding areas and showcases local agricultural achievements. Additionally, Primghar has a unique small-town charm that includes public art pieces and well-maintained parks, adding to its community spirit.

ZIP codes for Primghar, IA (1)
ZIP code City County Map
51245 Primghar Obrien View map

Demographics & statistics

1,096
Population
40.9
Median age
$76,375
Median household income
$34,323
Per capita income
$115,400
Median home value
$757
Median monthly rent
81.8%
Home ownership
10.1%
Poverty rate
5.1%
Unemployment
428
Housing units
21.6%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
45
Under 5
39
51
5–9
45
14
10–14
13
31
15–19
27
34
20–24
29
77
25–34
67
53
35–44
46
48
45–54
42
68
55–59
58
44
60–64
38
45
65–74
38
42
75–84
36
35
85+
31
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1826123.8%
18 and over83576.2%
65 and over22720.7%
Median age40.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 92.8%
Black or African American 3.6%
Asian 2.5%
Two or more races 1.2%
GroupCount%
White1,01792.8%
Black or African American393.6%
Asian272.5%
Two or more races131.2%

Household income

Under $10k 3.1%
$10k–$15k 2.1%
$15k–$25k 4.5%
$25k–$35k 6.1%
$35k–$50k 9.5%
$50k–$75k 23.4%
$75k–$100k 23.4%
$100k–$150k 15.8%
$150k–$200k 8.5%
$200k+ 3.5%
Range% of households
Under $10k3.1%
$10k–$15k2.1%
$15k–$25k4.5%
$25k–$35k6.1%
$35k–$50k9.5%
$50k–$75k23.4%
$75k–$100k23.4%
$100k–$150k15.8%
$150k–$200k8.5%
$200k+3.5%
Median income$76,375

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 13.9%
$50k–$100k 23.7%
$100k–$150k 31.5%
$150k–$200k 8.4%
$200k–$300k 16.5%
$300k–$500k 4.6%
$500k–$1M 1.4%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$115,400
Median rent / month$757
Owner occupied81.8%
Renter occupied18.2%
Vacant16.2%
Single-family detached87.7%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes0.0%
Median rooms7.0
Avg household size (owned)2.39

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20192.6%
2000–200911.3%
1990–19998.9%
1980–19898.5%
1970–197915.6%
1960–196911.5%
1950–19598.9%
1940–19497.3%
1939 or earlier25.3%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.0%
1 bedroom5.3%
2 bedrooms19.8%
3 bedrooms45.7%
4 bedrooms23.8%
5+ bedrooms5.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle3.1%
1 vehicle26.2%
2 vehicles36.4%
3 or more34.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas64.8%
Electricity20.8%
Propane / LP gas11.1%
Wood3.3%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family27164.1%
Cohabiting couple133.1%
Male householder, no spouse5513.0%
Female householder, no spouse8419.9%
Households with children under 1812629.8%
Households with seniors (65+)12830.3%
Average household size2.41

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married25.6%18.7%
Married62.2%61.3%
Separated0.7%2.7%
Widowed2.5%8.6%
Divorced9.0%8.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.7%
Some HS, no diploma 7.2%
HS graduate 35.9%
Some college, no degree 18.5%
Associate's degree 15.1%
Bachelor's degree 15.2%
Graduate / professional 6.4%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher91.1%
Bachelor's or higher21.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool94.4%
Kindergarten199.4%
Elementary school8039.4%
High school6431.5%
College / grad school3115.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 27.9%
Manufacturing 20.0%
Retail trade 8.7%
Finance & real estate 8.5%
Construction 8.1%
Professional & management 5.5%
Public administration 5.5%
Transportation & utilities 5.1%
Other services 3.6%
Agriculture & mining 2.8%
Arts, food & hospitality 2.3%
Wholesale trade 1.9%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts39.1%
Service13.8%
Sales & office19.4%
Natural resources & construction11.9%
Production & transportation15.7%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector77.2%
Government17.7%
Self-employed5.1%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone79.2%
Carpool12.6%
Public transit0.0%
Walk5.0%
Other means1.9%
Avg commute (minutes)21.3

Poverty

All people 10.1%
Under 18 years 15.3%
18 and over 8.4%
Married-couple families 1.1%
Female-led households 25.7%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security29.3%
Retirement income28.1%
Supplemental Security6.6%
Cash public assistance2.4%
Food stamps / SNAP9.5%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure36.9%
High cholesterol35.9%
Heart disease8.3%
Stroke3.8%
Asthma9.1%
Arthritis28.3%
Kidney disease3.4%
Pulmonary disease7.9%
Cancer8.6%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking19.8%
No physical activity28.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep29.4%
Fair or poor health14.3%
Poor mental health12.9%
Poor physical health10.7%
No health insurance9.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)76.5%
Visited dentist65.9%
Cholesterol screening89.6%
Teeth loss14.8%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans586.9%
Disability%
Any disability14.2%
Under 181.5%
18–64 years11.9%
65 and over36.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance76.8%
Public insurance33.3%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only1,01292.3%
Spanish90.9%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages90.9%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)1,06897.4%
Born in same state1,06597.2%
Born in different state85878.3%
Foreign born30.3%
Naturalized citizen282.6%
Not a US citizen1346.4%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
English13612.4%
Italian756.8%
French686.2%
Polish403.6%
AncestryCount%
Arab333%
Dutch242.2%
Irish80.7%
German50.5%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access38.6%
Internet access99.1%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Primghar, IA have?
Primghar, IA has one ZIP code: 51245. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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