Red Oak ZIP Codes — Montgomery County, IA

There are 2 unique ZIP codes in Red Oak, Iowa. Area code: 712.

ZIP codes

176.40

sq mi land

0.57

sq mi water

712

area code

Red Oak, IA ZIP code map

About Red Oak, IA

Red Oak, Iowa, is a picturesque city located in Montgomery County. Known for its small-town charm and strong community ties, Red Oak offers a welcoming atmosphere for both residents and visitors. With a rich history and various local attractions, it serves as a delightful destination in Iowa.

Location & geography

Situated in southwestern Iowa, Red Oak is approximately 50 miles west of the state capital, Des Moines. The city is bordered by several neighboring communities, including Stanton, located about 8 miles to the northeast, and Elliott, roughly 9 miles to the northwest. Red Oak spans a total land area of 176.40 square miles, with a small water area of 0.57 square miles, giving it a diverse terrain.

Community & economy

Red Oak has a vibrant community characterized by friendly residents and a commitment to local values. The economy is primarily supported by agriculture, retail, and various small businesses that cater to the needs of the population. Daily life in Red Oak is infused with a mix of modern conveniences and traditional activities, fostering a sense of belonging among its inhabitants.

Transportation

Transportation in Red Oak is accessible via several highways, including U.S. Route 34 and Iowa Highway 48, which connect the city to surrounding areas. The nearest commercial airport is the Eppley Airfield in Omaha, Nebraska, approximately 80 miles away. Public transit options are limited, but residents often rely on personal vehicles for their daily commutes.

History

Red Oak was founded in the late 19th century, capitalizing on its position as a hub for the burgeoning railroad industry. As the city developed, various industries thrived, especially agriculture, which continues to play a crucial role in the local economy. Notable events in Red Oak's history include the establishment of the Montgomery County Fair, which celebrates the agricultural heritage of the area.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Red Oak is that it was once home to a unique 'Red Oak, Iowa' flag, which proudly displayed the city's name and history. Moreover, the city's annual events, such as the Montgomery County Fair, attract visitors from neighboring towns and contribute to its rich cultural tapestry.

ZIP codes for Red Oak, IA (2)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
51566	Red Oak	Montgomery	View map
51591	Red Oak	Montgomery	View map

Demographics & statistics

6,764

Population

43.2

Median age

$57,603

Median household income

$38,149

Per capita income

$103,600

Median home value

$721

Median monthly rent

67.8%

Home ownership

15.9%

Poverty rate

6.4%

Unemployment

2,411

Housing units

17.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

162

Under 5

179

227

5–9

250

205

10–14

225

199

15–19

219

176

20–24

194

321

25–34

353

348

35–44

384

395

45–54

434

233

55–59

256

255

60–64

281

378

65–74

416

184

75–84

202

137

85+

151

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,485	22.0%
18 and over	5,279	78.0%
65 and over	1,468	21.7%
Median age	43.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 90.9%

Two or more races 3.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 2.5%

Hispanic or Latino 0.9%

Other race 0.8%

Black or African American 0.6%

Asian 0.6%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.4%

Group	Count	%
White	6,206	90.9%
Two or more races	226	3.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	172	2.5%
Hispanic or Latino	60	0.9%
Other race	54	0.8%
Black or African American	42	0.6%
Asian	39	0.6%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	25	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 4.3%

$10k–$15k 7.5%

$15k–$25k 10.4%

$25k–$35k 9.0%

$35k–$50k 13.4%

$50k–$75k 17.6%

$75k–$100k 12.3%

$100k–$150k 14.7%

$150k–$200k 7.3%

$200k+ 3.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.3%
$10k–$15k	7.5%
$15k–$25k	10.4%
$25k–$35k	9.0%
$35k–$50k	13.4%
$50k–$75k	17.6%
$75k–$100k	12.3%
$100k–$150k	14.7%
$150k–$200k	7.3%
$200k+	3.6%
Median income	$57,603

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 12.1%

$50k–$100k 36.5%

$100k–$150k 16.1%

$150k–$200k 14.2%

$200k–$300k 11.4%

$300k–$500k 7.2%

$500k–$1M 2.2%

$1M+ 0.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$103,600
Median rent / month	$721
Owner occupied	67.8%
Renter occupied	32.2%
Vacant	11.1%
Single-family detached	80.8%
Large apartment buildings	2.4%
Mobile homes	2.6%
Median rooms	6.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.12

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	2.6%
2000–2009	5.7%
1990–1999	4.5%
1980–1989	5.6%
1970–1979	17.7%
1960–1969	8.5%
1950–1959	11.5%
1940–1949	9.4%
1939 or earlier	34.5%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.1%
1 bedroom	6.7%
2 bedrooms	36.9%
3 bedrooms	31.9%
4 bedrooms	19.1%
5+ bedrooms	5.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.8%
1 vehicle	37.5%
2 vehicles	30.0%
3 or more	26.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	57.1%
Electricity	25.2%
Propane / LP gas	14.9%
Fuel oil	0.3%
Wood	0.2%
No fuel used	1.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,250	41.6%
Cohabiting couple	314	10.5%
Male householder, no spouse	650	21.6%
Female householder, no spouse	790	26.3%
Households with children under 18	851	28.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,058	35.2%
Average household size	2.21

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	34.7%	23.5%
Married	49.8%	46.3%
Separated	0.7%	0.7%
Widowed	4.4%	13.7%
Divorced	10.4%	15.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.0%

Some HS, no diploma 7.7%

HS graduate 37.8%

Some college, no degree 21.9%

Associate's degree 13.1%

Bachelor's degree 11.8%

Graduate / professional 5.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	90.3%
Bachelor's or higher	17.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	38	2.7%
Kindergarten	102	7.3%
Elementary school	735	52.3%
High school	391	27.8%
College / grad school	139	9.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.8%

Retail trade 17.7%

Manufacturing 16.8%

Agriculture & mining 7.7%

Construction 7.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 5.9%

Finance & real estate 3.7%

Wholesale trade 3.6%

Transportation & utilities 3.6%

Professional & management 2.9%

Public administration 2.9%

Other services 1.7%

Information 1.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	26.9%
Service	15.3%
Sales & office	24.6%
Natural resources & construction	11.7%
Production & transportation	21.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	84.9%
Government	9.9%
Self-employed	5.2%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	84.4%
Carpool	6.5%
Public transit	0.4%
Walk	1.7%
Other means	0.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	18.4

Poverty

All people 15.9%

Under 18 years 22.0%

18 and over 14.2%

Married-couple families 2.5%

Female-led households 55.2%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	41.9%
Retirement income	27.9%
Supplemental Security	5.0%
Cash public assistance	2.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	17.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	38.4%
High cholesterol	35.4%
Heart disease	8.4%
Stroke	3.9%
Asthma	9.7%
Arthritis	29.4%
Kidney disease	3.6%
Pulmonary disease	8.8%
Cancer	8.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	20.0%
No physical activity	28.7%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.6%
Fair or poor health	16.3%
Poor mental health	13.8%
Poor physical health	11.7%
No health insurance	10.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.7%
Visited dentist	62.3%
Cholesterol screening	88.9%
Teeth loss	16.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	451	8.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	18.1%
Under 18	12.8%
18–64 years	14.1%
65 and over	34.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	62.6%
Public insurance	51.9%
Uninsured under 19	0.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	6,423	95.0%
Spanish	22	0.3%
Other Indo-European	18	0.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	4	0.1%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	6,728	99.5%
Born in same state	6,698	99.0%
Born in different state	4,710	69.6%
Foreign born	30	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	36	0.5%
Not a US citizen	36	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	1,007	14.9%
Italian	572	8.5%
Arab	322	4.8%
Polish	106	1.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	67	1%
English	53	0.8%
Norwegian	19	0.3%
German	11	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	44.4%
Internet access	87.8%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Red Oak, IA have?

Red Oak, IA has one ZIP code: 51566. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.