Rock Rapids ZIP Codes — Lyon County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Rock Rapids, Iowa and it is 51246. Area code: 712.
1
ZIP codes
161.11
sq mi land
0.06
sq mi water
712
area code
Rock Rapids, IA ZIP code map

About Rock Rapids, IA

Rock Rapids is a charming city located in Lyon County, Iowa. This small town is known for its friendly community and picturesque landscapes, providing both residents and visitors with a sense of tranquility. With a rich history and a vibrant local culture, Rock Rapids serves as a quaint representation of rural life in the Midwest.

Location & geography

Rock Rapids is situated in the northwestern corner of Iowa, approximately 25 miles from the South Dakota border. Nearby cities include Lyon County Seat Marshal, about 20 miles to the southwest, as well as Little Rock, which is just 8 miles to the east. The city covers a land area of 161.11 square miles, featuring gentle rolling terrain and minimal water coverage of 0.06 square miles.

Community & economy

The character of Rock Rapids is defined by its tight-knit community and welcoming atmosphere. Agriculture and small manufacturing are key industries that contribute to the local economy, providing a steady source of employment. Daily life in Rock Rapids revolves around local events, community gatherings, and a shared appreciation for the region's rich heritage.

Transportation

Key transportation routes in Rock Rapids include U.S. Highway 75, which provides access to larger neighboring cities and southward interstate connections. The nearest major airport is Sioux Falls Regional Airport, approximately 40 miles to the north in South Dakota. Local transit options are limited, so most residents rely on personal vehicles for transportation.

History

Rock Rapids was founded in the mid-19th century, with its establishment tied closely to the development of agriculture in the region. The city has historically been a center for farming and small-scale manufacturing, which contributed to its growth and vitality. Notable events in its history include the building of the iconic Lyon County Courthouse, which reflects the community's commitment to preserving its historical legacy.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Rock Rapids is that it was named after the nearby Little Rock River, which features unique rapids that were once a notable landmark for early settlers. Additionally, the city hosts an annual festival called 'Rock Rapids Fun Days' that showcases local culture, crafts, and community spirit.

ZIP codes for Rock Rapids, IA (1)
ZIP code City County Map
51246 Rock Rapids Lyon View map

Demographics & statistics

4,007
Population
38.2
Median age
$70,625
Median household income
$31,401
Per capita income
$221,600
Median home value
$756
Median monthly rent
82.4%
Home ownership
2.0%
Poverty rate
2.7%
Unemployment
1,356
Housing units
20.9%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
117
Under 5
110
226
5–9
212
202
10–14
189
179
15–19
167
81
20–24
75
108
25–34
101
360
35–44
337
173
45–54
163
159
55–59
149
119
60–64
111
166
65–74
155
93
75–84
87
87
85+
81
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 181,28532.1%
18 and over2,72267.9%
65 and over66916.7%
Median age38.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 92.5%
Two or more races 3.3%
Hispanic or Latino 2.9%
Other race 0.8%
Asian 0.3%
Black or African American 0.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%
GroupCount%
White3,81892.5%
Two or more races1363.3%
Hispanic or Latino1202.9%
Other race310.8%
Asian140.3%
Black or African American40.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native40.1%

Household income

Under $10k 1.1%
$10k–$15k 3.5%
$15k–$25k 4.6%
$25k–$35k 4.7%
$35k–$50k 14.2%
$50k–$75k 24.0%
$75k–$100k 16.2%
$100k–$150k 18.7%
$150k–$200k 6.2%
$200k+ 6.7%
Range% of households
Under $10k1.1%
$10k–$15k3.5%
$15k–$25k4.6%
$25k–$35k4.7%
$35k–$50k14.2%
$50k–$75k24.0%
$75k–$100k16.2%
$100k–$150k18.7%
$150k–$200k6.2%
$200k+6.7%
Median income$70,625

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 3.7%
$50k–$100k 13.7%
$100k–$150k 10.0%
$150k–$200k 12.1%
$200k–$300k 33.5%
$300k–$500k 17.0%
$500k–$1M 8.1%
$1M+ 1.9%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$221,600
Median rent / month$756
Owner occupied82.4%
Renter occupied17.6%
Vacant16.1%
Single-family detached82.3%
Large apartment buildings8.7%
Mobile homes1.4%
Median rooms6.9
Avg household size (owned)3.03

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.6%
2010–20196.0%
2000–20096.6%
1990–199910.6%
1980–19894.0%
1970–197917.4%
1960–196916.3%
1950–195911.3%
1940–19497.4%
1939 or earlier19.7%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.6%
1 bedroom10.4%
2 bedrooms20.3%
3 bedrooms32.7%
4 bedrooms27.4%
5+ bedrooms8.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle2.5%
1 vehicle19.1%
2 vehicles37.1%
3 or more41.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas58.7%
Electricity25.4%
Propane / LP gas11.5%
Fuel oil0.4%
Wood2.1%
No fuel used0.5%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family85764.2%
Cohabiting couple866.4%
Male householder, no spouse16512.4%
Female householder, no spouse22717.0%
Households with children under 1849737.2%
Households with seniors (65+)40830.6%
Average household size2.92

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married26.7%21.2%
Married60.5%59.8%
Separated2.4%0.4%
Widowed2.3%13.7%
Divorced8.0%4.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.8%
Some HS, no diploma 2.0%
HS graduate 41.4%
Some college, no degree 19.1%
Associate's degree 13.8%
Bachelor's degree 16.2%
Graduate / professional 4.7%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher95.1%
Bachelor's or higher20.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool292.4%
Kindergarten342.9%
Elementary school65154.8%
High school34829.3%
College / grad school12710.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.7%
Manufacturing 12.4%
Retail trade 11.7%
Agriculture & mining 9.6%
Professional & management 7.1%
Finance & real estate 6.5%
Public administration 5.4%
Arts, food & hospitality 5.0%
Transportation & utilities 4.8%
Construction 4.3%
Other services 4.1%
Wholesale trade 3.4%
Information 0.9%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts40.0%
Service14.3%
Sales & office20.8%
Natural resources & construction8.2%
Production & transportation16.7%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector70.8%
Government20.9%
Self-employed8.4%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone80.7%
Carpool4.7%
Public transit0.0%
Walk4.9%
Other means0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)12.7

Poverty

All people 2.0%
Under 18 years 0.4%
18 and over 2.8%
Married-couple families 0.6%
Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security30.3%
Retirement income19.5%
Supplemental Security4.2%
Cash public assistance4.8%
Food stamps / SNAP3.3%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure32.7%
High cholesterol32.6%
Heart disease6.8%
Stroke3.0%
Asthma8.8%
Arthritis24.9%
Kidney disease2.9%
Pulmonary disease6.5%
Cancer8.0%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking20.0%
No physical activity23.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep29.0%
Fair or poor health11.8%
Poor mental health12.5%
Poor physical health9.0%
No health insurance9.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)77.0%
Visited dentist68.4%
Cholesterol screening89.4%
Teeth loss12.4%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans1284.7%
Disability%
Any disability11.9%
Under 182.7%
18–64 years9.8%
65 and over38.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance78.2%
Public insurance35.6%
Uninsured under 191.2%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only3,78094.3%
Spanish280.7%
Other Indo-European270.7%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages10.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)3,93898.3%
Born in same state3,92497.9%
Born in different state2,23255.7%
Foreign born140.3%
Naturalized citizen691.7%
Not a US citizen1724.6%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
English1,10727.6%
Arab2105.2%
Italian2025%
French1493.7%
AncestryCount%
Polish1353.4%
Dutch641.6%
German50.1%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access33.3%
Internet access91.3%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Rock Rapids, IA have?
Rock Rapids, IA has one ZIP code: 51246. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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