Royal ZIP Codes — Clay County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Royal, Iowa and it is 51357. Area code: 712.

ZIP codes

37.28

sq mi land

0.00

sq mi water

712

area code

Royal, IA ZIP code map

About Royal, IA

Royal is a small city located in Clay County, Iowa. Known for its close-knit community and serene environment, it offers a peaceful lifestyle that attracts residents looking for a quieter place to live. As part of Iowa's picturesque landscapes, Royal exemplifies the charm of rural American towns.

Location & geography

Royal is situated in the northwest part of Iowa, approximately 10 miles west of Spencer, the county seat of Clay County. It is also about 18 miles north of the city of Estherville and 20 miles east from the city of Spirit Lake. The city covers a land area of 37.28 square miles, with no water area included, reflecting its primarily land-based terrain.

Community & economy

The character of Royal is defined by its welcoming atmosphere and strong community ties, with residents often involved in local events and activities. Agriculture plays a significant role in the local economy, supporting small businesses and providing employment opportunities for many inhabitants. Daily life in Royal is characterized by a mix of farming, family-oriented events, and a commitment to preserving the small-town lifestyle.

Transportation

Royal is easily accessible via Iowa Highway 18, which connects it to major regional road networks. The nearest airport is in Spencer, allowing residents and visitors to access air travel conveniently. Local transportation options are limited, reflecting the town's small size and rural setting.

History

Royal was founded in the early 20th century, reflecting the agricultural developments in Clay County during that period. The city has traditionally been supported by farming and related industries, shaping its development and community culture over the years. While not widely known for specific historical events, Royal's growth mirrors the broader agricultural advancements in rural Iowa.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Royal is that it has a single ZIP code, 51357, which simplifies mail delivery and identification of the area. Additionally, the city showcases the rural charm typical of small towns in the Midwest, contributing to a laid-back lifestyle for its residents.

ZIP codes for Royal, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
51357	Royal	Clay	View map

Demographics & statistics

744

Population

31.7

Median age

$60,833

Median household income

$32,412

Per capita income

$87,600

Median home value

$790

Median monthly rent

72.2%

Home ownership

12.1%

Poverty rate

2.4%

Unemployment

270

Housing units

19.6%

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	186	25.0%
18 and over	558	75.0%
65 and over	137	18.4%
Median age	31.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 98.5%

Black or African American 0.9%

Two or more races 0.4%

Hispanic or Latino 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	734	98.5%
Black or African American	7	0.9%
Two or more races	3	0.4%
Hispanic or Latino	1	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 2.9%

$10k–$15k 5.2%

$15k–$25k 5.2%

$25k–$35k 7.5%

$35k–$50k 10.8%

$50k–$75k 31.7%

$75k–$100k 14.7%

$100k–$150k 19.0%

$150k–$200k 0.3%

$200k+ 2.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.9%
$10k–$15k	5.2%
$15k–$25k	5.2%
$25k–$35k	7.5%
$35k–$50k	10.8%
$50k–$75k	31.7%
$75k–$100k	14.7%
$100k–$150k	19.0%
$150k–$200k	0.3%
$200k+	2.6%
Median income	$60,833

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 15.8%

$50k–$100k 40.3%

$100k–$150k 13.1%

$150k–$200k 8.6%

$200k–$300k 12.2%

$300k–$500k 9.0%

$500k–$1M 0.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$87,600
Median rent / month	$790
Owner occupied	72.2%
Renter occupied	27.8%
Vacant	13.8%
Single-family detached	89.3%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	0.6%
Median rooms	6.2
Avg household size (owned)	2.24

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	2.5%
2000–2009	5.6%
1990–1999	2.3%
1980–1989	2.0%
1970–1979	7.9%
1960–1969	13.8%
1950–1959	6.5%
1940–1949	9.0%
1939 or earlier	50.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	5.6%
2 bedrooms	22.5%
3 bedrooms	42.8%
4 bedrooms	18.0%
5+ bedrooms	11.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.0%
1 vehicle	17.3%
2 vehicles	47.1%
3 or more	33.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	63.1%
Electricity	4.9%
Propane / LP gas	31.4%
Wood	0.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	140	45.8%
Cohabiting couple	40	13.1%
Male householder, no spouse	76	24.8%
Female householder, no spouse	50	16.3%
Households with children under 18	81	26.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	95	31.0%
Average household size	2.43

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	41.7%	34.0%
Married	44.2%	49.5%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	4.8%	6.2%
Divorced	9.3%	10.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.2%

Some HS, no diploma 3.5%

HS graduate 36.2%

Some college, no degree 18.9%

Associate's degree 21.7%

Bachelor's degree 13.8%

Graduate / professional 5.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.3%
Bachelor's or higher	19.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	7	5.8%
Kindergarten	17	14.0%
Elementary school	36	29.8%
High school	52	43.0%
College / grad school	9	7.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 30.7%

Education & healthcare 13.9%

Construction 11.9%

Other services 8.4%

Retail trade 7.2%

Agriculture & mining 6.7%

Transportation & utilities 5.9%

Information 5.7%

Arts, food & hospitality 5.2%

Professional & management 2.5%

Wholesale trade 1.0%

Finance & real estate 0.7%

Public administration 0.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	24.8%
Service	13.6%
Sales & office	17.6%
Natural resources & construction	11.1%
Production & transportation	32.9%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	81.4%
Government	5.4%
Self-employed	12.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	69.3%
Carpool	19.3%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	4.8%
Other means	1.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	21.5

Poverty

All people 12.1%

Under 18 years 22.6%

18 and over 8.6%

Married-couple families 3.6%

Female-led households 14.8%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	37.3%
Retirement income	21.2%
Supplemental Security	0.0%
Cash public assistance	5.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	10.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	31.7%
High cholesterol	33.1%
Heart disease	6.3%
Stroke	2.9%
Asthma	9.5%
Arthritis	24.7%
Kidney disease	2.7%
Pulmonary disease	6.8%
Cancer	6.7%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	22.9%
No physical activity	24.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.0%
Fair or poor health	12.9%
Poor mental health	14.1%
Poor physical health	9.7%
No health insurance	10.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	73.4%
Visited dentist	64.8%
Cholesterol screening	87.5%
Teeth loss	13.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	59	10.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	12.5%
Under 18	2.2%
18–64 years	11.4%
65 and over	29.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	71.0%
Public insurance	37.5%
Uninsured under 19	9.1%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	671	90.2%
Spanish	1	0.1%
Other Indo-European	1	0.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	743	99.9%
Born in same state	738	99.2%
Born in different state	537	72.2%
Foreign born	5	0.7%
Naturalized citizen	1	0.1%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	59	7.9%
Dutch	50	6.7%
Italian	46	6.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	30	4%
Polish	28	3.8%
English	13	1.7%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.1%
Internet access	90.8%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Royal, IA have?

Royal, IA has one ZIP code: 51357. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.