Russell ZIP Codes — Lucas County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Russell, Iowa and it is 50238. Area code: 641.

ZIP codes

100.70

sq mi land

2.84

sq mi water

641

area code

Russell, IA ZIP code map

About Russell, IA

Russell, Iowa is a charming small town located in Lucas County. The community is known for its friendly atmosphere and rural charm, making it a pleasant place to live and visit. With a single ZIP code, 50238, Russell represents a close-knit community embedded in the heart of Iowa.

Location & geography

Russell is situated approximately 15 miles north of the larger city of Chariton and about 25 miles southeast of Indianola. The town covers a total land area of 100.70 square miles, complemented by a water area of 2.84 square miles. The surrounding terrain is primarily characterized by rolling hills and farmland, providing a picturesque rural landscape.

Community & economy

The character of Russell is defined by its strong sense of community and a reliance on agriculture as a key industry. Daily life in Russell revolves around family, local events, and outdoor activities that foster community involvement and support. Residents enjoy the simplicity and beauty of rural Iowa living, which includes seasonal fairs and community gatherings.

Transportation

Highway 65 runs nearby, connecting Russell to neighboring towns and facilitating easy access to larger cities. The nearest named airports include the Chariton Municipal Airport and the Des Moines International Airport, both providing convenient travel options for residents and visitors alike. Public transit options are limited, but community members can rely on private transportation for local commuting.

History

Founded in the late 19th century, Russell has a storied past that reflects the agricultural development of the Lucas County area. The town was historically a center for farming and milling industries, which helped shape its identity and economic base. Notable events in its history often revolve around rural fairs and agricultural showcases that highlight the town's farming heritage.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Russell is that it encompasses both land and a small portion of water, offering residents access to unique outdoor experiences. Additionally, the town's tranquil environment attracts those seeking a peaceful retreat from urban life.

ZIP codes for Russell, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
50238	Russell	Lucas	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,168

Population

48.1

Median age

$61,534

Median household income

$28,722

Per capita income

$81,500

Median home value

$697

Median monthly rent

91.9%

Home ownership

10.4%

Poverty rate

2.2%

Unemployment

528

Housing units

14.4%

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

125

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	284	24.3%
18 and over	884	75.7%
65 and over	279	23.9%
Median age	48.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 97.5%

Two or more races 2.1%

Asian 0.3%

Hispanic or Latino 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	1,140	97.5%
Two or more races	25	2.1%
Asian	3	0.3%
Hispanic or Latino	1	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 3.8%

$10k–$15k 11.5%

$15k–$25k 4.4%

$25k–$35k 7.7%

$35k–$50k 14.6%

$50k–$75k 18.6%

$75k–$100k 19.2%

$100k–$150k 12.7%

$150k–$200k 6.7%

$200k+ 0.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.8%
$10k–$15k	11.5%
$15k–$25k	4.4%
$25k–$35k	7.7%
$35k–$50k	14.6%
$50k–$75k	18.6%
$75k–$100k	19.2%
$100k–$150k	12.7%
$150k–$200k	6.7%
$200k+	0.8%
Median income	$61,534

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 38.4%

$50k–$100k 24.3%

$100k–$150k 13.2%

$150k–$200k 5.7%

$200k–$300k 11.4%

$300k–$500k 7.0%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$81,500
Median rent / month	$697
Owner occupied	91.9%
Renter occupied	8.1%
Vacant	15.5%
Single-family detached	92.6%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	5.8%
Median rooms	6.2
Avg household size (owned)	2.42

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	4.8%
2000–2009	9.2%
1990–1999	5.1%
1980–1989	5.1%
1970–1979	15.0%
1960–1969	8.1%
1950–1959	1.8%
1940–1949	9.9%
1939 or earlier	41.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.4%
1 bedroom	8.6%
2 bedrooms	30.7%
3 bedrooms	39.5%
4 bedrooms	15.3%
5+ bedrooms	4.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.5%
1 vehicle	20.5%
2 vehicles	38.8%
3 or more	38.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	0.2%
Electricity	25.1%
Propane / LP gas	69.5%
Fuel oil	1.0%
Wood	4.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	277	57.8%
Cohabiting couple	37	7.7%
Male householder, no spouse	110	23.0%
Female householder, no spouse	55	11.5%
Households with children under 18	115	24.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	210	43.8%
Average household size	2.44

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	18.7%	13.7%
Married	56.4%	70.6%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	4.6%	5.7%
Divorced	20.3%	10.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.0%

Some HS, no diploma 7.5%

HS graduate 33.2%

Some college, no degree 34.3%

Associate's degree 6.7%

Bachelor's degree 11.3%

Graduate / professional 3.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	88.5%
Bachelor's or higher	14.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	56	20.8%
Kindergarten	1	0.4%
Elementary school	159	59.1%
High school	34	12.6%
College / grad school	19	7.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Retail trade 25.1%

Agriculture & mining 17.4%

Manufacturing 11.3%

Education & healthcare 10.3%

Wholesale trade 9.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.3%

Construction 5.7%

Professional & management 3.6%

Other services 3.4%

Finance & real estate 3.0%

Transportation & utilities 2.6%

Public administration 0.8%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	22.8%
Service	15.2%
Sales & office	10.3%
Natural resources & construction	21.2%
Production & transportation	30.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	87.3%
Government	9.5%
Self-employed	3.2%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	88.6%
Carpool	5.5%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.5%
Other means	2.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	27.7

Poverty

All people 10.4%

Under 18 years 2.1%

18 and over 13.1%

Married-couple families 3.2%

Female-led households 23.5%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	55.9%
Retirement income	20.0%
Supplemental Security	3.3%
Cash public assistance	2.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	5.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.6%
High cholesterol	36.0%
Heart disease	7.8%
Stroke	3.5%
Asthma	9.3%
Arthritis	28.7%
Kidney disease	3.3%
Pulmonary disease	7.9%
Cancer	7.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	19.8%
No physical activity	25.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.0%
Fair or poor health	14.4%
Poor mental health	13.1%
Poor physical health	10.7%
No health insurance	9.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.2%
Visited dentist	63.0%
Cholesterol screening	89.7%
Teeth loss	13.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	67	7.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	20.2%
Under 18	1.8%
18–64 years	10.9%
65 and over	59.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	71.2%
Public insurance	58.9%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,089	93.2%
Spanish	2	0.2%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	2	0.2%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,140	97.6%
Born in same state	1,140	97.6%
Born in different state	949	81.3%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	28	2.4%
Not a US citizen	25	89.3%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	166	14.2%
English	141	12.1%
Italian	130	11.1%
Arab	32	2.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	26	2.2%
Dutch	8	0.7%
German	3	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.0%
Internet access	85.6%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Russell, IA have?

Russell, IA has one ZIP code: 50238. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.