Ruthven ZIP Codes — Palo Alto County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Ruthven, Iowa and it is 51358. Area code: 712.

ZIP codes

80.26

sq mi land

5.82

sq mi water

712

area code

Ruthven, IA ZIP code map

About Ruthven, IA

Ruthven, Iowa, is a charming small city located in the heart of Palo Alto County. Known for its tight-knit community and rich history, it embodies the classic Midwestern spirit. With a single ZIP code of 51358, Ruthven serves as a hub for surrounding rural areas.

Location & geography

Ruthven is situated in northwestern Iowa, approximately 20 miles south of the Minnesota border and about 18 miles northeast of the city of Spencer. The terrain features both land and water, with a total land area of 80.26 square miles and a water area of 5.82 square miles. The city is surrounded by picturesque landscapes, making it a serene location for residents and visitors alike.

Community & economy

The character of Ruthven is marked by a strong sense of community, where residents often gather for local events and support one another. The town has a reputation for its agricultural contributions, as farming plays a significant role in the local economy. Daily life in Ruthven is influenced by community spirit, with activities focused around schools, churches, and seasonal events.

Transportation

Ruthven is accessible via Iowa Highway 4, which runs through the area and connects to other major roadways. The nearest regional airport is the Spencer Municipal Airport, located about 20 miles away, offering limited commercial flights. Public transit options are minimal, emphasizing the importance of personal vehicles in this rural setting.

History

Ruthven was founded in the late 19th century, during a period of growth in Iowa spurred by agricultural development. Historically, the city has thrived on industries such as farming and manufacturing, contributing to its local economy. Notable events include the establishment of the Ruthven Historical Society, which preserves the city’s rich history and heritage.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Ruthven is that it is home to the annual Ruthven Rodeo, which attracts participants and spectators from across the region every summer. Additionally, the city was named after a town in Scotland, reflecting the heritage of some of its early settlers.

ZIP codes for Ruthven, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
51358	Ruthven	Palo Alto	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,259

Population

47.6

Median age

$65,833

Median household income

$32,266

Per capita income

$128,700

Median home value

$685

Median monthly rent

79.9%

Home ownership

8.9%

Poverty rate

3.4%

Unemployment

741

Housing units

24.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

100

45–54

55–59

60–64

119

65–74

115

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	278	22.1%
18 and over	981	77.9%
65 and over	332	26.4%
Median age	47.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 87.1%

Two or more races 7.4%

Hispanic or Latino 3.7%

Other race 1.1%

Asian 0.7%

Group	Count	%
White	1,139	87.1%
Two or more races	97	7.4%
Hispanic or Latino	49	3.7%
Other race	14	1.1%
Asian	9	0.7%

Household income

Under $10k 9.2%

$10k–$15k 2.5%

$15k–$25k 8.7%

$25k–$35k 6.2%

$35k–$50k 15.4%

$50k–$75k 17.0%

$75k–$100k 13.2%

$100k–$150k 17.2%

$150k–$200k 5.6%

$200k+ 4.9%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	9.2%
$10k–$15k	2.5%
$15k–$25k	8.7%
$25k–$35k	6.2%
$35k–$50k	15.4%
$50k–$75k	17.0%
$75k–$100k	13.2%
$100k–$150k	17.2%
$150k–$200k	5.6%
$200k+	4.9%
Median income	$65,833

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 14.5%

$50k–$100k 23.8%

$100k–$150k 20.2%

$150k–$200k 8.2%

$200k–$300k 18.4%

$300k–$500k 12.9%

$500k–$1M 2.0%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$128,700
Median rent / month	$685
Owner occupied	79.9%
Renter occupied	20.1%
Vacant	35.2%
Single-family detached	88.1%
Large apartment buildings	0.5%
Mobile homes	3.5%
Median rooms	6.2
Avg household size (owned)	2.30

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	2.9%
2010–2019	0.8%
2000–2009	4.7%
1990–1999	16.8%
1980–1989	5.0%
1970–1979	12.8%
1960–1969	8.3%
1950–1959	7.5%
1940–1949	5.9%
1939 or earlier	35.2%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	11.2%
2 bedrooms	21.1%
3 bedrooms	38.5%
4 bedrooms	17.8%
5+ bedrooms	11.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.0%
1 vehicle	26.3%
2 vehicles	36.1%
3 or more	31.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	36.2%
Electricity	34.6%
Propane / LP gas	28.3%
Solar	0.9%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	249	45.1%
Cohabiting couple	41	7.4%
Male householder, no spouse	124	22.5%
Female householder, no spouse	138	25.0%
Households with children under 18	109	19.7%
Households with seniors (65+)	229	41.5%
Average household size	2.22

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	26.7%	15.3%
Married	49.1%	51.0%
Separated	0.8%	0.4%
Widowed	5.0%	16.3%
Divorced	18.4%	17.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.1%

Some HS, no diploma 3.3%

HS graduate 32.6%

Some college, no degree 22.0%

Associate's degree 14.6%

Bachelor's degree 18.3%

Graduate / professional 6.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	93.6%
Bachelor's or higher	24.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	15	6.0%
Kindergarten	20	8.0%
Elementary school	133	53.0%
High school	43	17.1%
College / grad school	40	15.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 20.4%

Construction 13.3%

Retail trade 13.0%

Manufacturing 11.5%

Transportation & utilities 8.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.5%

Professional & management 6.2%

Agriculture & mining 6.0%

Public administration 5.7%

Wholesale trade 2.7%

Finance & real estate 2.5%

Other services 2.3%

Information 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	27.4%
Service	13.3%
Sales & office	21.7%
Natural resources & construction	21.8%
Production & transportation	15.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	74.2%
Government	15.5%
Self-employed	8.0%
Unpaid family workers	2.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	79.4%
Carpool	11.0%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	3.9%
Other means	0.7%
Avg commute (minutes)	22.0

Poverty

All people 8.9%

Under 18 years 0.0%

18 and over 11.1%

Married-couple families 1.6%

Female-led households 12.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	39.7%
Retirement income	23.2%
Supplemental Security	7.8%
Cash public assistance	7.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	10.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.1%
High cholesterol	36.2%
Heart disease	8.1%
Stroke	3.6%
Asthma	9.1%
Arthritis	29.3%
Kidney disease	3.4%
Pulmonary disease	7.5%
Cancer	8.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	19.7%
No physical activity	25.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	28.8%
Fair or poor health	13.3%
Poor mental health	12.3%
Poor physical health	10.1%
No health insurance	8.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.8%
Visited dentist	69.0%
Cholesterol screening	90.0%
Teeth loss	12.5%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	75	7.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.2%
Under 18	12.9%
18–64 years	11.3%
65 and over	29.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	67.8%
Public insurance	50.8%
Uninsured under 19	1.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,177	93.5%
Spanish	4	0.3%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	4	0.3%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,236	98.2%
Born in same state	1,236	98.2%
Born in different state	1,012	80.4%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	23	1.8%
Not a US citizen	5	21.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	185	14.7%
Polish	120	9.5%
French	105	8.3%
Arab	89	7.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	53	4.2%
English	43	3.4%
German	2	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	43.8%
Internet access	90.8%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Ruthven, IA have?

Ruthven, IA has one ZIP code: 51358. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.