Sanborn ZIP Codes — Obrien County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Sanborn, Iowa and it is 51248. Area code: 712.

ZIP codes

79.15

sq mi land

0.00

sq mi water

712

area code

Sanborn, IA ZIP code map

About Sanborn, IA

Sanborn is a charming city located in O'Brien County, Iowa. This tight-knit community is known for its welcoming atmosphere and small-town charm. As the sole ZIP code holder of 51248, Sanborn provides residents with a sense of identity and belonging.

Location & geography

Sanborn is situated in northwestern Iowa, surrounded by picturesque farmland and rolling hills. It is approximately 13 miles northeast of the larger city of Sheldon and about 27 miles southwest of the city of Spencer. The total land area of Sanborn spans 79.15 square miles, with no significant bodies of water within its boundaries.

Community & economy

The community of Sanborn boasts a strong sense of character, where neighbors become friends and local events foster community spirit. Agriculture is a key industry in the area, contributing to the local economy and way of life. Residents enjoy an array of daily activities and gatherings that reflect a robust small-town culture.

Transportation

Sanborn is easily accessible via U.S. Highway 18, which serves as a major route through the area. The nearest major airport is the Sioux Gateway Airport, located about 60 miles to the southeast in Sioux City. Local transportation options are primarily reliant on personal vehicles, reflecting the rural nature of the town.

History

Founded in the late 19th century, Sanborn has a rich history tied to agriculture and the development of railroads in Iowa. Over the years, it has experienced growth through various key industries that utilize the fertile surrounding land. Notable events in the town's history include annual festivals that celebrate its agricultural roots.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Sanborn is that it hosts the annual Sanborn Watermelon Days, which attracts visitors from surrounding areas. Additionally, the town features an active community center that engages residents in various recreational activities.

ZIP codes for Sanborn, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
51248	Sanborn	Obrien	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,712

Population

43.6

Median age

$56,691

Median household income

$29,154

Per capita income

$130,000

Median home value

$852

Median monthly rent

78.0%

Home ownership

11.9%

Poverty rate

2.2%

Unemployment

569

Housing units

22.2%

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	430	25.1%
18 and over	1,282	74.9%
65 and over	465	27.2%
Median age	43.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 97%

Black or African American 1.5%

Two or more races 1%

Hispanic or Latino 0.3%

Asian 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	1,666	97%
Black or African American	25	1.5%
Two or more races	17	1%
Hispanic or Latino	6	0.3%
Asian	4	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 5.3%

$10k–$15k 5.3%

$15k–$25k 11.2%

$25k–$35k 9.2%

$35k–$50k 13.2%

$50k–$75k 19.1%

$75k–$100k 14.8%

$100k–$150k 15.4%

$150k–$200k 5.3%

$200k+ 1.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.3%
$10k–$15k	5.3%
$15k–$25k	11.2%
$25k–$35k	9.2%
$35k–$50k	13.2%
$50k–$75k	19.1%
$75k–$100k	14.8%
$100k–$150k	15.4%
$150k–$200k	5.3%
$200k+	1.3%
Median income	$56,691

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 7.8%

$50k–$100k 27.0%

$100k–$150k 22.4%

$150k–$200k 15.3%

$200k–$300k 18.2%

$300k–$500k 8.6%

$1M+ 0.5%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$130,000
Median rent / month	$852
Owner occupied	78.0%
Renter occupied	22.0%
Vacant	2.9%
Single-family detached	79.8%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	1.1%
Median rooms	6.5
Avg household size (owned)	2.51

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	4.3%
2000–2009	9.9%
1990–1999	10.6%
1980–1989	5.0%
1970–1979	8.1%
1960–1969	18.5%
1950–1959	10.2%
1940–1949	3.6%
1939 or earlier	29.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	7.2%
2 bedrooms	30.8%
3 bedrooms	30.8%
4 bedrooms	21.3%
5+ bedrooms	9.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.6%
1 vehicle	30.6%
2 vehicles	35.7%
3 or more	29.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	66.3%
Electricity	22.9%
Propane / LP gas	8.5%
Fuel oil	1.3%
No fuel used	0.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	317	45.1%
Cohabiting couple	45	6.4%
Male householder, no spouse	163	23.2%
Female householder, no spouse	178	25.3%
Households with children under 18	168	23.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	276	39.3%
Average household size	2.33

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	33.0%	21.7%
Married	51.5%	47.9%
Separated	1.0%	1.5%
Widowed	4.1%	20.4%
Divorced	10.4%	8.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.1%

Some HS, no diploma 4.1%

HS graduate 41.9%

Some college, no degree 20.0%

Associate's degree 10.7%

Bachelor's degree 18.2%

Graduate / professional 4.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	94.8%
Bachelor's or higher	22.2%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	11	2.6%
Kindergarten	16	3.8%
Elementary school	240	57.1%
High school	86	20.5%
College / grad school	67	16.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 28.1%

Manufacturing 15.9%

Retail trade 10.2%

Professional & management 7.0%

Agriculture & mining 6.9%

Construction 6.5%

Wholesale trade 5.1%

Transportation & utilities 4.6%

Finance & real estate 3.9%

Information 3.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 3.4%

Other services 3.0%

Public administration 2.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	33.6%
Service	22.0%
Sales & office	11.6%
Natural resources & construction	15.1%
Production & transportation	17.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	70.7%
Government	16.7%
Self-employed	11.6%
Unpaid family workers	1.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	82.3%
Carpool	5.8%
Public transit	0.6%
Walk	2.1%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	20.5

Poverty

All people 11.9%

Under 18 years 11.0%

18 and over 12.2%

Married-couple families 12.6%

Female-led households 34.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	41.7%
Retirement income	27.9%
Supplemental Security	1.8%
Cash public assistance	2.3%
Food stamps / SNAP	5.4%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.6%
High cholesterol	35.4%
Heart disease	8.3%
Stroke	3.8%
Asthma	9.1%
Arthritis	28.5%
Kidney disease	3.5%
Pulmonary disease	7.9%
Cancer	8.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	19.6%
No physical activity	28.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	28.9%
Fair or poor health	14.1%
Poor mental health	12.8%
Poor physical health	10.5%
No health insurance	9.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.7%
Visited dentist	66.5%
Cholesterol screening	89.3%
Teeth loss	14.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	97	7.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	12.7%
Under 18	1.6%
18–64 years	9.3%
65 and over	32.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	64.7%
Public insurance	54.7%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,610	94.0%
Spanish	11	0.7%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,683	98.3%
Born in same state	1,679	98.1%
Born in different state	1,384	80.8%
Foreign born	4	0.2%
Naturalized citizen	29	1.7%
Not a US citizen	7	24.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
English	553	32.3%
Italian	102	6%
French	93	5.4%
Arab	74	4.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	18	1.1%
Dutch	12	0.7%
German	7	0.4%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.1%
Internet access	91.6%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Sanborn, IA have?

Sanborn, IA has one ZIP code: 51248. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.