Sheldon ZIP Codes — Obrien County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Sheldon, Iowa and it is 51201. Area code: 712.

ZIP codes

115.66

sq mi land

0.03

sq mi water

712

area code

Sheldon, IA ZIP code map

About Sheldon, IA

Sheldon is a welcoming city located in Iowa, specifically in O'Brien County. It is known for its strong sense of community and vibrant local culture. With a rich agricultural background and various local businesses, Sheldon serves as a central hub for the surrounding area.

Location & geography

Sheldon is situated in the northwest region of Iowa and covers a land area of 115.66 square miles, complemented by a small water area of 0.03 square miles. It is located approximately 12 miles from the city of Sioux Center to the south and about 25 miles from Spencer to the northwest. The terrain is predominantly flat, typical of Iowa's rural landscape, making it conducive to agriculture.

Community & economy

The character of Sheldon is marked by a friendly atmosphere and an engaged citizenry that participates actively in local events. The economy is primarily driven by agriculture, which is supported by various related industries, along with retail and services that cater to residents and visitors. Daily life in Sheldon is characterized by community gatherings, local festivals, and a focus on family-oriented activities.

Transportation

Transportation in Sheldon is facilitated by several key highways, including U.S. Highway 18, which runs east-west through the city, and Iowa Highway 60, providing north-south access. The nearest airport with commercial services is the Sioux Gateway Airport in Sioux City, which is approximately 50 miles to the south. Local transit options are limited, emphasizing personal vehicles for mobility.

History

Founded in the late 19th century, Sheldon has a history rooted in agriculture and immigration, which contributed to its growth. The establishment of the railroad facilitated trade and transportation, playing a crucial role in the city's development. Notable events in its history include the annual Summer Celebration, which fosters community spirit and showcases local talent.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Sheldon is that it hosts the annual Sheldon Expo, which highlights local businesses and crafts, drawing visitors from the region. Additionally, the city is recognized for its historical significance in the development of the surrounding agricultural community.

ZIP codes for Sheldon, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
51201	Sheldon	Obrien	View map

Demographics & statistics

6,278

Population

38.5

Median age

$69,041

Median household income

$31,095

Per capita income

$165,900

Median home value

$639

Median monthly rent

71.8%

Home ownership

13.9%

Poverty rate

1.5%

Unemployment

2,136

Housing units

20.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

192

Under 5

188

235

5–9

231

165

10–14

161

191

15–19

188

208

20–24

203

427

25–34

418

450

35–44

442

298

45–54

293

184

55–59

181

260

60–64

255

356

65–74

350

75–84

113

85+

110

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,373	21.9%
18 and over	4,905	78.1%
65 and over	1,108	17.6%
Median age	38.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 79.2%

Hispanic or Latino 8%

Two or more races 7%

Other race 2.6%

Black or African American 1.9%

Asian 0.8%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	5,410	79.2%
Hispanic or Latino	549	8%
Two or more races	480	7%
Other race	180	2.6%
Black or African American	131	1.9%
Asian	58	0.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native	19	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 3.6%

$10k–$15k 1.8%

$15k–$25k 6.1%

$25k–$35k 8.0%

$35k–$50k 17.5%

$50k–$75k 18.6%

$75k–$100k 14.8%

$100k–$150k 19.7%

$150k–$200k 7.9%

$200k+ 2.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.6%
$10k–$15k	1.8%
$15k–$25k	6.1%
$25k–$35k	8.0%
$35k–$50k	17.5%
$50k–$75k	18.6%
$75k–$100k	14.8%
$100k–$150k	19.7%
$150k–$200k	7.9%
$200k+	2.1%
Median income	$69,041

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 7.3%

$50k–$100k 15.7%

$100k–$150k 20.0%

$150k–$200k 20.9%

$200k–$300k 20.2%

$300k–$500k 15.3%

$1M+ 0.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$165,900
Median rent / month	$639
Owner occupied	71.8%
Renter occupied	28.2%
Vacant	14.5%
Single-family detached	72.9%
Large apartment buildings	11.5%
Mobile homes	6.2%
Median rooms	6.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.68

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	3.6%
2000–2009	8.9%
1990–1999	8.7%
1980–1989	7.7%
1970–1979	15.9%
1960–1969	8.6%
1950–1959	20.9%
1940–1949	11.4%
1939 or earlier	14.2%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	14.7%
2 bedrooms	23.1%
3 bedrooms	31.3%
4 bedrooms	21.0%
5+ bedrooms	9.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	11.5%
1 vehicle	27.3%
2 vehicles	35.1%
3 or more	26.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	48.4%
Electricity	43.4%
Propane / LP gas	5.0%
Fuel oil	0.8%
Wood	0.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,327	55.1%
Cohabiting couple	163	6.8%
Male householder, no spouse	505	21.0%
Female householder, no spouse	412	17.1%
Households with children under 18	689	28.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	738	30.7%
Average household size	2.49

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	35.0%	29.4%
Married	53.4%	53.8%
Separated	0.2%	0.8%
Widowed	1.9%	9.9%
Divorced	9.4%	6.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.9%

Some HS, no diploma 9.2%

HS graduate 35.8%

Some college, no degree 15.8%

Associate's degree 17.5%

Bachelor's degree 16.7%

Graduate / professional 4.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	89.9%
Bachelor's or higher	20.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	176	12.8%
Kindergarten	69	5.0%
Elementary school	661	48.1%
High school	261	19.0%
College / grad school	207	15.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 26.5%

Manufacturing 21.5%

Retail trade 10.6%

Agriculture & mining 9.0%

Other services 6.7%

Transportation & utilities 6.4%

Construction 4.7%

Wholesale trade 4.7%

Arts, food & hospitality 3.7%

Finance & real estate 2.2%

Public administration 2.2%

Professional & management 1.4%

Information 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	33.9%
Service	13.4%
Sales & office	13.2%
Natural resources & construction	13.7%
Production & transportation	25.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	77.3%
Government	14.0%
Self-employed	8.4%
Unpaid family workers	0.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	77.7%
Carpool	16.0%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.0%
Other means	0.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	12.9

Poverty

All people 13.9%

Under 18 years 12.8%

18 and over 14.2%

Married-couple families 4.3%

Female-led households 48.2%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	32.5%
Retirement income	18.7%
Supplemental Security	2.5%
Cash public assistance	1.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	6.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	33.2%
High cholesterol	32.8%
Heart disease	6.9%
Stroke	3.2%
Asthma	9.0%
Arthritis	24.9%
Kidney disease	3.0%
Pulmonary disease	6.9%
Cancer	7.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	21.3%
No physical activity	27.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.4%
Fair or poor health	12.9%
Poor mental health	13.2%
Poor physical health	9.7%
No health insurance	10.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)	74.8%
Visited dentist	66.4%
Cholesterol screening	87.7%
Teeth loss	14.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	294	6.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.7%
Under 18	3.0%
18–64 years	18.0%
65 and over	18.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	74.3%
Public insurance	41.7%
Uninsured under 19	4.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	5,898	93.9%
Spanish	196	3.3%
Other Indo-European	109	1.8%
Asian & Pacific Islander	7	0.1%
Other languages	47	0.8%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	5,914	94.2%
Born in same state	5,711	91.0%
Born in different state	4,643	74.0%
Foreign born	203	3.2%
Naturalized citizen	364	5.8%
Not a US citizen	143	39.3%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
English	1,997	31.8%
Polish	373	5.9%
French	292	4.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	255	4.1%
Arab	196	3.1%
Dutch	11	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	38.3%
Internet access	93.8%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Sheldon, IA have?

Sheldon, IA has one ZIP code: 51201. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.