Storm Lake ZIP Codes — Buena Vista County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Storm Lake, Iowa and it is 50588. Area code: 712.

ZIP codes

138.81

sq mi land

4.89

sq mi water

712

area code

Storm Lake, IA ZIP code map

About Storm Lake, IA

Storm Lake, Iowa, is a vibrant city situated in Buena Vista County. Known for its picturesque lake and friendly community, Storm Lake offers residents and visitors a variety of recreational activities. It has developed a reputation as a welcoming place that celebrates its cultural diversity.

Location & geography

The city is located in northwest Iowa and is surrounded by several nearby cities, including Cherokee, approximately 22 miles to the east, and Sioux City, about 60 miles to the southwest. Storm Lake encompasses a land area of 138.81 square miles and features a water area of 4.89 square miles, contributing to its scenic environment. The terrain is characterized by rolling hills and the beautiful Storm Lake, which is a focal point of outdoor activities.

Community & economy

Storm Lake boasts a diverse community with a strong sense of belonging among its residents. Local industries primarily revolve around agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism, contributing to the city’s economy. Daily life in Storm Lake features a blend of cultural events, active community centers, and ample recreational opportunities for all ages.

Transportation

Major transportation routes include U.S. Highway 71, which provides convenient access to the region and connects to various other highways. The nearest named airport is the Sioux Gateway Airport, located approximately 60 miles away in Sioux City, offering regional flights. Public transit options are limited, but the city ensures residents can access essential services and amenities.

History

Storm Lake was officially founded in the mid-19th century and quickly grew due to its fertile land and access to the lake. Key industries during its early development included agriculture and milling, which were vital for the community's sustenance and growth. Notable events include the establishment of several educational and social institutions that shaped the town’s culture.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Storm Lake is that it is home to one of the largest lakes in Iowa, which offers various recreational opportunities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. Additionally, Storm Lake has a rich cultural tapestry, with significant contributions from the immigrant communities that have settled there over the years.

ZIP codes for Storm Lake, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
50588	Storm Lake	Buena Vista	View map

Demographics & statistics

13,263

Population

32.0

Median age

$56,608

Median household income

$30,907

Per capita income

$161,800

Median home value

$787

Median monthly rent

63.0%

Home ownership

7.1%

Poverty rate

3.8%

Unemployment

3,313

Housing units

22.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

445

Under 5

436

515

5–9

504

484

10–14

474

638

15–19

626

581

20–24

569

846

25–34

829

832

35–44

816

613

45–54

600

459

55–59

450

270

60–64

265

571

65–74

559

248

75–84

244

196

85+

193

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	3,475	26.2%
18 and over	9,788	73.8%
65 and over	2,011	15.2%
Median age	32.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 50.1%

Hispanic or Latino 15.7%

Asian 11.3%

Other race 9.1%

Two or more races 7.9%

Black or African American 3%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 2.6%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	7,880	50.1%
Hispanic or Latino	2,476	15.7%
Asian	1,780	11.3%
Other race	1,435	9.1%
Two or more races	1,246	7.9%
Black or African American	468	3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	414	2.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	40	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 1.7%

$10k–$15k 2.5%

$15k–$25k 8.7%

$25k–$35k 7.8%

$35k–$50k 18.0%

$50k–$75k 22.3%

$75k–$100k 11.2%

$100k–$150k 14.4%

$150k–$200k 8.4%

$200k+ 4.9%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	1.7%
$10k–$15k	2.5%
$15k–$25k	8.7%
$25k–$35k	7.8%
$35k–$50k	18.0%
$50k–$75k	22.3%
$75k–$100k	11.2%
$100k–$150k	14.4%
$150k–$200k	8.4%
$200k+	4.9%
Median income	$56,608

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 0.9%

$50k–$100k 14.6%

$100k–$150k 28.7%

$150k–$200k 15.7%

$200k–$300k 23.6%

$300k–$500k 11.3%

$500k–$1M 5.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$161,800
Median rent / month	$787
Owner occupied	63.0%
Renter occupied	37.0%
Vacant	6.8%
Single-family detached	64.5%
Large apartment buildings	4.7%
Mobile homes	1.7%
Median rooms	5.1
Avg household size (owned)	3.06

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	10.2%
2000–2009	2.0%
1990–1999	6.1%
1980–1989	12.0%
1970–1979	19.0%
1960–1969	10.4%
1950–1959	12.2%
1940–1949	4.8%
1939 or earlier	23.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	4.8%
1 bedroom	15.8%
2 bedrooms	31.3%
3 bedrooms	31.1%
4 bedrooms	10.7%
5+ bedrooms	6.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.6%
1 vehicle	32.4%
2 vehicles	34.5%
3 or more	27.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	60.0%
Electricity	32.9%
Propane / LP gas	6.8%
No fuel used	0.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,078	44.1%
Cohabiting couple	526	11.2%
Male householder, no spouse	928	19.7%
Female householder, no spouse	1,182	25.1%
Households with children under 18	1,382	29.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,325	28.1%
Average household size	2.63

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	38.2%	32.2%
Married	44.9%	45.9%
Separated	4.3%	3.9%
Widowed	3.7%	9.8%
Divorced	8.9%	8.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 16.9%

Some HS, no diploma 10.8%

HS graduate 29.0%

Some college, no degree 12.2%

Associate's degree 8.8%

Bachelor's degree 13.9%

Graduate / professional 8.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	72.3%
Bachelor's or higher	22.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	262	6.9%
Kindergarten	198	5.2%
Elementary school	1,505	39.5%
High school	824	21.6%
College / grad school	1,019	26.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 37.4%

Education & healthcare 19.8%

Retail trade 14.1%

Construction 5.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 4.4%

Professional & management 4.3%

Finance & real estate 3.4%

Other services 3.3%

Agriculture & mining 2.9%

Public administration 2.1%

Transportation & utilities 1.6%

Wholesale trade 0.8%

Information 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	20.9%
Service	11.9%
Sales & office	17.6%
Natural resources & construction	7.5%
Production & transportation	42.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	84.4%
Government	10.7%
Self-employed	4.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	62.5%
Carpool	22.0%
Public transit	0.5%
Walk	8.5%
Other means	0.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	12.1

Poverty

All people 7.1%

Under 18 years 5.2%

18 and over 7.8%

Married-couple families 2.4%

Female-led households 7.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	27.0%
Retirement income	15.9%
Supplemental Security	4.2%
Cash public assistance	2.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	9.1%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	30.7%
High cholesterol	31.2%
Heart disease	6.5%
Stroke	3.2%
Asthma	9.3%
Arthritis	21.7%
Kidney disease	3.0%
Pulmonary disease	6.9%
Cancer	6.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	19.2%
No physical activity	30.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.6%
Fair or poor health	16.5%
Poor mental health	14.3%
Poor physical health	10.5%
No health insurance	17.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)	74.0%
Visited dentist	60.1%
Cholesterol screening	84.0%
Teeth loss	18.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	251	2.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	8.8%
Under 18	4.2%
18–64 years	6.9%
65 and over	25.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	68.8%
Public insurance	37.9%
Uninsured under 19	2.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	12,382	93.4%
Spanish	3,193	25.8%
Other Indo-European	2,061	16.6%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	1,012	8.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	9,520	71.8%
Born in same state	9,291	70.1%
Born in different state	6,747	50.9%
Foreign born	229	1.7%
Naturalized citizen	3,743	28.2%
Not a US citizen	1,603	42.8%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	632	4.8%
French	448	3.4%
Polish	286	2.2%
Arab	183	1.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	141	1.1%
Dutch	126	1%
German	25	0.2%
Irish	11	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	35.5%
Internet access	95.1%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Storm Lake, IA have?

Storm Lake, IA has one ZIP code: 50588. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.