Thompson ZIP Codes — Winnebago County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Thompson, Iowa and it is 50478. Area code: 641.

ZIP codes

76.47

sq mi land

0.03

sq mi water

641

area code

Thompson, IA ZIP code map

About Thompson, IA

Thompson, Iowa, is a small city located in the heart of Winnebago County. With a ZIP code of 50478, this quaint community offers a peaceful lifestyle with a friendly atmosphere. Residents enjoy the charm of rural living while being part of a well-connected community.

Location & geography

Thompson is situated in the north-central part of Iowa, surrounded by picturesque landscapes typical of the region. Nearby cities include Forest City, which is approximately 18 miles to the southwest, Buffalo Center about 8 miles to the east, and Lake Mills around 17 miles to the northwest. The total land area of Thompson is 76.47 square miles, complemented by a minimal water area of 0.03 square miles.

Community & economy

The character of Thompson is warm and welcoming, with a close-knit community atmosphere that fosters connection among residents. The local economy is primarily driven by agriculture, along with small businesses that cater to the needs of the residents and visitors. Daily life in Thompson is characterized by community events, local gatherings, and a strong sense of tradition.

Transportation

Thompson is accessible via several key highways, including Iowa State Highway 9, which connects the city to surrounding areas. The nearest major airport is the Mason City Municipal Airport, located around 30 miles to the southwest. Public transit options are limited, but the community's small size makes it conducive for walking or biking.

History

Thompson was founded in the late 19th century, primarily as an agricultural hub serving the surrounding farming community. Over the years, it has maintained its agricultural roots while also developing small local businesses that contribute to its economy. Notable events in Thompson's history include community fairs and celebrations that highlight the city's agricultural legacy.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Thompson is that while it is a small city, it has a rich history dating back to its founding, which reflects the broader agricultural practices of Iowa. Another interesting aspect is its serene landscape, which makes it a great spot for outdoor activities and local festivals.

ZIP codes for Thompson, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
50478	Thompson	Winnebago	View map

Demographics & statistics

788

Population

55.7

Median age

$49,079

Median household income

$37,121

Per capita income

$96,000

Median home value

$684

Median monthly rent

81.0%

Home ownership

6.0%

Poverty rate

2.4%

Unemployment

418

Housing units

31.0%

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	138	17.5%
18 and over	650	82.5%
65 and over	261	33.1%
Median age	55.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 82.7%

Hispanic or Latino 8.3%

Two or more races 8.1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.7%

Other race 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	710	82.7%
Hispanic or Latino	71	8.3%
Two or more races	70	8.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	6	0.7%
Other race	2	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 5.0%

$10k–$15k 1.7%

$15k–$25k 8.1%

$25k–$35k 19.2%

$35k–$50k 17.8%

$50k–$75k 10.4%

$75k–$100k 17.3%

$100k–$150k 13.0%

$150k–$200k 4.3%

$200k+ 3.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.0%
$10k–$15k	1.7%
$15k–$25k	8.1%
$25k–$35k	19.2%
$35k–$50k	17.8%
$50k–$75k	10.4%
$75k–$100k	17.3%
$100k–$150k	13.0%
$150k–$200k	4.3%
$200k+	3.3%
Median income	$49,079

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 18.7%

$50k–$100k 37.1%

$100k–$150k 16.4%

$150k–$200k 16.1%

$200k–$300k 6.1%

$300k–$500k 2.6%

$500k–$1M 2.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$96,000
Median rent / month	$684
Owner occupied	81.0%
Renter occupied	19.0%
Vacant	15.3%
Single-family detached	96.6%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	0.8%
Median rooms	5.7
Avg household size (owned)	1.83

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	0.4%
2000–2009	0.6%
1990–1999	4.6%
1980–1989	5.4%
1970–1979	12.2%
1960–1969	9.8%
1950–1959	20.9%
1940–1949	5.8%
1939 or earlier	40.2%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	8.0%
2 bedrooms	28.1%
3 bedrooms	43.8%
4 bedrooms	16.3%
5+ bedrooms	3.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.6%
1 vehicle	32.5%
2 vehicles	28.4%
3 or more	36.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	25.1%
Electricity	13.0%
Propane / LP gas	52.6%
Fuel oil	4.3%
Wood	1.2%
No fuel used	1.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	162	38.4%
Cohabiting couple	4	0.9%
Male householder, no spouse	191	45.3%
Female householder, no spouse	65	15.4%
Households with children under 18	69	16.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	207	49.1%
Average household size	1.87

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	27.4%	16.1%
Married	43.6%	59.9%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	8.8%	11.7%
Divorced	20.2%	12.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.5%

Some HS, no diploma 4.9%

HS graduate 28.4%

Some college, no degree 19.0%

Associate's degree 15.4%

Bachelor's degree 26.9%

Graduate / professional 4.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	93.7%
Bachelor's or higher	31.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	1	0.7%
Kindergarten	1	0.7%
Elementary school	80	54.4%
High school	32	21.8%
College / grad school	33	22.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Retail trade 20.0%

Manufacturing 19.2%

Agriculture & mining 9.9%

Construction 9.4%

Education & healthcare 8.1%

Other services 7.6%

Transportation & utilities 5.7%

Wholesale trade 5.4%

Finance & real estate 3.9%

Professional & management 3.7%

Public administration 3.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 2.7%

Information 1.0%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	27.3%
Service	4.7%
Sales & office	20.4%
Natural resources & construction	24.6%
Production & transportation	22.9%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	82.0%
Government	10.6%
Self-employed	6.7%
Unpaid family workers	0.7%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	80.6%
Carpool	1.5%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	2.7%
Other means	4.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	20.2

Poverty

All people 6.0%

Under 18 years 4.5%

18 and over 6.3%

Married-couple families 3.7%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	50.9%
Retirement income	29.9%
Supplemental Security	0.7%
Cash public assistance	1.7%
Food stamps / SNAP	5.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.4%
High cholesterol	37.2%
Heart disease	7.9%
Stroke	3.5%
Asthma	9.2%
Arthritis	27.6%
Kidney disease	3.3%
Pulmonary disease	7.7%
Cancer	8.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	20.1%
No physical activity	24.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.3%
Fair or poor health	13.8%
Poor mental health	12.8%
Poor physical health	10.4%
No health insurance	9.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.4%
Visited dentist	67.3%
Cholesterol screening	90.1%
Teeth loss	13.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	106	16.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.5%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	13.4%
65 and over	23.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	71.6%
Public insurance	52.5%
Uninsured under 19	5.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	768	97.5%
Spanish	11	1.4%
Other Indo-European	11	1.4%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	777	98.6%
Born in same state	758	96.2%
Born in different state	434	55.1%
Foreign born	19	2.4%
Naturalized citizen	11	1.4%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	218	27.7%
Dutch	63	8%
French	62	7.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	49	6.2%
English	13	1.6%
Arab	10	1.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	53.6%
Internet access	92.4%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Thompson, IA have?

Thompson, IA has one ZIP code: 50478. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.