Thornton ZIP Code List — Cerro Gordo County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Thornton, Iowa and it is 50479. Area code: 641.

ZIP codes

58.21

sq mi land

0.00

sq mi water

641

area code

Thornton, IA ZIP code map

About Thornton, IA

Thornton, Iowa, is a small but charming city located within Cerro Gordo County. Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, it offers a quiet lifestyle with a close-knit community vibe. Residents enjoy the benefits of small-town living while being a short drive away from larger urban centers.

Location & geography

Thornton is situated in north-central Iowa, surrounded by the picturesque landscapes of Cerro Gordo County. The city is approximately 10 miles northeast of Mason City, 12 miles southwest of Clear Lake, and around 19 miles southeast of Forest City. With a total land area of 58.21 square miles and no significant water bodies, the terrain is predominantly dry and features rolling hills typical of the region.

Community & economy

The community of Thornton comprises friendly residents who prioritize family and local activities. Agriculture plays a significant role in the local economy, with many residents involved in farming and related industries. Daily life is characterized by local gatherings, events, and a strong emphasis on maintaining a supportive and welcoming atmosphere.

Transportation

Thornton is accessible via Iowa Highway 3, which connects the city to neighboring towns and cities effectively. The nearest major airport is Mason City Municipal Airport, located about 12 miles southwest of Thornton, facilitating air travel for residents and visitors. Public transit options may be limited, so many residents rely on personal vehicles to navigate the area.

History

Founded in the late 19th century, Thornton stemmed from the expanding railway network of the region, which fostered economic growth and connectivity. Historically, the city has focused on agriculture as its primary industry, shaping its development over the decades. Notable events include local celebrations and fairs that continue to draw residents together and celebrate their community spirit.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Thornton is that it is home to the famous Thornton Reindeer Ranch, which attracts visitors during the holiday season. Additionally, despite its small size, the town is known for hosting annual events that celebrate its agricultural roots.

ZIP codes for Thornton, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
50479	Thornton	Cerro Gordo	View map

Demographics & statistics

736

Population

29.5

Median age

$63,750

Median household income

$32,044

Per capita income

$109,600

Median home value

$655

Median monthly rent

78.3%

Home ownership

6.9%

Poverty rate

1.4%

Unemployment

249

Housing units

24.3%

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	224	30.4%
18 and over	512	69.6%
65 and over	127	17.3%
Median age	29.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 92.2%

Two or more races 3.6%

Hispanic or Latino 3.2%

Other race 0.8%

Asian 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	701	92.2%
Two or more races	27	3.6%
Hispanic or Latino	24	3.2%
Other race	6	0.8%
Asian	2	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 0.3%

$10k–$15k 1.3%

$15k–$25k 10.3%

$25k–$35k 8.0%

$35k–$50k 8.3%

$50k–$75k 28.3%

$75k–$100k 19.3%

$100k–$150k 12.7%

$150k–$200k 3.7%

$200k+ 7.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	0.3%
$10k–$15k	1.3%
$15k–$25k	10.3%
$25k–$35k	8.0%
$35k–$50k	8.3%
$50k–$75k	28.3%
$75k–$100k	19.3%
$100k–$150k	12.7%
$150k–$200k	3.7%
$200k+	7.7%
Median income	$63,750

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 11.9%

$50k–$100k 31.1%

$100k–$150k 21.3%

$150k–$200k 18.3%

$200k–$300k 6.4%

$300k–$500k 8.1%

$500k–$1M 2.1%

$1M+ 0.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$109,600
Median rent / month	$655
Owner occupied	78.3%
Renter occupied	21.7%
Vacant	4.5%
Single-family detached	90.4%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	1.6%
Median rooms	6.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.57

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.6%
2010–2019	0.0%
2000–2009	3.8%
1990–1999	8.0%
1980–1989	1.9%
1970–1979	9.2%
1960–1969	13.1%
1950–1959	12.1%
1940–1949	4.5%
1939 or earlier	46.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	5.7%
2 bedrooms	31.2%
3 bedrooms	38.9%
4 bedrooms	23.6%
5+ bedrooms	0.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	1.0%
1 vehicle	22.7%
2 vehicles	51.0%
3 or more	25.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	60.3%
Electricity	11.7%
Propane / LP gas	28.0%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	182	60.7%
Cohabiting couple	23	7.7%
Male householder, no spouse	61	20.3%
Female householder, no spouse	34	11.3%
Households with children under 18	85	28.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	82	27.3%
Average household size	2.45

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	23.6%	16.9%
Married	65.0%	73.7%
Separated	0.0%	0.4%
Widowed	5.3%	4.3%
Divorced	6.1%	4.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.0%

Some HS, no diploma 2.1%

HS graduate 33.1%

Some college, no degree 26.4%

Associate's degree 14.1%

Bachelor's degree 22.7%

Graduate / professional 1.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	97.9%
Bachelor's or higher	24.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	42	25.1%
Kindergarten	17	10.2%
Elementary school	71	42.5%
High school	12	7.2%
College / grad school	25	15.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 21.2%

Education & healthcare 13.1%

Retail trade 12.5%

Agriculture & mining 11.9%

Transportation & utilities 8.1%

Construction 7.0%

Arts, food & hospitality 6.7%

Finance & real estate 6.4%

Wholesale trade 4.7%

Professional & management 3.8%

Other services 3.2%

Information 0.9%

Public administration 0.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	23.5%
Service	8.7%
Sales & office	23.8%
Natural resources & construction	12.2%
Production & transportation	31.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	85.8%
Government	6.1%
Self-employed	8.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	80.1%
Carpool	12.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	3.5%
Other means	0.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	23.8

Poverty

All people 6.9%

Under 18 years 5.8%

18 and over 7.4%

Married-couple families 2.2%

Female-led households 33.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	30.7%
Retirement income	27.7%
Supplemental Security	2.7%
Cash public assistance	1.7%
Food stamps / SNAP	3.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	34.8%
High cholesterol	33.7%
Heart disease	7.4%
Stroke	3.2%
Asthma	9.0%
Arthritis	26.5%
Kidney disease	3.0%
Pulmonary disease	6.8%
Cancer	8.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	20.9%
No physical activity	23.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.9%
Fair or poor health	12.1%
Poor mental health	12.6%
Poor physical health	9.4%
No health insurance	8.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.4%
Visited dentist	70.3%
Cholesterol screening	89.8%
Teeth loss	12.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	43	8.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	9.2%
Under 18	2.7%
18–64 years	8.3%
65 and over	23.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	84.1%
Public insurance	34.6%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	633	86.0%
Spanish	0	0.0%
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)	731	99.3%
Born in same state	730	99.2%
Born in different state	596	81.0%
Foreign born	1	0.1%
Naturalized citizen	5	0.7%
Not a US citizen	3	60.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	43	5.8%
Polish	35	4.8%
French	30	4.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	9	1.2%
Dutch	8	1.1%
Arab	7	1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.8%
Internet access	95.3%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Thornton, IA?

Thornton, IA has one ZIP code: 50479.

What is the main ZIP code for Thornton, IA?

The primary ZIP code for Thornton, IA is 50479. The city uses area code 641 for phone service.

What county is Thornton, IA in?

Thornton is located in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa.

How many ZIP codes are in Thornton, IA?

Thornton, IA has 1 ZIP code.

What is the ZIP code for downtown Thornton, Iowa?

Downtown Thornton, Iowa is located in ZIP code 50479, which serves the entire city in Cerro Gordo County.

What ZIP code should I use when mailing items to businesses in Thornton, IA?

All businesses and residents in Thornton should use ZIP code 50479 for mailing addresses in the city.