Ulen ZIP Codes — Clay County, MN

There is one unique ZIP code in Ulen, Minnesota and it is 56585. Area code: 218.

ZIP codes

125.47

sq mi land

0.22

sq mi water

218

area code

Ulen, MN ZIP code map

About Ulen, MN

Ulen is a charming city located in the state of Minnesota. Nestled within Clay County, Ulen boasts a rich community feel and serves as a peaceful retreat for residents and visitors alike. With its unique blend of rural charm and accessibility to larger urban areas, Ulen is a hidden gem in the western part of the state.

Location & geography

Ulen is situated in the northwest region of Minnesota and lies approximately 30 miles northeast of Fargo, North Dakota, and about 20 miles southeast of Moorhead, Minnesota. The city covers a total land area of 125.47 square miles, with a very small water area of 0.22 square miles. This diverse terrain allows for a variety of outdoor activities, making it an inviting area for nature enthusiasts.

Community & economy

The character of Ulen is defined by its welcoming atmosphere and a close-knit community that values both tradition and neighborly connections. Local industries contribute to the economy, primarily through agriculture, which has long been the backbone of the area. Daily life in Ulen features a blend of local events, community gatherings, and outdoor activities, fostering a sense of belonging among its residents.

Transportation

Ulen is conveniently accessed via Highway 32, which runs through the city, connecting it to nearby towns and providing easy routes for commuting. The nearest major airport is Hector International Airport in Fargo, which is approximately 30 miles away, offering both domestic and limited international flights. Public transit options are limited, but residents typically rely on personal vehicles for transportation.

History

Ulen was founded in the late 19th century, primarily as an agricultural hub for the surrounding area. Over the years, key industries have included farming and small-scale local businesses that support the community's needs. The city has survived various challenges and has continued to thrive, maintaining its identity as a rural community rich in history.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Ulen is that it is home to a significant number of historical buildings that reflect the architectural styles of the late 1800s. Additionally, the city hosts events that celebrate its agricultural heritage, attracting visitors from neighboring areas and reinforcing its rural roots.

ZIP codes for Ulen, MN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
56585	Ulen	Clay	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,063

Population

50.3

Median age

$58,098

Median household income

$32,642

Per capita income

$196,000

Median home value

$579

Median monthly rent

81.6%

Home ownership

15.8%

Poverty rate

2.9%

Unemployment

434

Housing units

15.6%

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	241	22.7%
18 and over	822	77.3%
65 and over	343	32.3%
Median age	50.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 94.7%

Two or more races 2.6%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1.7%

Black or African American 0.4%

Hispanic or Latino 0.3%

Other race 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	1,010	94.7%
Two or more races	28	2.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	18	1.7%
Black or African American	4	0.4%
Hispanic or Latino	3	0.3%
Other race	3	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 10.4%

$10k–$15k 4.1%

$15k–$25k 6.8%

$25k–$35k 12.4%

$35k–$50k 11.4%

$50k–$75k 14.1%

$75k–$100k 11.4%

$100k–$150k 23.0%

$150k–$200k 4.8%

$200k+ 1.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	10.4%
$10k–$15k	4.1%
$15k–$25k	6.8%
$25k–$35k	12.4%
$35k–$50k	11.4%
$50k–$75k	14.1%
$75k–$100k	11.4%
$100k–$150k	23.0%
$150k–$200k	4.8%
$200k+	1.7%
Median income	$58,098

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.8%

$50k–$100k 15.2%

$100k–$150k 19.8%

$150k–$200k 11.2%

$200k–$300k 16.0%

$300k–$500k 27.9%

$500k–$1M 5.1%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$196,000
Median rent / month	$579
Owner occupied	81.6%
Renter occupied	18.4%
Vacant	7.6%
Single-family detached	70.4%
Large apartment buildings	4.2%
Mobile homes	8.8%
Median rooms	6.6
Avg household size (owned)	2.27

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	3.4%
2000–2009	17.0%
1990–1999	12.4%
1980–1989	5.7%
1970–1979	16.3%
1960–1969	9.8%
1950–1959	7.8%
1940–1949	5.2%
1939 or earlier	22.4%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.8%
1 bedroom	12.4%
2 bedrooms	17.4%
3 bedrooms	35.8%
4 bedrooms	28.5%
5+ bedrooms	5.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.4%
1 vehicle	20.7%
2 vehicles	31.5%
3 or more	42.4%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	21.3%
Electricity	25.7%
Propane / LP gas	39.1%
Fuel oil	7.0%
Wood	6.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	226	46.8%
Cohabiting couple	22	4.6%
Male householder, no spouse	132	27.3%
Female householder, no spouse	103	21.3%
Households with children under 18	135	28.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	210	43.5%
Average household size	2.13

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	20.6%	14.1%
Married	53.8%	54.6%
Separated	0.5%	0.0%
Widowed	9.3%	21.7%
Divorced	15.8%	9.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.8%

Some HS, no diploma 5.6%

HS graduate 36.4%

Some college, no degree 17.8%

Associate's degree 23.8%

Bachelor's degree 13.9%

Graduate / professional 1.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	93.6%
Bachelor's or higher	15.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	7	3.7%
Kindergarten	4	2.1%
Elementary school	115	60.5%
High school	51	26.8%
College / grad school	13	6.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 27.5%

Finance & real estate 13.6%

Construction 12.9%

Agriculture & mining 12.7%

Manufacturing 8.2%

Retail trade 6.0%

Professional & management 4.2%

Other services 4.0%

Arts, food & hospitality 3.5%

Transportation & utilities 3.2%

Public administration 2.7%

Wholesale trade 1.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	53.6%
Service	10.4%
Sales & office	10.2%
Natural resources & construction	17.4%
Production & transportation	8.4%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	58.1%
Government	24.1%
Self-employed	17.4%
Unpaid family workers	0.5%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	65.6%
Carpool	15.3%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	3.2%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	27.4

Poverty

All people 15.8%

Under 18 years 24.5%

18 and over 13.1%

Married-couple families 5.8%

Female-led households 30.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	45.3%
Retirement income	23.8%
Supplemental Security	7.2%
Cash public assistance	4.3%
Food stamps / SNAP	10.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	34.3%
High cholesterol	33.2%
Heart disease	7.6%
Stroke	3.4%
Asthma	8.4%
Arthritis	27.0%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	5.9%
Cancer	8.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	19.8%
No physical activity	21.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	27.7%
Fair or poor health	12.0%
Poor mental health	12.4%
Poor physical health	9.6%
No health insurance	10.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)	72.3%
Visited dentist	71.5%
Cholesterol screening	90.6%
Teeth loss	11.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	69	8.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	21.6%
Under 18	3.3%
18–64 years	19.4%
65 and over	39.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	51.1%
Public insurance	64.5%
Uninsured under 19	6.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	989	93.0%
Spanish	2	0.2%
Other Indo-European	2	0.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,060	99.7%
Born in same state	1,059	99.6%
Born in different state	655	61.6%
Foreign born	1	0.1%
Naturalized citizen	3	0.3%
Not a US citizen	2	66.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	445	41.9%
French	53	5%
Italian	30	2.8%
Dutch	7	0.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	4	0.4%
Irish	3	0.3%
Arab	2	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	45.4%
Internet access	84.7%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Ulen, MN have?

Ulen, MN has one ZIP code: 56585. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.