Washta ZIP Code List — Cherokee County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Washta, Iowa and it is 51061. Area code: 712.

ZIP codes

48.60

sq mi land

0.06

sq mi water

712

area code

Washta, IA ZIP code map

About Washta, IA

Washta is a small city located in Cherokee County, Iowa. It is known for its friendly community and tranquil atmosphere, making it an ideal place for those seeking a quieter lifestyle. The city has a rich local history and is situated in a picturesque setting, surrounded by the beautiful landscape of northwestern Iowa.

Location & geography

Washta is strategically located in the northwestern part of Iowa, providing easy access to surrounding areas. The city is approximately 18 miles northeast of Sioux City and about 14 miles southwest of Cherokee, which are two of the larger cities in the region. The total land area of Washta is 48.60 square miles, with a small water area of 0.06 square miles, contributing to its rural charm.

Community & economy

The community of Washta is characterized by its close-knit atmosphere, where residents often know each other by name. The local economy is supported by agriculture and small businesses, providing essential services to the community. Daily life in Washta centers around community events, local parks, and the surrounding countryside, which offers residents a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities.

Transportation

Washta is accessible via Highway 31, which connects it to nearby towns and cities within Cherokee County. The nearest major airport is the Sioux Gateway Airport, located about 20 miles from Washta, providing regional flights for travelers. Public transportation options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary mode of transit.

History

Washta was established in the late 19th century, primarily as a farming community. Over the years, it developed a strong local economy centered around agriculture, with various local businesses serving the needs of the residents. Notably, Washta has maintained a sense of community through various local events and gatherings that celebrate its heritage.

Did you know?

One little-known fact about Washta is its unique name, which is derived from a Native American word meaning 'place of the big trees.' The city is also surprising for having a strong agricultural tradition that has shaped its identity and community spirit over the years.

ZIP codes for Washta, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
51061	Washta	Cherokee	View map

Demographics & statistics

330

Population

58.5

Median age

$57,917

Median household income

$35,368

Per capita income

$90,000

Median home value

$525

Median monthly rent

80.0%

Home ownership

9.4%

Poverty rate

13.3%

Unemployment

194

Housing units

14.8%

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	35	10.6%
18 and over	295	89.4%
65 and over	148	44.8%
Median age	58.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 95.5%

Asian 2.1%

Two or more races 1.5%

Hispanic or Latino 0.9%

Group	Count	%
White	318	95.5%
Asian	7	2.1%
Two or more races	5	1.5%
Hispanic or Latino	3	0.9%

Household income

Under $10k 0.6%

$10k–$15k 1.2%

$15k–$25k 7.9%

$25k–$35k 20.0%

$35k–$50k 17.0%

$50k–$75k 10.9%

$75k–$100k 10.3%

$100k–$150k 25.5%

$150k–$200k 6.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	0.6%
$10k–$15k	1.2%
$15k–$25k	7.9%
$25k–$35k	20.0%
$35k–$50k	17.0%
$50k–$75k	10.9%
$75k–$100k	10.3%
$100k–$150k	25.5%
$150k–$200k	6.7%
Median income	$57,917

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 28.0%

$50k–$100k 27.3%

$100k–$150k 3.8%

$150k–$200k 23.5%

$200k–$300k 14.4%

$300k–$500k 3.0%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$90,000
Median rent / month	$525
Owner occupied	80.0%
Renter occupied	20.0%
Vacant	27.3%
Single-family detached	96.0%
Large apartment buildings	0.4%
Mobile homes	1.8%
Median rooms	7.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.12

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	0.4%
2000–2009	1.8%
1990–1999	2.2%
1980–1989	0.4%
1970–1979	5.7%
1960–1969	5.3%
1950–1959	9.7%
1940–1949	9.7%
1939 or earlier	64.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.4%
1 bedroom	3.1%
2 bedrooms	36.1%
3 bedrooms	25.1%
4 bedrooms	27.8%
5+ bedrooms	7.5%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.0%
1 vehicle	9.7%
2 vehicles	33.3%
3 or more	53.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	10.3%
Electricity	9.1%
Propane / LP gas	75.2%
Wood	0.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	75	45.5%
Cohabiting couple	30	18.2%
Male householder, no spouse	26	15.8%
Female householder, no spouse	34	20.6%
Households with children under 18	21	12.7%
Households with seniors (65+)	95	57.6%
Average household size	2.00

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	19.7%	13.9%
Married	49.3%	45.6%
Separated	0.0%	0.6%
Widowed	17.1%	26.6%
Divorced	13.8%	13.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.0%

Some HS, no diploma 6.4%

HS graduate 39.9%

Some college, no degree 25.8%

Associate's degree 13.1%

Bachelor's degree 14.1%

Graduate / professional 0.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	93.6%
Bachelor's or higher	14.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	15	40.5%
High school	15	40.5%
College / grad school	7	18.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 24.1%

Agriculture & mining 21.9%

Manufacturing 21.9%

Retail trade 8.8%

Professional & management 5.1%

Wholesale trade 4.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 4.4%

Finance & real estate 3.6%

Construction 2.2%

Transportation & utilities 2.2%

Information 0.7%

Other services 0.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	24.8%
Service	13.9%
Sales & office	21.2%
Natural resources & construction	18.2%
Production & transportation	21.9%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	73.0%
Government	16.1%
Self-employed	10.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	89.5%
Carpool	1.5%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	7.5%
Other means	1.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	27.9

Poverty

All people 9.4%

Under 18 years 8.6%

18 and over 9.5%

Married-couple families 2.7%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	58.8%
Retirement income	22.4%
Supplemental Security	0.0%
Cash public assistance	1.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	4.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.5%
High cholesterol	35.3%
Heart disease	7.4%
Stroke	3.3%
Asthma	9.1%
Arthritis	27.9%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	7.3%
Cancer	8.5%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	19.9%
No physical activity	23.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.9%
Fair or poor health	12.8%
Poor mental health	12.5%
Poor physical health	9.9%
No health insurance	8.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.4%
Visited dentist	69.1%
Cholesterol screening	90.6%
Teeth loss	11.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	27	9.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.5%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	4.1%
65 and over	28.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	78.5%
Public insurance	49.7%
Uninsured under 19	2.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	325	98.5%
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)	323	97.9%
Born in same state	323	97.9%
Born in different state	275	83.3%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	7	2.1%
Not a US citizen	7	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	43	13%
Italian	25	7.6%
Arab	24	7.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	18	5.5%
Dutch	12	3.6%
Polish	1	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	50.0%
Internet access	86.7%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Washta, IA?

Washta, IA has one ZIP code: 51061.

What is the main ZIP code for Washta, IA?

The primary ZIP code for Washta, IA is 51061. The city uses area code 712 for phone service.

What county is Washta, IA in?

Washta is located in Cherokee County, Iowa.

How many ZIP codes are in Washta, IA?

Washta, IA has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code covers the downtown area of Washta along Main Street?

The downtown area of Washta, including the main commercial district along Main Street, is located in ZIP code 51061.

What is the ZIP code for residences in the central Washta area near the city park?

Residences in central Washta near the city park are served by ZIP code 51061, which covers the entire incorporated area of the city.