What Cheer ZIP Codes — Keokuk County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in What Cheer, Iowa and it is 50268. Area code: 641.

ZIP codes

46.56

sq mi land

0.05

sq mi water

641

area code

What Cheer, IA ZIP code map

About What Cheer, IA

What Cheer, Iowa is a charming and small city located in the heart of Keokuk County. Known for its friendly community and rural atmosphere, What Cheer offers residents a peaceful lifestyle with convenient access to nearby amenities. The city is a quaint representation of Midwestern character and traditions.

Location & geography

Situated in the southern part of Iowa, What Cheer covers a land area of 46.56 square miles and features a minor water area of 0.05 square miles. The city is surrounded by rolling fields and gently sloping terrain typical of this region. Nearby cities include Sigourney, situated approximately 14 miles to the northwest, and Oskaloosa, about 24 miles to the west.

Community & economy

What Cheer has a close-knit community that embodies the spirit of small-town living with community events and gatherings. The local economy is primarily supported by agriculture and small businesses, which contribute to the area's charm. Daily life often revolves around local schools, parks, and the strong community ties that connect residents.

Transportation

What Cheer is accessible via Highway 63, which connects it to larger thoroughfares in the region. The nearest commercial airport is in Cedar Rapids, located approximately 50 miles to the northeast, providing access to both domestic and regional flights. Public transportation options may be limited, but the area's road network is suitable for personal vehicles.

History

Founded in the mid-19th century, What Cheer has deep roots in agricultural traditions and was originally established as a railroad town. Throughout its history, the city has faced various economic changes but has maintained its farming community as a key industry. Notable events in its past include annual celebrations that highlight local history and culture.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about What Cheer is that its name is derived from a term of greeting from the early settlers. This small city is also known for hosting the annual What Cheer Corn Carnival, which attracts visitors from surrounding areas.

ZIP codes for What Cheer, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
50268	What Cheer	Keokuk	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,101

Population

37.8

Median age

$50,313

Median household income

$23,570

Per capita income

$72,900

Median home value

$791

Median monthly rent

77.2%

Home ownership

19.0%

Poverty rate

9.0%

Unemployment

382

Housing units

8.1%

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	347	31.5%
18 and over	754	68.5%
65 and over	179	16.3%
Median age	37.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 94.4%

Two or more races 2%

Black or African American 1.4%

Hispanic or Latino 1.3%

Other race 0.9%

Group	Count	%
White	1,053	94.4%
Two or more races	22	2%
Black or African American	16	1.4%
Hispanic or Latino	14	1.3%
Other race	10	0.9%

Household income

Under $10k 4.1%

$10k–$15k 9.9%

$15k–$25k 12.2%

$25k–$35k 10.6%

$35k–$50k 13.2%

$50k–$75k 21.5%

$75k–$100k 12.2%

$100k–$150k 14.4%

$150k–$200k 1.3%

$200k+ 0.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.1%
$10k–$15k	9.9%
$15k–$25k	12.2%
$25k–$35k	10.6%
$35k–$50k	13.2%
$50k–$75k	21.5%
$75k–$100k	12.2%
$100k–$150k	14.4%
$150k–$200k	1.3%
$200k+	0.8%
Median income	$50,313

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 34.4%

$50k–$100k 34.8%

$100k–$150k 13.8%

$150k–$200k 3.0%

$200k–$300k 4.3%

$300k–$500k 6.9%

$500k–$1M 3.0%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$72,900
Median rent / month	$791
Owner occupied	77.2%
Renter occupied	22.8%
Vacant	16.3%
Single-family detached	87.7%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	6.6%
Median rooms	6.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.69

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	1.7%
2000–2009	9.3%
1990–1999	2.1%
1980–1989	5.5%
1970–1979	13.1%
1960–1969	2.8%
1950–1959	4.0%
1940–1949	5.5%
1939 or earlier	55.9%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.5%
1 bedroom	7.4%
2 bedrooms	29.2%
3 bedrooms	33.7%
4 bedrooms	16.9%
5+ bedrooms	11.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.1%
1 vehicle	25.8%
2 vehicles	40.3%
3 or more	29.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	45.1%
Electricity	19.2%
Propane / LP gas	30.1%
Fuel oil	2.3%
Wood	2.0%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	191	48.4%
Cohabiting couple	56	14.2%
Male householder, no spouse	77	19.5%
Female householder, no spouse	71	18.0%
Households with children under 18	132	33.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	133	33.7%
Average household size	2.79

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	25.1%	30.2%
Married	50.2%	52.1%
Separated	1.6%	0.8%
Widowed	3.6%	8.8%
Divorced	19.5%	8.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.8%

Some HS, no diploma 4.2%

HS graduate 59.5%

Some college, no degree 15.7%

Associate's degree 9.8%

Bachelor's degree 7.8%

Graduate / professional 0.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	93.0%
Bachelor's or higher	8.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	11	3.3%
Kindergarten	41	12.2%
Elementary school	170	50.7%
High school	86	25.7%
College / grad school	27	8.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Agriculture & mining 19.9%

Manufacturing 18.7%

Retail trade 14.2%

Other services 9.0%

Construction 8.5%

Education & healthcare 6.6%

Professional & management 6.1%

Wholesale trade 5.9%

Transportation & utilities 3.8%

Public administration 3.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 1.7%

Finance & real estate 1.4%

Information 0.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	27.4%
Service	9.2%
Sales & office	24.6%
Natural resources & construction	11.6%
Production & transportation	27.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	74.2%
Government	9.7%
Self-employed	14.7%
Unpaid family workers	1.4%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	69.7%
Carpool	16.7%
Public transit	2.1%
Walk	2.1%
Other means	1.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	25.2

Poverty

All people 19.0%

Under 18 years 22.8%

18 and over 17.2%

Married-couple families 15.2%

Female-led households 16.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	37.7%
Retirement income	18.5%
Supplemental Security	5.3%
Cash public assistance	0.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	26.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	39.4%
High cholesterol	36.2%
Heart disease	8.6%
Stroke	4.0%
Asthma	9.8%
Arthritis	29.8%
Kidney disease	3.6%
Pulmonary disease	9.0%
Cancer	8.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	20.0%
No physical activity	29.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.1%
Fair or poor health	16.2%
Poor mental health	13.8%
Poor physical health	11.8%
No health insurance	10.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.7%
Visited dentist	62.3%
Cholesterol screening	88.4%
Teeth loss	16.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	33	4.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	24.6%
Under 18	14.1%
18–64 years	26.3%
65 and over	39.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	52.2%
Public insurance	59.1%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,048	95.2%
Spanish	25	2.4%
Other Indo-European	23	2.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	2	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,078	97.9%
Born in same state	1,078	97.9%
Born in different state	984	89.4%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	23	2.1%
Not a US citizen	5	21.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	199	18.1%
French	94	8.5%
English	63	5.7%
Arab	50	4.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	26	2.4%
Dutch	7	0.6%
German	2	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	35.9%
Internet access	83.3%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does What Cheer, IA have?

What Cheer, IA has one ZIP code: 50268. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.