Winterset ZIP Codes — Madison County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Winterset, Iowa and it is 50273. Area code: 515.

ZIP codes

195.25

sq mi land

0.19

sq mi water

515

area code

Winterset, IA ZIP code map

About Winterset, IA

Winterset, Iowa, is a charming small town nestled in the heart of Madison County, known for its rich history and scenic landscapes. The city is steeped in cultural significance, boasting a vibrant community and being the birthplace of cinema icon John Wayne. With its welcoming atmosphere and historical landmarks, Winterset attracts visitors year-round.

Location & geography

Situated approximately 36 miles southwest of Des Moines, Winterset is accessible via U.S. Highway 169. The town lies in a region characterized by rolling hills and beautiful countryside, with a total land area of 195.25 square miles and a water area of 0.19 square miles. Nearby cities include Carlisle, about 26 miles to the north, St. Charles, about 12 miles to the east, and Cumming, roughly 30 miles to the northeast.

Community & economy

Winterset has a strong sense of community, featuring various local events that reflect its friendly character and small-town charm. The local economy is supported by agriculture, retail, and tourism, with residents enjoying a slower pace of life compared to larger urban areas. Daily life revolves around neighborhood gatherings, community services, and celebrating the unique heritage of the area.

Transportation

Transportation options in Winterset include access to U.S. Highway 169, which connects the city to larger metropolitan areas. The nearest airport is the Des Moines International Airport, approximately 36 miles northeast, providing regional and national flight services. Local transportation is primarily by car, as public transit options are limited.

History

Winterset was founded in the mid-1800s and quickly grew as a hub for local agriculture and trade. The city gained national recognition as the birthplace of John Wayne, a legacy that continues to influence its cultural reputation. Notable events in Winterset's history include the annual John Wayne Birthplace Celebration, which attracts fans and tourists from all over.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Winterset is that it is home to the Madison County Courthouse, a beautiful architectural landmark featured in the film 'The Bridges of Madison County.' Additionally, the city is surrounded by several covered bridges, making it a popular destination for sightseeing and photography enthusiasts.

ZIP codes for Winterset, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
50273	Winterset	Madison	View map

Demographics & statistics

8,866

Population

39.3

Median age

$76,782

Median household income

$36,616

Per capita income

$212,200

Median home value

$985

Median monthly rent

79.3%

Home ownership

7.1%

Poverty rate

3.0%

Unemployment

3,082

Housing units

26.0%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

238

Under 5

227

392

5–9

375

294

10–14

280

329

15–19

315

209

20–24

200

434

25–34

415

680

35–44

650

587

45–54

561

256

55–59

245

223

60–64

213

513

65–74

490

282

75–84

270

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	2,299	25.9%
18 and over	6,567	74.1%
65 and over	1,743	19.7%
Median age	39.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 95.3%

Two or more races 2.1%

Black or African American 1.8%

Hispanic or Latino 0.4%

Asian 0.2%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	8,487	95.3%
Two or more races	183	2.1%
Black or African American	163	1.8%
Hispanic or Latino	38	0.4%
Asian	21	0.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native	12	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 1.6%

$10k–$15k 4.3%

$15k–$25k 3.3%

$25k–$35k 14.5%

$35k–$50k 10.1%

$50k–$75k 14.5%

$75k–$100k 16.1%

$100k–$150k 22.5%

$150k–$200k 9.0%

$200k+ 4.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	1.6%
$10k–$15k	4.3%
$15k–$25k	3.3%
$25k–$35k	14.5%
$35k–$50k	10.1%
$50k–$75k	14.5%
$75k–$100k	16.1%
$100k–$150k	22.5%
$150k–$200k	9.0%
$200k+	4.2%
Median income	$76,782

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 3.9%

$50k–$100k 3.9%

$100k–$150k 16.3%

$150k–$200k 22.0%

$200k–$300k 26.7%

$300k–$500k 20.0%

$500k–$1M 7.1%

$1M+ 0.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$212,200
Median rent / month	$985
Owner occupied	79.3%
Renter occupied	20.7%
Vacant	5.8%
Single-family detached	81.5%
Large apartment buildings	2.1%
Mobile homes	4.9%
Median rooms	5.8
Avg household size (owned)	2.52

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	8.2%
2000–2009	23.2%
1990–1999	11.5%
1980–1989	5.9%
1970–1979	11.3%
1960–1969	5.8%
1950–1959	6.6%
1940–1949	3.4%
1939 or earlier	24.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.5%
1 bedroom	5.2%
2 bedrooms	24.6%
3 bedrooms	50.0%
4 bedrooms	16.1%
5+ bedrooms	3.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.0%
1 vehicle	21.2%
2 vehicles	37.8%
3 or more	35.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	50.5%
Electricity	16.3%
Propane / LP gas	29.4%
Wood	1.5%
Solar	0.8%
No fuel used	1.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,846	51.2%
Cohabiting couple	262	7.3%
Male householder, no spouse	696	19.3%
Female householder, no spouse	802	22.2%
Households with children under 18	1,159	32.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,345	37.3%
Average household size	2.41

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	26.0%	25.0%
Married	55.6%	51.4%
Separated	0.6%	1.1%
Widowed	7.6%	13.5%
Divorced	10.3%	9.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.9%

Some HS, no diploma 1.4%

HS graduate 35.6%

Some college, no degree 27.6%

Associate's degree 8.5%

Bachelor's degree 18.6%

Graduate / professional 7.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	97.7%
Bachelor's or higher	26.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	147	6.6%
Kindergarten	169	7.6%
Elementary school	1,105	50.0%
High school	581	26.3%
College / grad school	210	9.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 14.5%

Retail trade 14.1%

Construction 13.5%

Finance & real estate 10.6%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.5%

Agriculture & mining 8.4%

Professional & management 6.7%

Manufacturing 6.5%

Wholesale trade 5.8%

Public administration 4.3%

Other services 3.8%

Transportation & utilities 3.1%

Information 0.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	38.2%
Service	10.9%
Sales & office	24.4%
Natural resources & construction	15.3%
Production & transportation	11.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	77.1%
Government	11.6%
Self-employed	10.5%
Unpaid family workers	0.9%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	76.1%
Carpool	4.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	5.0%
Other means	0.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	21.9

Poverty

All people 7.1%

Under 18 years 8.2%

18 and over 6.8%

Married-couple families 0.9%

Female-led households 27.9%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	37.2%
Retirement income	17.1%
Supplemental Security	0.5%
Cash public assistance	0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	6.1%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	32.3%
High cholesterol	33.3%
Heart disease	6.5%
Stroke	2.9%
Asthma	9.1%
Arthritis	25.4%
Kidney disease	2.8%
Pulmonary disease	6.4%
Cancer	7.5%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	21.6%
No physical activity	23.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	28.7%
Fair or poor health	11.7%
Poor mental health	12.9%
Poor physical health	9.2%
No health insurance	9.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.2%
Visited dentist	67.0%
Cholesterol screening	89.4%
Teeth loss	13.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	461	7.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	9.1%
Under 18	2.5%
18–64 years	5.3%
65 and over	29.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	79.3%
Public insurance	34.2%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	8,401	94.8%
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)	8,839	99.7%
Born in same state	8,825	99.5%
Born in different state	6,784	76.5%
Foreign born	14	0.2%
Naturalized citizen	27	0.3%
Not a US citizen	27	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	1,291	14.6%
Arab	679	7.7%
French	589	6.6%
Polish	310	3.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	281	3.2%
Dutch	15	0.2%
German	6	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.7%
Internet access	92.4%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Winterset, IA have?

Winterset, IA has one ZIP code: 50273. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.