County

O'Brien County, IA

8 ZIP codes  ·  8 cities  ·  Iowa

👥14,445Population
💰$70,200Median HH Income▼ 8% below avg
🎂40.0Median Age
🏠$158,924Median Home Value▼ 43% below avg
🎓40.2%College Grads≈ Avg
📊1.5%Unemployment▼ 70% below avg
People & Population (ACS 2023 — weighted avg)
♂ Male 50.3% Female 49.7% ♀

Race & Ethnicity

White: 88.7%Hispanic: 7%Black: 1.8%Asian: 0.8%Other: 1.9%Race
White88.7%
Hispanic7.0%
Black1.8%
Asian0.8%
Other1.9%

Age Breakdown

Under 5
7%
5–17
17%
18–24
8%
25–44
25%
45–64
23%
65+
9%

Key Indicators

Median Age40.0 yrs
Avg HH Size2.40
Below Poverty13.8% ▲ 38% above avg
College Grads40.2% ≈ Avg
Unemployment1.5% ▼ 70% below avg
No HS Diploma77 (0.8%)
HS Graduate3,286 (35.9%)
Some College940 (10.3%)
Associates1,184 (12.9%)
Bachelors1,502 (16.4%)
Graduate Degree2,165 (23.7%)

Education

No HS: 0.8%HS Grad: 35.9%Some College: 10.3%Associates: 12.9%Bachelors: 16.4%Graduate: 23.7%Edu
No HS0.8%
HS Grad35.9%
Some College10.3%
Associates12.9%
Bachelors16.4%
Graduate23.7%
Housing & Income

Housing Tenure

Owner: 77.8%Renter: 22.2%Tenure
Owner77.8%
Renter22.2%

Home Value Distribution

Under $50k
8%
$50k–$100k
20%
$100k–$150k
17%
$150k–$200k
20%
$200k–$300k
19%
$300k–$500k
13%
Over $500k
2%

Financials

Median HH Income$70,200 ▼ 8% below avg
Median Home Value$158,924 ▼ 43% below avg
Home/Income Ratio2.3x (nat avg ~3.5x)
Median Rent$805/mo
Total Housing Units6,598
Vacant Units747

Income Distribution

Under $25k
16%
$25k–$50k
18%
$50k–$75k
19%
$75k–$100k
15%
$100k–$150k
22%
$150k–$200k
7%
Over $200k
4%
Employment & Commute

How People Get to Work

Drove Alone
90%
Public Transit
0%
Walked
2%
Work From Home
7%

Commute Time

Under 15 min
52%
15–30 min
27%
30–45 min
13%
Over 45 min
8%
Housing Stock

Year Built

Before 1940
5%
1940s–1950s
16%
1960s–1970s
10%
1980s–1990s
8%
2000+
61%
About O'Brien County, IA

O'Brien County is located in Iowa and encompasses 8 ZIP codes spanning 8 cities and communities. The county has an estimated population of 14,445 residents. With a median age of 40, it is a middle-aged county.

O'Brien County has a solidly middle-class economic profile. The median household income of $70,200 is near the national average. Unemployment stands at 1.5%, well below the national average. The poverty rate of 13.8% is above the national average.

Housing in O'Brien County is an affordable housing market, with a median home value of $158,924 — below the national average. Monthly median rent is approximately $805. Homeownership rates are high at 77.8%, reflecting a largely residential, stable population.

The residents of O'Brien County are primarily White (88.66%). Educational attainment is well-educated — 40.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average.

O'Brien County, IA is a solidly middle-class area in Iowa. The 8 ZIP codes within the county each have their own character — browse the full list below to find the right community, whether you're looking for affordable housing, strong schools, or economic opportunity.

ZIP Codes in O'Brien County
ZIPCityPopulationMedian IncomeMedian HomeMedian RentUnemp.College
51231 Archer 543 $105,388 $179,600 0.5% 45.2%
51009 Calumet 131 $53,125 $65,000 $475 4.0% 30.0%
51346 Hartley 2,211 $60,179 $125,800 $721 3.9% 36.7%
51046 Paullina 1,407 $81,389 $161,200 $804 0.0% 41.2%
51245 Primghar 1,264 $78,958 $139,500 $933 2.2% 48.7%
51248 Sanborn 1,643 $60,809 $154,400 $869 2.1% 33.8%
51201 Sheldon 6,226 $70,592 $182,500 $842 0.6% 42.1%
51058 Sutherland 1,020 $61,833 $116,100 $546 2.3% 33.6%