50261 vs 50072 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 50261, Orange = ZIP 50072.
Quick verdict: ZIP 50261 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, more educated. ZIP 50072 is more affordable rent, more diverse, higher work-from-home share.
Quick Facts
ZIP 50261
West Des Moines city, IA
View full profile →- Population3,105
- Median Income$150,341
- Median Home Value$319k
- Median Rent$813
- Median Age40.3 yrs
- Poverty Rate1.5%
ZIP 50072
Earlham city, IA
View full profile →- Population2,787
- Median Income$111,518
- Median Home Value$299k
- Median Rent$518
- Median Age45.0 yrs
- Poverty Rate2.9%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
3,1052,787
Median Income
$150,341$111,518
Median Home Value
$319k$299k
Median Rent
$813$518
Median Age
40.3 yrs45.0 yrs
Poverty Rate
1.5%2.9%
Demographics
ZIP 50261
West Des Moines city, IA
View full profile →- White %97.2%
- Black %0.7%
- Asian %0.8%
- Hispanic %0.1%
- Age 0–17 %29.6%
- Age 18–64 %59.7%
- Age 65+ %10.6%
- Bachelor's+ %41.3%
- Diversity Index6/100
ZIP 50072
Earlham city, IA
View full profile →- White %92.0%
- Black %1.5%
- Asian %0.5%
- Hispanic %2.6%
- Age 0–17 %24.4%
- Age 18–64 %59.7%
- Age 65+ %16.0%
- Bachelor's+ %35.3%
- Diversity Index15/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
97.2%92.0%
Black %
0.7%1.5%
Asian %
0.8%0.5%
Hispanic %
0.1%2.6%
Age 0–17 %
29.6%24.4%
Age 18–64 %
59.7%59.7%
Age 65+ %
10.6%16.0%
Bachelor's+ %
41.3%35.3%
Diversity Index
6/10015/100
Economy
ZIP 50261
West Des Moines city, IA
View full profile →- Median Income$150,341
- Unemployment %0.6%
- IRS Net Migration+178
- Work From Home %19.0%
ZIP 50072
Earlham city, IA
View full profile →- Median Income$111,518
- Unemployment %1.9%
- IRS Net Migration+160
- Work From Home %21.4%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$150,341$111,518
Unemployment %
0.6%1.9%
IRS Net Migration
+178+160
Work From Home %
19.0%21.4%
Housing
ZIP 50261
West Des Moines city, IA
View full profile →- Median Home Value$319k
- Median Rent$813
- Owner Occupied %84.5%
- Broadband %92.6%
- Vacant %2.5%
- Median Year Built1979
ZIP 50072
Earlham city, IA
View full profile →- Median Home Value$299k
- Median Rent$518
- Owner Occupied %86.6%
- Broadband %92.0%
- Vacant %5.5%
- Median Year Built1979
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$319k$299k
Median Rent
$813$518
Owner Occupied %
84.5%86.6%
Broadband %
92.6%92.0%
Vacant %
2.5%5.5%
Median Year Built
19791979
Climate & Location
ZIP 50261
West Des Moines city, IA
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)1,100 ft
- Nearest Airport14.3 miles (23.0 km)
- Distance to Coast302.0 miles (486.0 km)
ZIP 50072
Earlham city, IA
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)1,100 ft
- Nearest Airport24.5 miles (39.4 km)
- Distance to Coast312.5 miles (502.9 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
1,100 ft1,100 ft
Nearest Airport
14.3 miles (23.0 km)24.5 miles (39.4 km)
Distance to Coast
302.0 miles (486.0 km)312.5 miles (502.9 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 50261
West Des Moines city, IA
View full profile →- Work From Home %19.0%
- Walkability (0–100)29
- Broadband %92.6%
ZIP 50072
Earlham city, IA
View full profile →- Work From Home %21.4%
- Walkability (0–100)25
- Broadband %92.0%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
19.0%21.4%
Walkability (0–100)
2925
Broadband %
92.6%92.0%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 50261 and 50072 compare?
ZIP 50261 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, more educated. ZIP 50072 is more affordable rent, more diverse, higher work-from-home share.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (50261), orange the second (50072). The same colors are used in the map markers and comparison bars.
Where does this data come from?
Data is from the U.S. Census Bureau and other federal sources. See our Methodology page for details.
How can I compare other ZIP codes?
From any ZIP page, use the "Compare with Another ZIP" tool, or go to /compare/XXXXX-vs-YYYYY (replace with two 5-digit ZIP codes).
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