50261 vs 50218 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 50261, Orange = ZIP 50218.
Quick verdict: ZIP 50261 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, more educated, higher work-from-home share. ZIP 50218 is lower unemployment, more diverse.
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 50218
Patterson city, IA
View full profile →- Population293
- Median Income$71,786
- Median Home Value$107k
- Median Rent—
- Median Age40.8 yrs
- Poverty Rate4.4%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
3,105293
Median Income
$150,341$71,786
Median Home Value
$319k$107k
Median Rent
$813—
Median Age
40.3 yrs40.8 yrs
Poverty Rate
1.5%4.4%
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 50218
Patterson city, IA
View full profile →- White %86.0%
- Black %0.0%
- Asian %0.0%
- Hispanic %2.0%
- Age 0–17 %19.1%
- Age 18–64 %67.6%
- Age 65+ %13.3%
- Bachelor's+ %8.5%
- Diversity Index25/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
97.2%86.0%
Black %
0.7%0.0%
Asian %
0.8%0.0%
Hispanic %
0.1%2.0%
Age 0–17 %
29.6%19.1%
Age 18–64 %
59.7%67.6%
Age 65+ %
10.6%13.3%
Bachelor's+ %
41.3%8.5%
Diversity Index
6/10025/100
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 50218
Patterson city, IA
View full profile →- Median Income$71,786
- Unemployment %0.0%
- IRS Net Migration+17
- Work From Home %5.0%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$150,341$71,786
Unemployment %
0.6%0.0%
IRS Net Migration
+178+17
Work From Home %
19.0%5.0%
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 50218
Patterson city, IA
View full profile →- Median Home Value$107k
- Median Rent—
- Owner Occupied %95.2%
- Broadband %86.3%
- Vacant %4.6%
- Median Year Built1974
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$319k$107k
Median Rent
$813—
Owner Occupied %
84.5%95.2%
Broadband %
92.6%86.3%
Vacant %
2.5%4.6%
Median Year Built
19791974
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 50218
Patterson city, IA
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)1,100 ft
- Nearest Airport17.3 miles (27.8 km)
- Distance to Coast300.5 miles (483.6 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)17.3 miles (27.8 km)
Distance to Coast
302.0 miles (486.0 km)300.5 miles (483.6 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 50218
Patterson city, IA
View full profile →- Work From Home %5.0%
- Walkability (0–100)—
- Broadband %86.3%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
19.0%5.0%
Walkability (0–100)
29—
Broadband %
92.6%86.3%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 50261 and 50218 compare?
ZIP 50261 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, more educated, higher work-from-home share. ZIP 50218 is lower unemployment, more diverse.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (50261), orange the second (50218). 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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