50401 vs 50479 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 50401, Orange = ZIP 50479.
Quick verdict: ZIP 50401 is higher home values, more diverse, higher work-from-home share. ZIP 50479 is wealthier, more affordable rent, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, more educated.
Quick Facts
ZIP 50401
Mason City city, IA
View full profile →- Population28,818
- Median Income$63,807
- Median Home Value$134k
- Median Rent$695
- Median Age42.5 yrs
- Poverty Rate10.0%
ZIP 50479
Thornton city, IA
View full profile →- Population783
- Median Income$71,250
- Median Home Value$112k
- Median Rent$494
- Median Age29.6 yrs
- Poverty Rate5.8%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
28,818783
Median Income
$63,807$71,250
Median Home Value
$134k$112k
Median Rent
$695$494
Median Age
42.5 yrs29.6 yrs
Poverty Rate
10.0%5.8%
Demographics
ZIP 50401
Mason City city, IA
View full profile →- White %89.0%
- Black %3.2%
- Asian %1.2%
- Hispanic %6.1%
- Age 0–17 %20.9%
- Age 18–64 %56.8%
- Age 65+ %22.3%
- Bachelor's+ %21.9%
- Diversity Index20/100
ZIP 50479
Thornton city, IA
View full profile →- White %95.2%
- Black %0.0%
- Asian %0.3%
- Hispanic %5.1%
- Age 0–17 %28.1%
- Age 18–64 %53.6%
- Age 65+ %18.3%
- Bachelor's+ %23.0%
- Diversity Index9/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
89.0%95.2%
Black %
3.2%0.0%
Asian %
1.2%0.3%
Hispanic %
6.1%5.1%
Age 0–17 %
20.9%28.1%
Age 18–64 %
56.8%53.6%
Age 65+ %
22.3%18.3%
Bachelor's+ %
21.9%23.0%
Diversity Index
20/1009/100
Economy
ZIP 50401
Mason City city, IA
View full profile →- Median Income$63,807
- Unemployment %2.8%
- IRS Net Migration+1,653
- Work From Home %5.9%
ZIP 50479
Thornton city, IA
View full profile →- Median Income$71,250
- Unemployment %1.8%
- IRS Net Migration+45
- Work From Home %3.9%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$63,807$71,250
Unemployment %
2.8%1.8%
IRS Net Migration
+1,653+45
Work From Home %
5.9%3.9%
Housing
ZIP 50401
Mason City city, IA
View full profile →- Median Home Value$134k
- Median Rent$695
- Owner Occupied %68.2%
- Broadband %87.3%
- Vacant %9.8%
- Median Year Built1955
ZIP 50479
Thornton city, IA
View full profile →- Median Home Value$112k
- Median Rent$494
- Owner Occupied %86.0%
- Broadband %93.2%
- Vacant %3.3%
- Median Year Built1950
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$134k$112k
Median Rent
$695$494
Owner Occupied %
68.2%86.0%
Broadband %
87.3%93.2%
Vacant %
9.8%3.3%
Median Year Built
19551950
Climate & Location
ZIP 50401
Mason City city, IA
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)1,105 ft
- Nearest Airport6.6 miles (10.6 km)
- Distance to Coast236.1 miles (379.9 km)
ZIP 50479
Thornton city, IA
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)1,225 ft
- Nearest Airport15.8 miles (25.3 km)
- Distance to Coast250.8 miles (403.6 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
1,105 ft1,225 ft
Nearest Airport
6.6 miles (10.6 km)15.8 miles (25.3 km)
Distance to Coast
236.1 miles (379.9 km)250.8 miles (403.6 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 50401
Mason City city, IA
View full profile →- Work From Home %5.9%
- Walkability (0–100)64
- Broadband %87.3%
ZIP 50479
Thornton city, IA
View full profile →- Work From Home %3.9%
- Walkability (0–100)24
- Broadband %93.2%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
5.9%3.9%
Walkability (0–100)
6424
Broadband %
87.3%93.2%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 50401 and 50479 compare?
ZIP 50401 is higher home values, more diverse, higher work-from-home share. ZIP 50479 is wealthier, more affordable rent, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, more educated.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (50401), orange the second (50479). 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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