50436 vs 50438 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 50436, Orange = ZIP 50438.
Quick verdict: ZIP 50436 is more affordable rent, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, more diverse, more educated. ZIP 50438 is wealthier, higher home values, higher work-from-home share.
Quick Facts
ZIP 50436
Forest City city, IA
View full profile →- Population5,760
- Median Income$68,600
- Median Home Value$164k
- Median Rent$600
- Median Age35.9 yrs
- Poverty Rate9.4%
ZIP 50438
Garner city, IA
View full profile →- Population4,006
- Median Income$69,637
- Median Home Value$177k
- Median Rent$675
- Median Age49.3 yrs
- Poverty Rate13.2%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
5,7604,006
Median Income
$68,600$69,637
Median Home Value
$164k$177k
Median Rent
$600$675
Median Age
35.9 yrs49.3 yrs
Poverty Rate
9.4%13.2%
Demographics
ZIP 50436
Forest City city, IA
View full profile →- White %89.3%
- Black %1.6%
- Asian %6.0%
- Hispanic %3.9%
- Age 0–17 %23.7%
- Age 18–64 %60.4%
- Age 65+ %15.9%
- Bachelor's+ %25.0%
- Diversity Index20/100
ZIP 50438
Garner city, IA
View full profile →- White %94.8%
- Black %2.1%
- Asian %0.1%
- Hispanic %2.6%
- Age 0–17 %18.2%
- Age 18–64 %52.2%
- Age 65+ %29.6%
- Bachelor's+ %23.4%
- Diversity Index10/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
89.3%94.8%
Black %
1.6%2.1%
Asian %
6.0%0.1%
Hispanic %
3.9%2.6%
Age 0–17 %
23.7%18.2%
Age 18–64 %
60.4%52.2%
Age 65+ %
15.9%29.6%
Bachelor's+ %
25.0%23.4%
Diversity Index
20/10010/100
Economy
ZIP 50436
Forest City city, IA
View full profile →- Median Income$68,600
- Unemployment %1.8%
- IRS Net Migration+330
- Work From Home %7.3%
ZIP 50438
Garner city, IA
View full profile →- Median Income$69,637
- Unemployment %2.4%
- IRS Net Migration+230
- Work From Home %7.7%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$68,600$69,637
Unemployment %
1.8%2.4%
IRS Net Migration
+330+230
Work From Home %
7.3%7.7%
Housing
ZIP 50436
Forest City city, IA
View full profile →- Median Home Value$164k
- Median Rent$600
- Owner Occupied %75.0%
- Broadband %89.5%
- Vacant %9.7%
- Median Year Built1969
ZIP 50438
Garner city, IA
View full profile →- Median Home Value$177k
- Median Rent$675
- Owner Occupied %77.2%
- Broadband %84.7%
- Vacant %3.1%
- Median Year Built1970
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$164k$177k
Median Rent
$600$675
Owner Occupied %
75.0%77.2%
Broadband %
89.5%84.7%
Vacant %
9.7%3.1%
Median Year Built
19691970
Climate & Location
ZIP 50436
Forest City city, IA
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)1,280 ft
- Nearest Airport18.7 miles (30.1 km)
- Distance to Coast249.7 miles (401.8 km)
ZIP 50438
Garner city, IA
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)1,220 ft
- Nearest Airport14.9 miles (24.0 km)
- Distance to Coast257.1 miles (413.8 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
1,280 ft1,220 ft
Nearest Airport
18.7 miles (30.1 km)14.9 miles (24.0 km)
Distance to Coast
249.7 miles (401.8 km)257.1 miles (413.8 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 50436
Forest City city, IA
View full profile →- Work From Home %7.3%
- Walkability (0–100)40
- Broadband %89.5%
ZIP 50438
Garner city, IA
View full profile →- Work From Home %7.7%
- Walkability (0–100)28
- Broadband %84.7%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
7.3%7.7%
Walkability (0–100)
4028
Broadband %
89.5%84.7%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 50436 and 50438 compare?
ZIP 50436 is more affordable rent, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, more diverse, more educated. ZIP 50438 is wealthier, higher home values, higher work-from-home share.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (50436), orange the second (50438). 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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