51246 vs 51242 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 51246, Orange = ZIP 51242.
Quick verdict: ZIP 51246 is higher home values, higher work-from-home share. ZIP 51242 is wealthier, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, more diverse, more educated.
Quick Facts
ZIP 51246
Rock Rapids city, IA
View full profile →- Population4,075
- Median Income$69,320
- Median Home Value$233k
- Median Rent$512
- Median Age38.5 yrs
- Poverty Rate4.2%
ZIP 51242
Lester city, IA
View full profile →- Population346
- Median Income$86,406
- Median Home Value$185k
- Median Rent—
- Median Age38.3 yrs
- Poverty Rate2.0%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
4,075346
Median Income
$69,320$86,406
Median Home Value
$233k$185k
Median Rent
$512—
Median Age
38.5 yrs38.3 yrs
Poverty Rate
4.2%2.0%
Demographics
ZIP 51246
Rock Rapids city, IA
View full profile →- White %94.3%
- Black %0.1%
- Asian %0.2%
- Hispanic %4.6%
- Age 0–17 %31.6%
- Age 18–64 %52.8%
- Age 65+ %15.7%
- Bachelor's+ %21.4%
- Diversity Index11/100
ZIP 51242
Lester city, IA
View full profile →- White %88.4%
- Black %0.0%
- Asian %0.9%
- Hispanic %9.5%
- Age 0–17 %24.3%
- Age 18–64 %55.2%
- Age 65+ %20.5%
- Bachelor's+ %22.9%
- Diversity Index21/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
94.3%88.4%
Black %
0.1%0.0%
Asian %
0.2%0.9%
Hispanic %
4.6%9.5%
Age 0–17 %
31.6%24.3%
Age 18–64 %
52.8%55.2%
Age 65+ %
15.7%20.5%
Bachelor's+ %
21.4%22.9%
Diversity Index
11/10021/100
Economy
ZIP 51246
Rock Rapids city, IA
View full profile →- Median Income$69,320
- Unemployment %2.4%
- IRS Net Migration+234
- Work From Home %8.9%
ZIP 51242
Lester city, IA
View full profile →- Median Income$86,406
- Unemployment %0.0%
- IRS Net Migration+20
- Work From Home %3.1%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$69,320$86,406
Unemployment %
2.4%0.0%
IRS Net Migration
+234+20
Work From Home %
8.9%3.1%
Housing
ZIP 51246
Rock Rapids city, IA
View full profile →- Median Home Value$233k
- Median Rent$512
- Owner Occupied %80.1%
- Broadband %90.2%
- Vacant %13.1%
- Median Year Built1968
ZIP 51242
Lester city, IA
View full profile →- Median Home Value$185k
- Median Rent—
- Owner Occupied %84.9%
- Broadband %92.4%
- Vacant %15.0%
- Median Year Built1973
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$233k$185k
Median Rent
$512—
Owner Occupied %
80.1%84.9%
Broadband %
90.2%92.4%
Vacant %
13.1%15.0%
Median Year Built
19681973
Climate & Location
ZIP 51246
Rock Rapids city, IA
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)1,350 ft
- Nearest Airport30.7 miles (49.4 km)
- Distance to Coast300.9 miles (484.2 km)
ZIP 51242
Lester city, IA
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)1,350 ft
- Nearest Airport22.7 miles (36.5 km)
- Distance to Coast305.6 miles (491.8 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
1,350 ft1,350 ft
Nearest Airport
30.7 miles (49.4 km)22.7 miles (36.5 km)
Distance to Coast
300.9 miles (484.2 km)305.6 miles (491.8 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 51246
Rock Rapids city, IA
View full profile →- Work From Home %8.9%
- Walkability (0–100)33
- Broadband %90.2%
ZIP 51242
Lester city, IA
View full profile →- Work From Home %3.1%
- Walkability (0–100)26
- Broadband %92.4%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
8.9%3.1%
Walkability (0–100)
3326
Broadband %
90.2%92.4%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 51246 and 51242 compare?
ZIP 51246 is higher home values, higher work-from-home share. ZIP 51242 is wealthier, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, more diverse, more educated.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (51246), orange the second (51242). 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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