50042 vs 51531 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 50042, Orange = ZIP 51531.
Quick verdict: ZIP 50042 is more affordable rent, lower unemployment, more diverse. ZIP 51531 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
Quick Facts
ZIP 50042
Brayton city, IA
View full profile →- Population228
- Median Income$50,500
- Median Home Value$117k
- Median Rent$495
- Median Age55.4 yrs
- Poverty Rate20.2%
ZIP 51531
Elk Horn city, IA
View full profile →- Population943
- Median Income$58,929
- Median Home Value$132k
- Median Rent$539
- Median Age43.0 yrs
- Poverty Rate9.5%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
228943
Median Income
$50,500$58,929
Median Home Value
$117k$132k
Median Rent
$495$539
Median Age
55.4 yrs43.0 yrs
Poverty Rate
20.2%9.5%
Demographics
ZIP 50042
Brayton city, IA
View full profile →- White %93.9%
- Black %0.0%
- Asian %0.0%
- Hispanic %4.0%
- Age 0–17 %13.2%
- Age 18–64 %63.6%
- Age 65+ %23.3%
- Bachelor's+ %15.8%
- Diversity Index12/100
ZIP 51531
Elk Horn city, IA
View full profile →- White %96.4%
- Black %0.0%
- Asian %0.0%
- Hispanic %0.9%
- Age 0–17 %24.2%
- Age 18–64 %54.3%
- Age 65+ %21.5%
- Bachelor's+ %25.2%
- Diversity Index7/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
93.9%96.4%
Black %
0.0%0.0%
Asian %
0.0%0.0%
Hispanic %
4.0%0.9%
Age 0–17 %
13.2%24.2%
Age 18–64 %
63.6%54.3%
Age 65+ %
23.3%21.5%
Bachelor's+ %
15.8%25.2%
Diversity Index
12/1007/100
Economy
ZIP 50042
Brayton city, IA
View full profile →- Median Income$50,500
- Unemployment %1.8%
- IRS Net Migration+13
- Work From Home %0.0%
- Mean Commute (min)106 min
ZIP 51531
Elk Horn city, IA
View full profile →- Median Income$58,929
- Unemployment %2.6%
- IRS Net Migration+54
- Work From Home %12.7%
- Mean Commute (min)—
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$50,500$58,929
Unemployment %
1.8%2.6%
IRS Net Migration
+13+54
Work From Home %
0.0%12.7%
Mean Commute (min)
106 min—
Housing
ZIP 50042
Brayton city, IA
View full profile →- Median Home Value$117k
- Median Rent$495
- Owner Occupied %78.1%
- Broadband %80.2%
- Vacant %21.9%
- Median Year Built1938
ZIP 51531
Elk Horn city, IA
View full profile →- Median Home Value$132k
- Median Rent$539
- Owner Occupied %78.9%
- Broadband %93.0%
- Vacant %8.3%
- Median Year Built1938
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$117k$132k
Median Rent
$495$539
Owner Occupied %
78.1%78.9%
Broadband %
80.2%93.0%
Vacant %
21.9%8.3%
Median Year Built
19381938
Climate & Location
ZIP 50042
Brayton city, IA
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)1,152 ft
- Nearest Airport53.6 miles (86.3 km)
- Distance to Coast352.7 miles (567.6 km)
ZIP 51531
Elk Horn city, IA
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)1,280 ft
- Nearest Airport46.2 miles (74.4 km)
- Distance to Coast361.9 miles (582.5 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
1,152 ft1,280 ft
Nearest Airport
53.6 miles (86.3 km)46.2 miles (74.4 km)
Distance to Coast
352.7 miles (567.6 km)361.9 miles (582.5 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 50042
Brayton city, IA
View full profile →- Mean Commute (min)106 min
- Work From Home %0.0%
- Walkability (0–100)19
- Broadband %80.2%
ZIP 51531
Elk Horn city, IA
View full profile →- Mean Commute (min)—
- Work From Home %12.7%
- Walkability (0–100)27
- Broadband %93.0%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Mean Commute (min)
106 min—
Work From Home %
0.0%12.7%
Walkability (0–100)
1927
Broadband %
80.2%93.0%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 50042 and 51531 compare?
ZIP 50042 is more affordable rent, lower unemployment, more diverse. ZIP 51531 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (50042), orange the second (51531). 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).
Continue exploring