50240 vs 50261 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 50240, Orange = ZIP 50261.
Quick verdict: ZIP 50240 is more affordable rent, more diverse. ZIP 50261 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
Quick Facts
ZIP 50240
St. Charles city, IA
View full profile →- Population2,299
- Median Income$110,027
- Median Home Value$297k
- Median Rent$675
- Median Age46.1 yrs
- Poverty Rate3.7%
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%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
2,2993,105
Median Income
$110,027$150,341
Median Home Value
$297k$319k
Median Rent
$675$813
Median Age
46.1 yrs40.3 yrs
Poverty Rate
3.7%1.5%
Demographics
ZIP 50240
St. Charles city, IA
View full profile →- White %92.0%
- Black %0.0%
- Asian %0.0%
- Hispanic %4.8%
- Age 0–17 %20.2%
- Age 18–64 %62.2%
- Age 65+ %17.6%
- Bachelor's+ %28.8%
- Diversity Index15/100
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
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
92.0%97.2%
Black %
0.0%0.7%
Asian %
0.0%0.8%
Hispanic %
4.8%0.1%
Age 0–17 %
20.2%29.6%
Age 18–64 %
62.2%59.7%
Age 65+ %
17.6%10.6%
Bachelor's+ %
28.8%41.3%
Diversity Index
15/1006/100
Economy
ZIP 50240
St. Charles city, IA
View full profile →- Median Income$110,027
- Unemployment %2.9%
- IRS Net Migration+132
- Work From Home %18.0%
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%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$110,027$150,341
Unemployment %
2.9%0.6%
IRS Net Migration
+132+178
Work From Home %
18.0%19.0%
Housing
ZIP 50240
St. Charles city, IA
View full profile →- Median Home Value$297k
- Median Rent$675
- Owner Occupied %87.4%
- Broadband %91.6%
- Vacant %6.9%
- Median Year Built1987
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
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$297k$319k
Median Rent
$675$813
Owner Occupied %
87.4%84.5%
Broadband %
91.6%92.6%
Vacant %
6.9%2.5%
Median Year Built
19871979
Climate & Location
ZIP 50240
St. Charles city, IA
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)924 ft
- Nearest Airport17.8 miles (28.7 km)
- Distance to Coast296.3 miles (476.9 km)
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)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
924 ft1,100 ft
Nearest Airport
17.8 miles (28.7 km)14.3 miles (23.0 km)
Distance to Coast
296.3 miles (476.9 km)302.0 miles (486.0 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 50240
St. Charles city, IA
View full profile →- Work From Home %18.0%
- Walkability (0–100)21
- Broadband %91.6%
ZIP 50261
West Des Moines city, IA
View full profile →- Work From Home %19.0%
- Walkability (0–100)29
- Broadband %92.6%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
18.0%19.0%
Walkability (0–100)
2129
Broadband %
91.6%92.6%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 50240 and 50261 compare?
ZIP 50240 is more affordable rent, more diverse. ZIP 50261 is wealthier, higher home values, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (50240), orange the second (50261). 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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