50436 vs 50478 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 50436, Orange = ZIP 50478.
Quick verdict: ZIP 50436 is wealthier, higher home values, lower unemployment, higher work-from-home share. ZIP 50478 is more affordable rent, lower poverty rate, more diverse, more educated.
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 50478
Thompson city, IA
View full profile →- Population689
- Median Income$44,880
- Median Home Value$94k
- Median Rent$475
- Median Age51.7 yrs
- Poverty Rate6.7%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
5,760689
Median Income
$68,600$44,880
Median Home Value
$164k$94k
Median Rent
$600$475
Median Age
35.9 yrs51.7 yrs
Poverty Rate
9.4%6.7%
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 50478
Thompson city, IA
View full profile →- White %82.0%
- Black %0.0%
- Asian %0.0%
- Hispanic %19.3%
- Age 0–17 %18.4%
- Age 18–64 %51.4%
- Age 65+ %30.2%
- Bachelor's+ %33.7%
- Diversity Index29/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
89.3%82.0%
Black %
1.6%0.0%
Asian %
6.0%0.0%
Hispanic %
3.9%19.3%
Age 0–17 %
23.7%18.4%
Age 18–64 %
60.4%51.4%
Age 65+ %
15.9%30.2%
Bachelor's+ %
25.0%33.7%
Diversity Index
20/10029/100
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 50478
Thompson city, IA
View full profile →- Median Income$44,880
- Unemployment %2.8%
- IRS Net Migration+40
- Work From Home %4.8%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$68,600$44,880
Unemployment %
1.8%2.8%
IRS Net Migration
+330+40
Work From Home %
7.3%4.8%
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 50478
Thompson city, IA
View full profile →- Median Home Value$94k
- Median Rent$475
- Owner Occupied %78.2%
- Broadband %86.5%
- Vacant %12.3%
- Median Year Built1950
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$164k$94k
Median Rent
$600$475
Owner Occupied %
75.0%78.2%
Broadband %
89.5%86.5%
Vacant %
9.7%12.3%
Median Year Built
19691950
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 50478
Thompson city, IA
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)1,280 ft
- Nearest Airport28.5 miles (45.9 km)
- Distance to Coast242.3 miles (390.0 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
1,280 ft1,280 ft
Nearest Airport
18.7 miles (30.1 km)28.5 miles (45.9 km)
Distance to Coast
249.7 miles (401.8 km)242.3 miles (390.0 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 50436
Forest City city, IA
View full profile →- Work From Home %7.3%
- Walkability (0–100)40
- Broadband %89.5%
ZIP 50478
Thompson city, IA
View full profile →- Work From Home %4.8%
- Walkability (0–100)23
- Broadband %86.5%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
7.3%4.8%
Walkability (0–100)
4023
Broadband %
89.5%86.5%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 50436 and 50478 compare?
ZIP 50436 is wealthier, higher home values, lower unemployment, higher work-from-home share. ZIP 50478 is more affordable rent, lower poverty rate, more diverse, more educated.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (50436), orange the second (50478). 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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