51242 vs 56116 — Compare ZIP Codes
Side-by-side comparison. Blue = ZIP 51242, Orange = ZIP 56116.
Quick verdict: ZIP 51242 is wealthier, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, more diverse. ZIP 56116 is higher home values, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
Quick Facts
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%
ZIP 56116
Beaver Creek city, MN
View full profile →- Population575
- Median Income$85,000
- Median Home Value$220k
- Median Rent$595
- Median Age37.0 yrs
- Poverty Rate9.4%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Population
346575
Median Income
$86,406$85,000
Median Home Value
$185k$220k
Median Rent
—$595
Median Age
38.3 yrs37.0 yrs
Poverty Rate
2.0%9.4%
Demographics
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
ZIP 56116
Beaver Creek city, MN
View full profile →- White %95.1%
- Black %0.5%
- Asian %0.3%
- Hispanic %7.8%
- Age 0–17 %30.3%
- Age 18–64 %51.0%
- Age 65+ %18.8%
- Bachelor's+ %27.6%
- Diversity Index9/100
Visual comparison (same scale)
White %
88.4%95.1%
Black %
0.0%0.5%
Asian %
0.9%0.3%
Hispanic %
9.5%7.8%
Age 0–17 %
24.3%30.3%
Age 18–64 %
55.2%51.0%
Age 65+ %
20.5%18.8%
Bachelor's+ %
22.9%27.6%
Diversity Index
21/1009/100
Economy
ZIP 51242
Lester city, IA
View full profile →- Median Income$86,406
- Unemployment %0.0%
- IRS Net Migration+20
- Work From Home %3.1%
ZIP 56116
Beaver Creek city, MN
View full profile →- Median Income$85,000
- Unemployment %0.7%
- IRS Net Migration+41
- Work From Home %13.9%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Income
$86,406$85,000
Unemployment %
0.0%0.7%
IRS Net Migration
+20+41
Work From Home %
3.1%13.9%
Housing
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
ZIP 56116
Beaver Creek city, MN
View full profile →- Median Home Value$220k
- Median Rent$595
- Owner Occupied %85.0%
- Broadband %91.8%
- Vacant %8.3%
- Median Year Built1965
Visual comparison (same scale)
Median Home Value
$185k$220k
Median Rent
—$595
Owner Occupied %
84.9%85.0%
Broadband %
92.4%91.8%
Vacant %
15.0%8.3%
Median Year Built
19731965
Climate & Location
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)
ZIP 56116
Beaver Creek city, MN
View full profile →- Snow Days/Year0 days
- Elevation (ft)1,594 ft
- Nearest Airport17.9 miles (28.8 km)
- Distance to Coast298.3 miles (480.1 km)
Visual comparison (same scale)
Snow Days/Year
0 days0 days
Elevation (ft)
1,350 ft1,594 ft
Nearest Airport
22.7 miles (36.5 km)17.9 miles (28.8 km)
Distance to Coast
305.6 miles (491.8 km)298.3 miles (480.1 km)
Infrastructure
ZIP 51242
Lester city, IA
View full profile →- Work From Home %3.1%
- Walkability (0–100)26
- Broadband %92.4%
ZIP 56116
Beaver Creek city, MN
View full profile →- Work From Home %13.9%
- Walkability (0–100)24
- Broadband %91.8%
Visual comparison (same scale)
Work From Home %
3.1%13.9%
Walkability (0–100)
2624
Broadband %
92.4%91.8%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ZIP 51242 and 56116 compare?
ZIP 51242 is wealthier, lower poverty rate, lower unemployment, more diverse. ZIP 56116 is higher home values, more educated, higher work-from-home share.
What do the blue and orange colors mean?
Blue represents the first ZIP (51242), orange the second (56116). 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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