The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 50543 sells for about $172,024, or $105 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.1% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 88 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $698 a month.
ZIP 50543 — Gowrie
The housing market in 50543 is characterized by low inventory and stable, modest price growth consistent with rural Iowa trends. Demand is limited by the small population base, resulting in a balanced but slow-moving market. The area remains an affordable option for local residents, though it lacks the economic momentum of larger urban centers.
This ZIP is best suited for local families and individuals seeking affordable, small-town living, as well as budget-conscious buyers looking for lower entry prices compared to larger metro areas.
Median prices moved up 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 88 days on market with 7.2 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.7% · poverty 6.1% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 6.5%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 3.2%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 50543, Webster County IA
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
The area is served by the Southeast Valley Community School District, which provides local public education for the Gowrie community.
The region is subject to standard Midwestern weather risks, including severe thunderstorms and occasional wind events; flood risk is generally localized to the Boone River basin.
The local economy is primarily driven by agriculture and small-scale regional services, with limited large-scale industrial development momentum.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Iowa) — Iowa Property Tax Assessment Limitation: The taxable value is determined by applying an assessment limitation (rollback) to the assessed market value. The limitation is calculated annually to restrict the growth in aggregate taxable value for the residential class to 3% statewide.
Commuting is primarily car-dependent, with residents typically driving to regional employment hubs in Fort Dodge or surrounding agricultural centers.
Local amenities include small community parks and proximity to rural outdoor recreation areas; shopping and dining options are limited to local establishments within Gowrie.
The rental market is characterized by low inventory and modest demand, with a vacancy rate of approximately 12.4% and limited short-term rental activity.
The economy is anchored by the agricultural sector and small-business services, with Fort Dodge serving as the primary regional employment hub.
Transportation is entirely reliant on private vehicles, with access to regional highways connecting to larger Iowa cities.
There are no major large-scale commercial or residential developments currently reported for the Gowrie area.
Webster County Assessor manages property valuations, utilizing a biennial assessment cycle based on market value and agricultural productivity formulas.
Parcels are subject to Southeast Valley Community School District levies and standard county-wide utility and emergency service districts.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by regional exposure to severe weather, including wind and hail, which are common in central Iowa.
Iowa is a judicial foreclosure state, requiring court action to complete the foreclosure process.
Iowa law requires sellers to provide a written disclosure statement regarding the condition of the property to potential buyers.
Data retrieved from ZCTA 50543 census profiles and local market reports.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Fort Frenzy4.117.2 mi
- Dolliver Memorial State Park4.712.7 mi
- The Fort Museum and Frontier Village4.515.2 mi
- Jefferson Telecom4.918.8 mi
- Dolliver Memorial State Park4.712.7 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Local community park providing green space and recreational facilities.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.