The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 50598 sells for about $165,000, or $98 per square foot.
Prices are up +3.2% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 82 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $625 a month.
ZIP 50598 — Whittemore
The housing market in 50598 is characterized by low inventory and slow turnover, typical of a stable rural Iowa community. Prices have seen modest year-over-year growth, driven by limited supply rather than high demand. The market remains affordable, serving primarily local residents and families.
This ZIP is best suited for families and individuals seeking a quiet, affordable rural lifestyle with a strong sense of community and low cost of living.
Median prices moved up 3.2% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 82 days on market with 6.0 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
8% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 0.0% · poverty 3.4% — 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 4.1%/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 4.0%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net outflow — more people moved out than in
ZCTA 50598, Kossuth 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.
Crime rates in Whittemore are significantly lower than the national average, with the area experiencing very low levels of violent and property crime.
The area is served by the Algona Community School District, which is generally regarded as providing a stable and supportive educational environment for local students.
The region faces moderate risk from severe weather events, including thunderstorms and occasional high winds, though flood risk is generally low outside of specific drainage areas.
The local economy is primarily driven by agriculture and small-scale manufacturing, with limited new commercial development and a focus on maintaining the existing rural infrastructure.
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 nearby employment hubs like Algona for work and services.
Local recreation is centered on community parks and proximity to rural outdoor activities, including fishing and hunting areas common in North Central Iowa.
The rental market is small and characterized by low turnover, with limited inventory and stable, affordable rent levels.
The economy is anchored by the agricultural sector, with major employers in the region including local cooperatives, manufacturing firms, and public school districts.
Transportation is dominated by private vehicle use on state highways; there is no public transit infrastructure serving this rural ZIP.
There are no major large-scale commercial or residential developments currently approved or under construction in the immediate area.
The Kossuth County Assessor manages property valuations, utilizing a mass appraisal system based on market sales and property characteristics.
Parcels are subject to standard county and school district levies; there are no significant MUD or special utility districts.
Property insurance remains stable, though premiums are influenced by regional exposure to severe convective storms and wind damage.
The state experiences modest net domestic migration, with rural areas like this seeing stable population levels.
Iowa is a judicial foreclosure state, requiring court action to complete the foreclosure process, which typically includes a redemption period.
Sellers are required to provide a written disclosure statement regarding the condition of the property, including known material defects.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA-level tables.
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.
Local community park providing green space and recreational facilities.
Nearby golf course serving the broader Kossuth County area.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.