ZIP Code · IA

ZIP 50111

Part of Grimes, IA

Pop. 16,865·Polk County·14th most expensive ZIP in Iowa

Median rent (all units)

$1,396/mo

Year-over-Year

+3.4%

Month-over-Month

+0.6%

vs US Median

-$536

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

Be the first to discuss 50111 rents ↓

Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 50111 · $1,396

More affordable than 80% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,040

1 BR

$1,090

2 BR

$1,290

3 BR

$1,760

4 BR+

$1,800

Research median

$1,290/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Past year vs. the rest of Iowa

Rent in ZIP 50111 changed +3.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 45 Iowa ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +4.3%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 6 months in a row, and rose in 10 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($120,769) is $3,019 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 4-bedroom ($1,800).

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 50322, 6 miles away, rents for 26% less ($1,030/mo), about $4,400 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 50111. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$16,752/yr

At $1,396/mo median

Location

CityGrimes

StateIA

CountyPolk County

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (3.4% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+3.4% YoY, +0.6% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 50111 (Grimes, IA) is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, has a median income above the national average, 51.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

16,865

Median income

$120,769

Median age

35.9

Renters

28.3%

Age distribution

27.3%

21.8%

32.8%

Under 1827.3%

18–3421.8%

35–5432.8%

55–6410.6%

65+7.5%

Gender

52%

48%

Male52%

Female48%

Race & ethnicity

84.1%

White84.1%

Black6%

Hispanic5.1%

Asian4.5%

Education (25+)

23%

24.4%

51.9%

No HS diploma0.7%

HS diploma23%

Some college24.4%

Bachelor's+51.9%

Housing tenure

71.7%

28.3%

Owner71.7%

Renter28.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 50111 in Grimes, IA has changed in 5 years

Income

$92,206 → $120,769

up 31.0%

Population

15,491 → 16,865

up 8.9%

Renter share

30.2% → 28.3%

-1.9 pts

Bachelor's+

43.5% → 51.9%

+8.4 pts

Census figures show median household income at $120,769 today, compared with $92,206 five years earlier. The population has grown by 8.9% since 2021, moving from about 15,491 residents to roughly 16,865. Renters now make up 28.3% of households, compared with 30.2% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 51.9% of adults here, versus 43.5% in 2021.

Community

Discussions about ZIP 50111

No discussions yet. Start the conversation.

Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 50111

About renting in ZIP 50111

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 50111 covers Grimes, IA. The median rent here is $1,396/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,090/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,290/mo.

At 14% of local median household income ($120,769/yr), ZIP 50111 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 50111?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $56,000/year (about $27/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,396/mo in ZIP 50111. The local median household income is $120,769/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 50111?

Rent in ZIP 50111 has risen 3.4% over the past year.

How does ZIP 50111 compare to other ZIPs in Iowa?

ZIP 50111 is one of the pricier among Iowa ZIP codes for rent, ranking #14 of 54 at $1,396/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 50111 changed +3.4%, against a typical +4.3% across the 45 Iowa ZIP codes Zillow tracks.