Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 15 h 22 min5:39 am – 9:01 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 1 min7:46 am – 4:47 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People377 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 58.4182 householdsMedian household income $72,500Median home value $100,000Median rent $1,125 a month78% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $1,056 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting10.2% unemployment rate61% of adults are in the labour force, 184 employedMain industries: education and health care 21%, public administration 11%, manufacturing 10%Average commute 18 minutes81% drive alone, 8% car-pool, 3% take public transport, 6% walk or cycle, 2% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages16% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher99% finished high school, 4% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 100%Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 85°F, lows 63°FColdest month January: highs 26°F, lows 7°F34 in of rain a year, on about 58 dayswettest month June37 in of snow a year, on about 19 days15 days above 90°F, 153 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Emmetsburg station, 10 mi away
Parks and public landsMeredith Parkpark · 3.9 miRobert Mulrony Recreation Wildlife Areapark · 4.9 mi · 50 acresNorthern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refugenational wildlife refuge · 9.8 mi · 876 acresWest Fork Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 10.3 mi · 1,792 acresRush Lake Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 11.3 mi · 76 acresSilver Lake (Palo Alto) Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 12.9 miSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
EarthquakesNone of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 1970Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Very LowPalo Alto County, IA, compared with all US countiesHighest-rated hazardsDrought Relatively ModerateHail Relatively ModerateSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality72% of days had good air in 2025263 of 364 days measured92 moderate, 9 unhealthy for sensitive groups daysMedian index 40, worst day 134main pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, Palo Alto County monitors, IA
Internet at home93% of households have a broadband subscription66% have cable, fibre or DSL10% rely on a mobile data plan alone6% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterMallard Water Supplyserves 257 people from ground water purchased7 health-based violations since 2021latest Oct 2024: arsenic, maximum contaminant level1 monitoring or reporting violation since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation1,200 ft366 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalPalo Alto County Hospital11.2 miPost officeCurlew Post Office5.0 miTown hallMallard City Hall2.7 miPoliceWest Bend Police Department9.9 miFire stationMallard Fire Department First Responders2.7 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 miNo schools listedCollegeIowa Lakes Community College - Emmetsburg Campus11.6 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportFort Dodge Regional Airport FOD36 miMajor airportDes Moines International Airport DSM111 miUS highwayUS 189.8 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 50562 ZIP area.
