Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 15 h 14 min5:39 am – 8:53 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 8 min7:39 am – 4:46 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People361 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 36.0129 householdsMedian household income $80,938Median home value $184,70093% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $2,769 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting12.7% unemployment rate71% of adults are in the labour force, 165 employedMain industries: education and health care 27%, finance, insurance and real estate 13%, manufacturing 11%Average commute 28 minutes78% drive alone, 7% car-pool, 15% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages31% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher91% finished high school, 3% 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 66°FColdest month January: highs 30°F, lows 13°F36 in of rain a year, on about 65 dayswettest month June38 in of snow a year, on about 26 days18 days above 90°F, 135 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Des Moines Wsfo-johnston station, 9 mi away
Nearby landmarksHeart of Iowa Nature Trail Slater Trailheadtrailhead · 1.7 miBig Creek Lakelake · 4.2 miHeart of Iowa Nature Trail Huxley Trailheadtrailhead · 5.0 miSaylorville Lakelake · 7.8 miFaith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminarycollege · 9.6 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Parks and public landsHigh Trestle Trailstate recreation area · under a mileSaylorville Recreation Arearecreation area · 1.6 mi · 28,368 acresBig Creek State Parkstate park · 3.9 mi · 617 acresBig Creek Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 3.5 mi · 645 acresBig Creek Lakestate conservation land · 3.7 mi · 151 acresAnkeny to Woodward Trailstate recreation area · 4.8 mi · 140 acresSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
EarthquakesNone of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 1970Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively ModeratePolk County, IA, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsStrong wind Very HighTornado Relatively HighHail Relatively HighHeat wave Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality61% of days had good air in 2025224 of 365 days measured139 moderate, 2 unhealthy for sensitive groups daysMedian index 44, worst day 136main pollutant: fine particles (PM2.5)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, Polk County monitors, IA
Internet at home94% of households have a broadband subscription83% have cable, fibre or DSL9% rely on a mobile data plan alone6% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterSheldahl Water Supplyserves 307 people from ground waterNo health-based violations since 20211 monitoring or reporting violation since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation1,032 ft315 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalWoodward State Hospital11.3 miPost officeSheldahl Post Officeunder a mileTown hallSheldahl City Hallunder a milePoliceHuxley Police Department5.2 miFire stationSlater Fire Department1.5 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
SchoolsWithin 2 mi1 school1 elementaryElementaryBallard West Elementary School1.6 miCollegeFaith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary9.6 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportDes Moines International Airport DSM23 miInterstateI-356.5 miUS highwayUS 695.0 miAmtrakOsceola, IA OSC57 miCoachAmes South Duff AvenueGreyhound10 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 50243 ZIP area.
