| City: | Hills, Iowa |
| County: | Johnson County |
| Timezone: | Central (GMT -06:00) |
| Local Time: | 8:05:07 PM |
| Population: | 858 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 319 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 41.5546, -91.5353 |
| Land Area: | 2.149 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Hills is a small Iowa community of 858 residents located in Johnson County, part of the Iowa City metropolitan area. Despite its PO Box ZIP classification, Hills has both PO Box service and rural route mail delivery. The post office maintains 471 PO Boxes for 401 households, a 1.18 adoption rate that shows the postal facility serves some customers from surrounding areas beyond the immediate town.
This is designated as a PO Box Only Zone by USPS, meaning PO Boxes are the primary mail delivery method for the area. However, one rural carrier route does serve portions of the community. The 1.7 square mile area includes 22 distinct streets with a mix of numbered grid streets (1st through 4th) and residential development roads like Oakcrest Hill Road and Oakridge Avenue.
Hills is primarily a residential community with typical small-town demographics. The median age is 41.4 years, with 258 owner-occupied homes and 143 renter-occupied units. The median home value of $217,800 and median household income of $81,875 are above Iowa averages, likely reflecting proximity to Iowa City and the University of Iowa. About 19% of workers work from home.
The community supports 21 business establishments employing 561 people. That's a ratio of nearly 27 jobs per business, suggesting some larger employers or facilities rather than just small retail.
Mail to Hills residents should use PO Box addresses. Rural route delivery is available for some locations, but boxes remain the standard addressing format for this ZIP code.
Street pattern combines traditional small-town grid (numbered streets, Main Street) with newer suburban-style development names (Oakcrest, Oakridge, Aspen Lane).
ZIP Code 52235 has 858 residents and 401 households (average 2.11 persons per household). The median age is 41.4 years, slightly older than the state (38.6) and slightly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 49.5% male and 50.5% female, which is about the same as the national male share (49.1%). Largest groups are White (87.3%, much higher than the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (5.5%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 5.5%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 858Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 892Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 399.3 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $81,875Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 401Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $217,800Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.11Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.82Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 720 | 824 | 783 | 801 | 784 | 730 | 656 | 827 | 740 | 819 | 821 | 889 | 892 |
| Decennial Census | 698 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 858 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 41.4
Male Median Age: 41.3
Female Median Age: 41.4
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 24 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 49 | 25 | 30 | 24 | 16 | 31 | 39 | 30 | 8 | 17 | 16 | 7 |
| Female | 24 | 25 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 40 | 29 | 31 | 18 | 24 | 24 | 31 | 25 | 27 | 15 | 23 | 6 | 26 |
| Total | 48 | 47 | 45 | 44 | 41 | 62 | 78 | 56 | 48 | 48 | 40 | 62 | 64 | 57 | 23 | 40 | 22 | 33 |
| White: | 749 | 87.19% |
| Black: | 43 | 5.01% |
| Hispanic:* | 47 | 5.47% |
| Asian: | 6 | 0.70% |
| American Indian: | 0 | 0% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 14 | 1.63% |
| Total: | 859 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 425 | 49.53% | 41.3 years |
| Females: | 433 | 50.47% | 41.4 years |
| Total: | 858 | 100% | 41.4 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 881 | 98.77% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 4 | 0.45% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 3 | 0.34% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 4 | 0.78% |
| Total Population: | 892 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 885 | 99.22% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 7 | 0.78% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $81,875, which is considerably higher than the state median ($73,147), is up $18,125 (28.4%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $27,656. Family households earn a median of $83,438 versus $63,958 for nonfamily households (a difference of $19,480). By gender, male median income is $58,095 and female is $51,307, which is falls short of the national female median ($53,445), with a current gap of $6,788 that has widened from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 73.8%, which is markedly above the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 1.4%, which is considerably lower than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (35.6%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $63,750 | $63,750 | $47,500 | $44,306 | $49,219 | $49,205 | $50,000 | $57,344 | $54,219 | $61,167 | $70,469 | $78,406 | $81,875 |
| Median Family Income | $69,375 | $59,844 | $56,458 | $62,321 | $65,625 | $70,714 | $78,182 | $81,250 | $77,031 | $69,087 | $72,656 | $80,938 | $83,438 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $26,979 | $32,917 | $32,321 | $31,786 | $33,571 | $37,768 | $38,375 | $39,602 | $39,375 | $43,125 | $50,278 | $59,063 | $63,958 |
| Median Male Income | $48,125 | $42,875 | $42,969 | $43,750 | $42,981 | $43,182 | $46,146 | $53,125 | $50,481 | $50,833 | $51,488 | $57,009 | $58,095 |
| Median Female Income | $50,500 | $48,646 | $40,625 | $41,250 | $41,250 | $38,646 | $34,779 | $41,125 | $41,250 | $42,656 | $50,114 | $51,500 | $51,307 |
| Employed: | 559 | 72.79% |
| Unemployed: | 8 | 1.04% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 201 | 26.17% |
| Total: | 768 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 199 | 35.60% |
| Service: | 79 | 14.13% |
| Sales and Office: | 137 | 24.51% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 70 | 12.52% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 74 | 13.24% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 559 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $217,800, which is far less than the national median ($303,400), is up $72,000 (49.38%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $61,800. The median gross rent is $1,179, which is far above the state median ($949), is up $329 (38.71%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $189. Of occupied housing, owners make up 62.22% (58.33% with a mortgage, 41.67% free-and-clear) and renters 37.78% - making this ZIP Code less home ownership than the state and higher than national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 8.78%, which is markedly below the national rate (10.43%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $145,800 | $150,700 | $147,900 | $149,500 | $144,900 | $151,900 | $147,600 | $150,000 | $156,000 | $173,100 | $181,000 | $214,100 | $217,800 |
| Less than $500: | 4 | 2.61% |
| $500 to $999: | 28 | 18.30% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 84 | 54.90% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 24 | 15.69% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 7 | 4.58% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 6 | 3.92% |
| Total: | 153 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $850 | $748 | $905 | $985 | $966 | $943 | $933 | $948 | $990 | $995 | $1,082 | $1,179 | $1,179 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 147 | 36.30% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 105 | 25.93% |
| Renter Occupied: | 153 | 37.78% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 405 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 405 | 91.22% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 39 | 8.78% |
| Total Housing Units: | 444 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 307 | 69.14% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 134 | 30.18% |
| Other Units: | 3 | 0.68% |
| Total Housing Units: | 444 | 100% |
In 2023, 24.20% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far lower than the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 95.60%, which is far higher than the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 4.90%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.60%). The share of people in poverty is 6.40%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.70%), down 13.10 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 1.90 percentage points. This points to a pronounced improvement in local conditions - rising incomes, firmer consumer demand, and a stronger tax base. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is college (40.00%). College enrollment is 40.00%, which is on par with the state rate (25.40%), meaning the community mirrors broader higher-education participation.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 11 | 1.61% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 19 | 2.77% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 238 | 34.74% |
| Some college, no degree: | 175 | 25.55% |
| Associate's degree: | 76 | 11.09% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 127 | 18.54% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 39 | 5.69% |
| Total: | 685 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 655 | 95.62% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 166 | 24.23% |
| Private Insurance: | 655 | 64.85% |
| Public Insurance: | 312 | 30.89% |
| No Insurance: | 43 | 4.26% |
| Total: | 1,010 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 967 | 95.74% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 19.5% | 17.1% | 23.3% | 23.9% | 18.9% | 11.4% | 4.8% | 4.3% | 4.5% | 3.0% | 1.3% | 1.5% | 6.4% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 1 | 0.63% |
| Kindergarten: | 3 | 1.88% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 53 | 33.13% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 39 | 24.38% |
| College or graduate school: | 64 | 40.00% |
| Total: | 160 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 4 | 2.50% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 95 | 59.38% |
ZIP Code 52235 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 21 business establishments, employing about 574 people with an annual payroll of $36,369,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 1,620Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 21Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $7,783,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $36,369,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 574Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 52235 is located in Johnson County, Iowa, within the Iowa City, IA Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 26980) and Iowa's 1st Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 177,420 people, about 0.48% of whom live in ZIP Code 52235. It covers 2.149 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.137 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Iowa City, IASource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 26980Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 177,420Source: Census |
| MSA: | Iowa City, IA MSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 2.149 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.137 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 01Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 12048.84 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | --Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 1936345Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Hills city; IowaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 52235 is in the Iowa City Community School District, which serves grades Pre-Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 1 public school(s) in this ZIP Code, and we have located 3 private school(s). It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on January 1, 2026.