The Johnston Brief

Reference · Johnston fast facts

Johnston, Iowa fast facts: ZIP code, area code, county, and the numbers people ask for.

The quick reference for Johnston, Iowa: the ZIP code, area code, county, and the handful of facts you came here to grab. Everything's on one page, and if you want the deeper numbers on population, housing, and taxes, we've linked those too.

The quick answer

Johnston, Iowa uses ZIP code 50131. The area code is 515, and the town is in Polk County, on the northwest side of the Des Moines metro, in the Central Time Zone.

The facts

Johnston at a glance

ZIP code50131
Area code515
CountyPolk County
StateIowa
Time zoneCentral (CST / CDT)
Elevation~824 ft
Population~24,384
LocationNW side of Des Moines metro
First settled1846
Incorporated1969
Named afterJohn F. Johnston (railway agent)
School districtJohnston Community
The ZIP

Does Johnston have one ZIP code or several?

Johnston is covered by a single primary ZIP code, 50131, which spans essentially the whole city. That is unusual for a suburb its size and makes addressing simple - one ZIP, one town. A handful of properties right on the city's edges can technically fall into a neighboring ZIP as boundaries and municipal lines meet, so if it matters (for a delivery or a form), check the exact address. Everything in 50131 shares the 515 area code and sits in Polk County.

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Go deeper

The bigger numbers

For the full picture, see Johnston by the numbers (population, schools, taxes, and more), the cost of living, the neighborhoods guide, and our overview of moving to Johnston.

Quick answers

Johnston fast facts: FAQ

What is the ZIP code for Johnston, Iowa?

Johnston, Iowa uses ZIP code 50131. It is in the 515 area code and Polk County. A few properties on the city's edges can fall into an adjacent ZIP, so confirm by the exact address if it matters.

What area code is Johnston, Iowa?

Area code 515, the code for Des Moines and central Iowa.

What county is Johnston, Iowa in?

Polk County, Iowa's most populous county, on the northwest side of the Des Moines metro.

What time zone is Johnston in?

Central Time (CST in winter, CDT in summer), the same as the rest of Iowa.

What is the population of Johnston, Iowa?

Johnston's population is about 24,384, making it a mid-sized suburb of Des Moines.

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Updated August 2026
Sources: U.S. Postal Service and ZIP-code directories (ZIP 50131, area code 515, Polk County); U.S. Census Bureau & World Population Review (population, elevation); City of Johnston "History of Johnston" (1846 settlement, Johnston Station name for John F. Johnston, 1969 incorporation). Population is a recent estimate and rounded. Confirm a specific ZIP by the exact address.