Sanborn is a city in O'Brien County, Iowa, United States.

[3] Sanborn got its start in the year 1871, following construction of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway through that territory.

[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.90 square miles (4.92 km2), all land.

There were 639 housing units at an average density of 340.3 per square mile (131.4/km2).

Hispanic or Latino persons of any race comprised 5.0% of the population.

There were 614 housing units at an average density of 323.2 per square mile (124.8/km2).

34.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 593 housing units at an average density of 327.5 per square mile (126.4/km2).

30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.