Alton, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Plymouth County County

3.4 /5.0

B Good

1,350 Population 707/sq mi density

$86,136 Median Income $46,986 per capita

$204,600 Home Value $293,821 Zillow

$750 Median Rent 18.8% income on rent

47°F Avg Temperature 291 sunny days/yr

16 Violent Crime/100K 612 property/100K

Overall

3.4 / 5.0

Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education

A+

Economy

4.7 / 5.0

$86,136 median income, 1.8% unemployment

A+

Affordability

5.0 / 5.0

$204,600 home value, $750/mo rent

Safety

1.0 / 5.0

16 violent crimes/100K

C+

Education

2.8 / 5.0

21.9% bachelor's degree or higher

Alton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 291 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 30.0 inches. The area receives 30.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	46.9°F
	13% below US avg
January Average	17°F (-8°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,314 ft (401 m)
Area	1.9 sq mi (4.8 km²)
Population Density	707/sq mi
Coordinates	42.9877°N, 96.0094°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Plymouth County County
Nearest Airport	Sioux Gateway/Brig General Bud Day Field (SUX) 45 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 30.0"

21% below US avg

Snowfall 30.9"

Wettest Month (Jun) 4.13"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.63"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	49.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	26.2 / 100
Community Resilience	89.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

3 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.6. Most recent: M2.5 on Mar 6, 2024.

Feb 6, 1996	1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska	M3.6	136 km
Jun 30, 2021	4 km E of Rembrandt, Iowa	M2.7	76 km
Mar 6, 2024	6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska	M2.5	148 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tornado History

647 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 6 fatalities, 175 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Fatalities
Jun 16, 1992	EF5	90 km	1
Oct 4, 2013	EF4	73 km	0
Apr 9, 2011	EF4	98 km	0
Jun 25, 2010	EF4	51 km	0
Jul 28, 1986	EF4	86 km	0
Jun 23, 1952	EF4	29 km	0
Apr 9, 2011	EF3	92 km	0
Apr 9, 2011	EF3	94 km	0
Apr 9, 2011	EF3	89 km	0
Jun 11, 2004	EF3	80 km	0
Aug 7, 1994	EF3	55 km	0
Jul 5, 1994	EF3	77 km	0
Aug 3, 1981	EF3	98 km	0
Sep 20, 1980	EF3	72 km	0
May 8, 1979	EF3	61 km	0
Jul 5, 1978	EF3	43 km	0
Oct 1, 1971	EF3	43 km	0
May 31, 1971	EF3	54 km	0
May 31, 1971	EF3	70 km	0
May 31, 1971	EF3	26 km	0

Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: DEWEYS PASTURE (641 ac, 2008).

Year	Name	Acres	Distance
2008	DEWEYS PASTURE	641	91 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	17°F (-8°C)	0.6 in	Coldest, Driest
February	23°F (-5°C)	0.6 in
March	35°F (1°C)	1.9 in
April	48°F (9°C)	2.6 in
May	60°F (16°C)	3.4 in
June	70°F (21°C)	4.1 in	Wettest
July	73°F (23°C)	3.4 in	Warmest
August	71°F (22°C)	3.4 in
September	62°F (17°C)	2.9 in
October	50°F (10°C)	2.0 in
November	33°F (1°C)	1.2 in
December	21°F (-6°C)	0.8 in

Alton has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 17°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 26.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.1") and January the driest (0.6").

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