Alton, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Plymouth County County

4.2 /5.0
A Great
1,350 Population 707/sq mi density
$86,136 Median Income $46,986 per capita
$204,600 Home Value $314,966 Zillow
$750 Median Rent 18.8% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.2 / 5.0
Strong
A+
Economy
4.7 / 5.0
$86,136 median income, 2.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$204,600 home value, $750/mo rent
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
21.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Alton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 28.3 inches. The area receives 26.6 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.0°F
11% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Geography

Elevation1,314 ft (401 m)
Area1.9 sq mi (4.8 km²)
Population Density707/sq mi
Coordinates42.9877°N, 96.0094°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyPlymouth County County
Nearest AirportSioux Gateway/Brig General Bud Day Field (SUX)
45 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 28.3"
26% below US avg
Snowfall 26.6"
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.93"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.74"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score49.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability26.2 / 100
Community Resilience89.1 / 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 18°F (-8°C) 0.8 in Coldest
February 23°F (-5°C) 0.7 in Driest
March 36°F (2°C) 1.8 in
April 49°F (9°C) 2.9 in
May 61°F (16°C) 3.8 in
June 71°F (22°C) 3.9 in Wettest
July 73°F (23°C) 3.5 in Warmest
August 71°F (22°C) 3.5 in
September 64°F (18°C) 2.9 in
October 51°F (11°C) 2.3 in
November 36°F (2°C) 1.3 in
December 23°F (-5°C) 1.0 in

Alton has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 18°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 28.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (0.7").

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