Carlisle, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Polk County County

3.4 /5.0
B Good
4,187 Population 741/sq mi density
$98,333 Median Income $41,072 per capita
$208,100 Home Value $289,465 Zillow
$896 Median Rent 29.3% income on rent
51°F Avg Temperature
114 Violent Crime/100K 525 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$98,333 median income, 4.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$208,100 home value, $896/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
114 violent crimes/100K
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
27.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Carlisle experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.5 inches. The area receives 36.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-5°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average50.9°F
6% below US avg
January Average22°F (-5°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Geography

Elevation777 ft (237 m)
Area5.6 sq mi (14.4 km²)
Population Density741/sq mi
Coordinates41.5136°N, 93.4968°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyPolk County County
Nearest AirportDes Moines International (DSM)
11 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 36.5"
4% below US avg
Snowfall 36.5"
Wettest Month (Jun) 5.26"
Driest Month (Jan) 1.08"

Air Quality

AQI Median45.0
RatingGood
Good Days %67.5%
Unhealthy Days0

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

Ozone (O₃)0.0449 ppm
NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide)10.2 ppb
PM2.5 (Fine Particles)9.4 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score92.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability17.0 / 100
Community Resilience91.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively High
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively High
Strong Wind Very High
Heat Wave Relatively High
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Relatively High
Drought Relatively High
Cold Wave Relatively High
Landslide Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Tornado History

682 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 19 fatalities, 375 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 13, 1976 EF5 56 km 0
Mar 5, 2022 EF4 67 km 6
Apr 8, 1999 EF4 87 km 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 92 km 0
May 30, 1989 EF4 89 km 0
May 24, 1989 EF4 84 km 0
Sep 28, 1986 EF4 28 km 0
Jun 18, 1974 EF4 26 km 2
May 20, 1959 EF4 95 km 0
May 10, 1959 EF4 94 km 0
May 10, 1953 EF4 73 km 0
Mar 5, 2022 EF3 64 km 1
Aug 20, 2019 EF3 29 km 0
Jul 19, 2018 EF3 74 km 0
Jul 19, 2018 EF3 47 km 0
Jun 22, 2015 EF3 50 km 0
Nov 12, 2005 EF3 88 km 1
Apr 8, 1999 EF3 49 km 0
Mar 22, 1991 EF3 44 km 0
Mar 13, 1990 EF3 57 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: NEAL SMITH WUI 2016 1 (1,050 ac, 2016).

Year Name Acres Distance
2016 NEAL SMITH WUI 2016 1 1,050 19 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 22°F (-5°C) 1.1 in Coldest, Driest
February 27°F (-3°C) 1.3 in
March 39°F (4°C) 2.2 in
April 51°F (11°C) 4.0 in
May 62°F (17°C) 5.2 in
June 72°F (22°C) 5.3 in Wettest
July 76°F (24°C) 3.8 in Warmest
August 74°F (23°C) 4.2 in
September 66°F (19°C) 3.2 in
October 53°F (12°C) 2.8 in
November 39°F (4°C) 1.9 in
December 28°F (-2°C) 1.6 in

Carlisle has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 22°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.3") and January the driest (1.1").

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