Central City, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Linn County County

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
1,266 Population 1,183/sq mi density
$81,607 Median Income $36,861 per capita
$166,400 Home Value $296,549 Zillow
$715 Median Rent 27.5% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$81,607 median income, 4.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$166,400 home value, $715/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
18.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Central City experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 39.1 inches. The area receives 34.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average46.5°F
14% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Geography

Elevation825 ft (251 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²)
Population Density1,183/sq mi
Coordinates42.2014°N, 91.5230°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyLinn County County
Nearest AirportMonticello Regional (MXO)
18 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 39.1"
3% above US avg
Snowfall 34.3"
Wettest Month (Jun) 5.87"
Driest Month (Jan) 1.22"

Air Quality

AQI Median44.0
RatingGood
Good Days %64.2%
Unhealthy Days0

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

Ozone (O₃)0.0481 ppm
SO₂ (Sulfur Dioxide)0.46 ppb
PM2.5 (Fine Particles)11.3 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score86.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability15.4 / 100
Community Resilience98.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Tornado History

632 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 15 fatalities, 425 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 15, 1968 EF5 62 km 5
Mar 13, 1990 EF4 9 km 0
Aug 12, 1974 EF4 74 km 0
Aug 12, 1974 EF4 17 km 0
Aug 26, 1965 EF4 57 km 1
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 63 km 1
Apr 30, 1954 EF4 22 km 0
May 25, 2008 EF3 60 km 0
May 21, 2004 EF3 30 km 0
May 11, 2000 EF3 84 km 1
Jul 27, 1995 EF3 46 km 0
May 9, 1995 EF3 88 km 0
Jun 19, 1993 EF3 67 km 0
Jun 19, 1993 EF3 24 km 0
Jul 13, 1992 EF3 33 km 0
May 8, 1988 EF3 79 km 0
May 30, 1985 EF3 72 km 2
May 4, 1977 EF3 96 km 0
Nov 9, 1975 EF3 78 km 0
Jul 12, 1971 EF3 11 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

4 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (939 ac, 2009).

Year Name Acres Distance
2009 UNNAMED 939 71 km
2010 FOLEY 786 70 km
2011 ACE AUTO 676 64 km
2011 IRCP WUI ROFAE #2 FY11 510 75 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 18°F (-8°C) 1.2 in Coldest, Driest
February 22°F (-6°C) 1.3 in
March 34°F (1°C) 2.0 in
April 46°F (8°C) 3.9 in
May 58°F (14°C) 4.8 in
June 68°F (20°C) 5.9 in Wettest
July 72°F (22°C) 5.0 in Warmest
August 70°F (21°C) 4.3 in
September 62°F (17°C) 3.9 in
October 49°F (10°C) 3.1 in
November 36°F (2°C) 2.2 in
December 24°F (-5°C) 1.6 in

Central City has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 18°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.9") and January the driest (1.2").

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