Chester, IA
Full City Profile · Iowa · Howard County County
3.7
/5.0
B+
Good
141
Population
102/sq mi density
$57,500
Median Income
$30,698 per capita
$101,800
Home Value
$212,158 Zillow
$513
Median Rent
16.8% income on rent
45°F
Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$57,500 median income, 2.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$101,800 home value, $513/mo rent
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Chester has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.4 inches. The area receives 40.3 inches of snow annually.
Temperature
15°F Jan (-10°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 45.0°F |
| 17% below US avg | |
| January Average | 15°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,213 ft (370 m) |
| Area | 1.3 sq mi (3.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 102/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.4916°N, 92.3640°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Howard County County |
| Nearest Airport | Rochester International (RST) 30 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 15.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 75.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15°F (-10°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 1.0 in | |
| March | 32°F (-0°C) | 1.9 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 3.8 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 4.7 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 5.8 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 4.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 4.3 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 1.8 in | |
| December | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.3 in |
Chester has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 15°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.8") and January the driest (1.0").