Climax, MN

Full City Profile · Minnesota · Polk County County

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
184 Population 196/sq mi density
$48,750 Median Income $23,425 per capita
$111,300 Home Value $217,931 Zillow
$725 Median Rent 28.8% income on rent
43°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$48,750 median income, 2.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$111,300 home value, $725/mo rent
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
28.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Climax has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 9°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 22.3 inches. The area receives 48.4 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

9°F Jan (-13°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average42.6°F
21% below US avg
January Average9°F (-13°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Geography

Elevation865 ft (264 m)
Area0.9 sq mi (2.4 km²)
Population Density196/sq mi
Coordinates47.6095°N, 96.8122°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyPolk County County
Nearest AirportGrand Forks International (GFK)
29 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 22.3"
41% below US avg
Snowfall 48.4"
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.65"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.55"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score67.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability35.7 / 100
Community Resilience77.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Tornado History

468 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 18 fatalities, 199 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 20, 1957 EF5 89 km 10
Jun 17, 2010 EF4 37 km 0
Aug 26, 2007 EF4 61 km 1
Jun 28, 1975 EF4 83 km 0
Aug 27, 2016 EF3 25 km 0
Jun 17, 2010 EF3 48 km 1
Aug 26, 2007 EF3 85 km 0
Jul 21, 1987 EF3 93 km 0
Jun 28, 1975 EF3 84 km 0
Jun 16, 1973 EF3 33 km 0
Jun 15, 1973 EF3 89 km 0
Jun 21, 1971 EF3 85 km 0
Aug 11, 1958 EF3 43 km 0
Aug 30, 1956 EF3 79 km 0
Jun 24, 2023 EF2 77 km 0
Aug 9, 2021 EF2 80 km 0
Jun 8, 2019 EF2 47 km 0
Jun 29, 2018 EF2 60 km 0
Jul 11, 2017 EF2 49 km 0
Jul 11, 2017 EF2 29 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: OXCART (12,538 ac, 2021).

Year Name Acres Distance
2021 OXCART 12,538 43 km
1987 UNNAMED 10,819 93 km
2003 HICKORY ONE 6,152 100 km
2024 AGASSIZ NWR PROJECT RX 5,562 100 km
2008 UNNAMED 4,932 97 km
1998 16 A 4,255 100 km
2003 NORTH EAST WEIR FIRE 3,956 99 km
2008 POOL 21 3,482 97 km
2009 PARKER POOL 3,166 97 km
2008 UNNAMED 2,420 39 km
2003 ELM LAKE 2,350 95 km
2001 PARKER 12 A 2,337 97 km
2024 4 SQUARE MILE RX 2,320 44 km
2007 UNNAMED 2,270 100 km
2008 UNNAMED 2,166 98 km
2004 UNNAMED 2,113 95 km
2008 UNNAMED 2,092 42 km
2009 MADSEN 1,955 99 km
1988 UNNAMED 1,910 99 km
2008 DAHL POOL 1,897 99 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 9°F (-13°C) 0.6 in Coldest, Driest
February 13°F (-10°C) 0.6 in
March 28°F (-2°C) 1.2 in
April 43°F (6°C) 1.4 in
May 57°F (14°C) 2.8 in
June 67°F (20°C) 3.7 in Wettest
July 71°F (22°C) 3.4 in Warmest
August 69°F (21°C) 2.6 in
September 61°F (16°C) 2.2 in
October 46°F (8°C) 2.2 in
November 30°F (-1°C) 0.9 in
December 17°F (-9°C) 0.9 in

Climax has a seasonal temperature swing of 62°F / from 9°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.7") and January the driest (0.6").

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