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Colo, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Story County County

3.2 /5.0
B Good
751 Population 702/sq mi density
$73,125 Median Income $38,750 per capita
$147,400 Home Value $248,788 Zillow
$1,200 Median Rent 29.2% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
270 Violent Crime/100K 540 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$73,125 median income, 3.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$147,400 home value, $1,200/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
270 violent crimes/100K
C+
Education
2.5 / 5.0
19.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Colo 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. The area gets 260 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 36.5 inches. The area receives 30.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.8°F
11% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,030 ft (314 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Population Density702/sq mi
Coordinates42.0145°N, 93.3186°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyStory County County
Nearest AirportDes Moines International (DSM)
41 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 36.5"
4% below US avg
Snowfall 30.6"
Wettest Month (Jun) 4.92"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.83"

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score68.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability13.0 / 100
Community Resilience86.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Tornado History

728 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 42 fatalities, 1,163 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 25, 2008 EF5 70 km 9
Jun 13, 1976 EF5 47 km 0
May 15, 1968 EF5 86 km 13
Oct 14, 1966 EF5 92 km 6
May 30, 1989 EF4 32 km 0
May 24, 1989 EF4 48 km 0
Sep 28, 1986 EF4 38 km 0
May 4, 1977 EF4 89 km 0
Aug 12, 1974 EF4 99 km 0
Jun 18, 1974 EF4 40 km 2
Jun 8, 1967 EF4 91 km 0
Aug 26, 1965 EF4 98 km 1
Sep 1, 1961 EF4 89 km 0
Aug 20, 2019 EF3 86 km 0
Jul 19, 2018 EF3 25 km 0
Jul 19, 2018 EF3 69 km 0
Jun 22, 2015 EF3 96 km 0
Nov 12, 2005 EF3 65 km 1
May 11, 2000 EF3 91 km 1
Mar 22, 1991 EF3 29 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Wildfire History

4 wildfires (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 48 km
2009 UNNAMED 939 89 km
2010 FOLEY 786 92 km
2011 IRCP WUI ROFAE #2 FY11 510 83 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 18°F (-8°C) 0.8 in Coldest, Driest
February 23°F (-5°C) 1.0 in
March 35°F (2°C) 2.2 in
April 48°F (9°C) 3.3 in
May 60°F (16°C) 4.3 in
June 70°F (21°C) 4.9 in Wettest
July 73°F (23°C) 4.3 in Warmest
August 71°F (22°C) 4.3 in
September 63°F (17°C) 3.5 in
October 51°F (11°C) 2.6 in
November 36°F (2°C) 1.7 in
December 22°F (-6°C) 1.1 in

Colo has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 18°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 34.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.9") and January the driest (0.8").

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