Cotter, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Louisa County County

4.5 /5.0
A+ Excellent
23 Population 230/sq mi density
$108,300 Home Value $234,921 Zillow
49°F Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
4.5 / 5.0
Strong
A+
Education
4.5 / 5.0
0.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Cotter experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.8 inches. The area receives 31.3 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-6°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.8°F
10% below US avg
January Average20°F (-6°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Geography

Elevation714 ft (218 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density230/sq mi
Coordinates41.2925°N, 91.4620°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyLouisa County County
Nearest AirportSoutheast Iowa Regional (BRL)
39 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 38.8"
2% above US avg
Snowfall 31.3"
Wettest Month (May) 5.41"
Driest Month (Jan) 1.17"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score17.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability13.6 / 100
Community Resilience58.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Tornado History

627 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 14 fatalities, 288 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Mar 31, 2023 EF4 48 km 0
May 13, 1995 EF4 80 km 0
Aug 12, 1974 EF4 79 km 0
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 76 km 1
Apr 30, 1954 EF4 93 km 0
Mar 31, 2023 EF3 77 km 0
May 27, 2019 EF3 83 km 0
Jun 1, 2007 EF3 23 km 0
May 21, 2004 EF3 89 km 0
May 15, 1998 EF3 22 km 0
May 9, 1995 EF3 59 km 0
May 8, 1988 EF3 76 km 0
Aug 15, 1978 EF3 57 km 0
Jun 14, 1974 EF3 67 km 0
May 13, 1974 EF3 81 km 0
May 1, 1973 EF3 100 km 2
May 18, 1971 EF3 85 km 0
May 18, 1971 EF3 86 km 0
Apr 21, 1967 EF3 51 km 0
Apr 16, 1967 EF3 85 km 2
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

9 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: UNIT 3 (1,206 ac, 1999).

Year Name Acres Distance
1999 UNIT 3 1,206 37 km
2002 HSB 03 2 1,130 36 km
2009 UNNAMED 939 92 km
2010 FOLEY 786 89 km
2000 DESTRUST A 756 36 km
2011 ACE AUTO 676 80 km
2006 HSB 003 674 37 km
2004 HSB 009 608 36 km
2011 IRCP WUI ROFAE #2 FY11 510 99 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 20°F (-6°C) 1.2 in Coldest, Driest
February 24°F (-4°C) 1.9 in
March 37°F (3°C) 2.3 in
April 50°F (10°C) 3.9 in
May 61°F (16°C) 5.4 in Wettest
June 70°F (21°C) 4.9 in
July 73°F (23°C) 4.1 in Warmest
August 72°F (22°C) 4.2 in
September 64°F (18°C) 3.8 in
October 51°F (11°C) 3.0 in
November 38°F (3°C) 2.2 in
December 26°F (-3°C) 1.9 in

Cotter has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 20°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 38.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.4") and January the driest (1.2").

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