Creston, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Union County County

3.1 /5.0
B Good
7,466 Population 1,439/sq mi density
$50,752 Median Income $28,905 per capita
$112,600 Home Value $156,116 Zillow
$672 Median Rent 26.3% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature
272 Violent Crime/100K 1,035 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$50,752 median income, 4.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$112,600 home value, $672/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
272 violent crimes/100K
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Creston experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.9 inches. The area receives 25.5 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.8°F
10% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Geography

Elevation1,290 ft (393 m)
Area5.3 sq mi (13.6 km²)
Population Density1,439/sq mi
Coordinates41.0603°N, 94.3647°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyUnion County County
Nearest AirportDes Moines International (DSM)
46 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 37.9"
0% below US avg
Snowfall 25.5"
Wettest Month (Jun) 5.17"
Driest Month (Jan) 1.04"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score49.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability74.2 / 100
Community Resilience76.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

4 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.6. Most recent: M3.6 on Dec 17, 2009.

Dec 17, 2009 2 km NW of Auburn, Nebraska M3.6 146 km
Jul 16, 2004 6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa M3.5 110 km
Feb 11, 1995 6 km E of Clearmont, Missouri M3.1 79 km
Mar 31, 1993 2 km SE of Nemaha, Nebraska M2.9 136 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

646 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 23 fatalities, 395 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 27, 1953 EF5 52 km 1
May 21, 2024 EF4 51 km 5
Mar 5, 2022 EF4 24 km 6
Apr 8, 1999 EF4 5 km 0
Apr 8, 1999 EF4 51 km 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 5 km 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 84 km 0
May 24, 1989 EF4 31 km 0
Sep 28, 1986 EF4 100 km 0
Jun 7, 1984 EF4 77 km 3
Jun 2, 1980 EF4 62 km 0
Mar 29, 1979 EF4 92 km 0
Jun 18, 1974 EF4 97 km 2
Jun 22, 1964 EF4 100 km 0
Apr 12, 1964 EF4 85 km 1
May 10, 1959 EF4 54 km 0
May 10, 1953 EF4 89 km 0
May 21, 2024 EF3 74 km 0
Mar 5, 2022 EF3 83 km 1
Aug 20, 2019 EF3 74 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,195 ac, 2005).

Year Name Acres Distance
2005 UNNAMED 4,195 81 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 21°F (-6°C) 1.0 in Coldest, Driest
February 25°F (-4°C) 1.5 in
March 37°F (3°C) 2.5 in
April 49°F (9°C) 3.7 in
May 60°F (16°C) 5.2 in
June 70°F (21°C) 5.2 in Wettest
July 74°F (23°C) 4.5 in Warmest
August 72°F (22°C) 4.2 in
September 64°F (18°C) 3.7 in
October 52°F (11°C) 2.8 in
November 37°F (3°C) 2.1 in
December 26°F (-3°C) 1.5 in

Creston has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 21°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.2") and January the driest (1.0").

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