Curlew, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Pocahontas County County

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
43 Population 57/sq mi density
$63,750 Median Income $31,677 per capita
$47,000 Home Value $144,872 Zillow
47°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$63,750 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$47,000 home value, /mo rent
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
5.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Curlew experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.6 inches. The area receives 37.1 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.3°F
12% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Geography

Elevation1,242 ft (379 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density57/sq mi
Coordinates42.9797°N, 94.7378°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyPocahontas County County
Nearest AirportFort Dodge Regional (FOD)
41 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 33.6"
12% below US avg
Snowfall 37.1"
Wettest Month (Jun) 5.54"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.68"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score33.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability31.0 / 100
Community Resilience68.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively 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 Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Relatively High
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

2 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M2.8. Most recent: M2.7 on Jun 30, 2021.

Apr 25, 2017 Near Mankato, Minnesota M2.8 147 km
Jun 30, 2021 4 km E of Rembrandt, Iowa M2.7 35 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

569 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 12 fatalities, 348 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Oct 14, 1966 EF5 91 km 6
Apr 9, 2011 EF4 30 km 0
Jun 28, 1979 EF4 41 km 3
May 4, 1977 EF4 69 km 0
Jun 8, 1967 EF4 69 km 0
May 5, 1965 EF4 79 km 0
Aug 29, 1964 EF4 42 km 0
Jun 9, 1954 EF4 78 km 1
May 10, 1953 EF4 100 km 0
Jun 23, 1952 EF4 94 km 0
Jul 14, 2021 EF3 80 km 0
Jun 12, 2013 EF3 87 km 0
Apr 9, 2011 EF3 60 km 0
Apr 9, 2011 EF3 83 km 0
Jun 11, 2004 EF3 25 km 0
Jun 18, 1994 EF3 92 km 0
Jun 7, 1984 EF3 49 km 0
Sep 20, 1980 EF3 39 km 0
Jun 28, 1979 EF3 50 km 2
Jun 10, 1977 EF3 28 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: DEWEYS PASTURE (641 ac, 2008).

Year Name Acres Distance
2008 DEWEYS PASTURE 641 28 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 17°F (-8°C) 0.7 in Coldest, Driest
February 21°F (-6°C) 0.9 in
March 34°F (1°C) 1.8 in
April 47°F (9°C) 3.7 in
May 60°F (15°C) 4.5 in
June 70°F (21°C) 5.5 in Wettest
July 74°F (23°C) 3.8 in Warmest
August 71°F (22°C) 4.4 in
September 64°F (18°C) 3.4 in
October 51°F (10°C) 2.4 in
November 36°F (2°C) 1.5 in
December 23°F (-5°C) 1.1 in

Curlew has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 17°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.5") and January the driest (0.7").

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