Denison, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Crawford County County

3.0 /5.0
B Good
8,247 Population 1,261/sq mi density
$63,850 Median Income $28,401 per capita
$137,600 Home Value $182,875 Zillow
$770 Median Rent 27.7% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature
124 Violent Crime/100K 859 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$63,850 median income, 1.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$137,600 home value, $770/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
124 violent crimes/100K
C
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Denison experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.6 inches. The area receives 34.5 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.4°F
12% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Geography

Elevation1,269 ft (387 m)
Area6.6 sq mi (17.0 km²)
Population Density1,261/sq mi
Coordinates42.0164°N, 95.3529°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyCrawford County County
Nearest AirportEppley Airfield (OMA)
57 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 33.6"
12% below US avg
Snowfall 34.5"
Wettest Month (Jun) 4.92"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.74"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score60.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability28.2 / 100
Community Resilience23.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane No Rating
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively High
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

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

Jun 30, 2021 4 km E of Rembrandt, Iowa M2.7 92 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

531 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 15 fatalities, 276 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 27, 1953 EF5 83 km 1
Oct 4, 2013 EF4 72 km 0
Apr 9, 2011 EF4 89 km 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 38 km 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 64 km 0
Jun 28, 1979 EF4 92 km 3
Jun 26, 1976 EF4 66 km 0
May 5, 1965 EF4 79 km 0
May 10, 1959 EF4 83 km 0
Jun 9, 1954 EF4 60 km 1
Jun 23, 1952 EF4 91 km 0
Apr 26, 2024 EF3 81 km 1
Apr 26, 2024 EF3 98 km 0
Apr 26, 2024 EF3 96 km 0
Jul 14, 2021 EF3 54 km 0
Apr 9, 2011 EF3 42 km 0
Apr 9, 2011 EF3 59 km 0
Apr 9, 2011 EF3 38 km 0
Jun 11, 2008 EF3 68 km 4
May 16, 1999 EF3 63 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

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

Year Name Acres Distance
2005 UNNAMED 4,195 83 km
2010 UNNAMED 629 80 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 19°F (-7°C) 0.7 in Coldest, Driest
February 23°F (-5°C) 1.0 in
March 35°F (2°C) 1.9 in
April 47°F (8°C) 3.4 in
May 59°F (15°C) 4.6 in
June 69°F (21°C) 4.9 in Wettest
July 73°F (23°C) 4.1 in Warmest
August 71°F (22°C) 4.4 in
September 63°F (17°C) 3.3 in
October 50°F (10°C) 2.6 in
November 36°F (2°C) 1.5 in
December 24°F (-4°C) 1.2 in

Denison has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 19°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.9") and January the driest (0.7").

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