Dexter, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Dallas County County

4.0 /5.0
A Great
781 Population 625/sq mi density
$83,214 Median Income $34,816 per capita
$157,200 Home Value $250,451 Zillow
$867 Median Rent 13.9% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Strong
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$83,214 median income, 4.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$157,200 home value, $867/mo rent
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
21.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Dexter experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.1 inches. The area receives 30.7 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.4°F
10% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Geography

Elevation1,148 ft (350 m)
Area1.3 sq mi (3.2 km²)
Population Density625/sq mi
Coordinates41.5154°N, 94.2276°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyDallas County County
Nearest AirportDes Moines International (DSM)
27 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 37.1"
2% below US avg
Snowfall 30.7"
Wettest Month (May) 5.30"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.89"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score60.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience98.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
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)

Earthquake History

2 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.5. Most recent: M3.5 on Jul 16, 2004.

Jul 16, 2004 6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa M3.5 148 km
Feb 11, 1995 6 km E of Clearmont, Missouri M3.1 128 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

705 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 20 fatalities, 312 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 13, 1976 EF5 55 km 0
Jun 27, 1953 EF5 40 km 1
May 21, 2024 EF4 90 km 5
Mar 5, 2022 EF4 31 km 6
Apr 8, 1999 EF4 93 km 0
Apr 8, 1999 EF4 55 km 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 83 km 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 52 km 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 46 km 0
May 24, 1989 EF4 86 km 0
May 24, 1989 EF4 72 km 0
Sep 28, 1986 EF4 58 km 0
Jun 18, 1974 EF4 56 km 2
May 5, 1965 EF4 90 km 0
May 10, 1959 EF4 34 km 0
Jun 9, 1954 EF4 94 km 1
Mar 5, 2022 EF3 95 km 1
Jul 14, 2021 EF3 95 km 0
Aug 20, 2019 EF3 65 km 0
Nov 12, 2005 EF3 74 km 1
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 93 km
2016 NEAL SMITH WUI 2016 1 1,050 79 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 20°F (-7°C) 0.9 in Coldest, Driest
February 24°F (-4°C) 1.2 in
March 37°F (3°C) 1.9 in
April 49°F (9°C) 4.1 in
May 60°F (16°C) 5.3 in Wettest
June 70°F (21°C) 5.2 in
July 74°F (23°C) 4.3 in Warmest
August 71°F (22°C) 4.5 in
September 64°F (18°C) 3.6 in
October 51°F (10°C) 2.8 in
November 37°F (3°C) 1.9 in
December 25°F (-4°C) 1.4 in

Dexter has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 20°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.3") and January the driest (0.9").

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