Earlham, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Madison County County

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
1,406 Population 1,480/sq mi density
$104,464 Median Income $39,300 per capita
$248,400 Home Value $373,975 Zillow
$779 Median Rent 22.3% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature
283 Violent Crime/100K 142 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$104,464 median income, 0.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$248,400 home value, $779/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
283 violent crimes/100K
B
Education
3.3 / 5.0
28.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Earlham experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.8 inches. The area receives 30.7 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.1°F
11% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Geography

Elevation1,098 ft (335 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²)
Population Density1,480/sq mi
Coordinates41.4944°N, 94.1223°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyMadison County County
Nearest AirportDes Moines International (DSM)
22 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 34.8"
8% below US avg
Snowfall 30.7"
Wettest Month (May) 4.99"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.78"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score35.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability54.7 / 100
Community Resilience88.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

1 earthquake (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.1. Most recent: M3.1 on Feb 11, 1995.

Feb 11, 1995 6 km E of Clearmont, Missouri M3.1 130 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

703 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 25 fatalities, 371 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 13, 1976 EF5 53 km 0
Jun 27, 1953 EF5 48 km 1
May 21, 2024 EF4 95 km 5
Mar 5, 2022 EF4 30 km 6
Apr 8, 1999 EF4 54 km 0
Apr 8, 1999 EF4 97 km 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 91 km 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 53 km 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 54 km 0
May 24, 1989 EF4 86 km 0
May 24, 1989 EF4 76 km 0
Sep 28, 1986 EF4 52 km 0
Jun 2, 1980 EF4 99 km 0
Jun 18, 1974 EF4 49 km 2
May 5, 1965 EF4 94 km 0
May 10, 1959 EF4 42 km 0
May 10, 1953 EF4 96 km 0
Mar 5, 2022 EF3 87 km 1
Aug 20, 2019 EF3 56 km 0
Jul 19, 2018 EF3 99 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: NEAL SMITH WUI 2016 1 (1,050 ac, 2016).

Year Name Acres Distance
2016 NEAL SMITH WUI 2016 1 1,050 71 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 20°F (-7°C) 0.8 in Coldest, Driest
February 24°F (-4°C) 1.3 in
March 36°F (2°C) 2.1 in
April 48°F (9°C) 3.6 in
May 59°F (15°C) 5.0 in Wettest
June 69°F (21°C) 4.6 in
July 73°F (23°C) 4.1 in Warmest
August 71°F (22°C) 3.6 in
September 63°F (17°C) 3.6 in
October 51°F (10°C) 2.9 in
November 37°F (3°C) 2.0 in
December 26°F (-4°C) 1.2 in

Earlham has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 20°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 34.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.0") and January the driest (0.8").

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