Elgin, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Fayette County County

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
848 Population 1,247/sq mi density
$60,114 Median Income $32,303 per capita
$87,300 Home Value $284,529 Zillow
$634 Median Rent 18.3% income on rent
46°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$60,114 median income, 3.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$87,300 home value, $634/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Elgin experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.9 inches. The area receives 39.8 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-9°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average46.0°F
15% below US avg
January Average17°F (-9°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Geography

Elevation820 ft (250 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.7 km²)
Population Density1,247/sq mi
Coordinates42.9554°N, 91.6354°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyFayette County County
Nearest AirportWaterloo Regional (ALO)
48 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 38.9"
2% above US avg
Snowfall 39.8"
Wettest Month (Jun) 5.88"
Driest Month (Jan) 1.12"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score50.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability55.4 / 100
Community Resilience73.8 / 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 Very Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Tornado History

496 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 12 fatalities, 390 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 15, 1968 EF5 40 km 5
Mar 13, 1990 EF4 83 km 0
Aug 12, 1974 EF4 69 km 0
Jul 12, 1971 EF4 73 km 0
Aug 26, 1965 EF4 86 km 1
Apr 30, 1954 EF4 96 km 0
May 10, 1953 EF4 83 km 2
Aug 7, 2021 EF3 77 km 0
May 25, 2008 EF3 51 km 0
Jun 11, 2004 EF3 89 km 0
May 11, 2000 EF3 82 km 1
Jul 27, 1995 EF3 40 km 0
Jul 19, 1994 EF3 63 km 0
Jun 19, 1993 EF3 60 km 0
Jul 13, 1992 EF3 96 km 0
May 30, 1985 EF3 15 km 2
Jun 5, 1980 EF3 86 km 0
Jul 12, 1971 EF3 74 km 0
Jun 24, 1971 EF3 20 km 1
Sep 9, 1970 EF3 94 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 17°F (-9°C) 1.1 in Coldest, Driest
February 20°F (-7°C) 1.2 in
March 33°F (0°C) 2.1 in
April 46°F (8°C) 4.1 in
May 58°F (15°C) 5.0 in
June 68°F (20°C) 5.9 in Wettest
July 72°F (22°C) 4.5 in Warmest
August 70°F (21°C) 4.4 in
September 62°F (16°C) 4.0 in
October 49°F (9°C) 3.0 in
November 35°F (2°C) 2.1 in
December 23°F (-5°C) 1.6 in

Elgin has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 17°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 38.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.9") and January the driest (1.1").

View full weather details →