Emmetsburg, IA
Full City Profile · Iowa · Palo Alto County County
2.9
/5.0
C+
Fair
3,651
Population
963/sq mi density
$57,353
Median Income
$33,900 per capita
$114,600
Home Value
$173,138 Zillow
$589
Median Rent
27.1% income on rent
47°F
Avg Temperature
222
Violent Crime/100K
556 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$57,353 median income, 3.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$114,600 home value, $589/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
222 violent crimes/100K
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Emmetsburg 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. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.
Temperature
17°F Jan (-8°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 47.3°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 17°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,225 ft (373 m) |
| Area | 3.8 sq mi (9.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 963/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.1148°N, 94.6796°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Palo Alto County County |
| Nearest Airport | Fort Dodge Regional (FOD) 46 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 73.8% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0475 ppm |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 9.0 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 15.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 86.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
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 |
Emmetsburg 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").