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Forest City, IA
Full City Profile · Iowa · Winnebago County County
3.3
/5.0
B
Good
4,280
Population
932/sq mi density
$62,917
Median Income
$34,494 per capita
$136,400
Home Value
$178,306 Zillow
$719
Median Rent
23.7% income on rent
45°F
Avg Temperature
260 sunny days/yr
173
Violent Crime/100K
223 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$62,917 median income, 1.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$136,400 home value, $719/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
173 violent crimes/100K
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Forest City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 35.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
Temperature
14°F Jan (-10°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 44.9°F |
| 17% below US avg | |
| January Average | 14°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 260 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,261 ft (384 m) |
| Area | 4.6 sq mi (12.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 932/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.2571°N, 93.6366°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Winnebago County County |
| Nearest Airport | Northeast Iowa Regional (CCY) 53 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 30.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 45.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 83.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 20°F (-7°C) | 0.8 in | Driest |
| March | 32°F (0°C) | 1.9 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3.7 in | |
| June | 69°F (20°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 4.2 in | |
| September | 62°F (16°C) | 3.3 in | |
| October | 49°F (10°C) | 2.3 in | |
| November | 33°F (1°C) | 1.7 in | |
| December | 19°F (-7°C) | 1.0 in |
Forest City has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 14°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.6") and February the driest (0.8").