Garden City, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Hardin County County

4.4 /5.0
A Great
67 Population 67/sq mi density
$36,667 Median Income $32,976 per capita
$61,100 Home Value $239,047 Zillow
49°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.4 / 5.0
Strong
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$36,667 median income, unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$61,100 home value, /mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
0.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Garden City experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.6 inches. The area receives 39.1 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.6°F
10% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Geography

Elevation1,201 ft (366 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density67/sq mi
Coordinates42.2455°N, 93.3954°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyHardin County County
Nearest AirportFort Dodge Regional (FOD)
46 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 34.6"
9% below US avg
Snowfall 39.1"
Wettest Month (Jun) 5.62"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.61"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score58.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability38.3 / 100
Community Resilience80.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Tornado History

729 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 42 fatalities, 1,149 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 25, 2008 EF5 54 km 9
Jun 13, 1976 EF5 53 km 0
May 15, 1968 EF5 63 km 13
Oct 14, 1966 EF5 65 km 6
May 30, 1989 EF4 19 km 0
May 24, 1989 EF4 35 km 0
Sep 28, 1986 EF4 58 km 0
May 4, 1977 EF4 70 km 0
Jun 18, 1974 EF4 60 km 2
Jun 8, 1967 EF4 71 km 0
Aug 26, 1965 EF4 99 km 1
May 5, 1965 EF4 89 km 0
Sep 1, 1961 EF4 68 km 0
May 10, 1953 EF4 92 km 0
Jul 19, 2018 EF3 35 km 0
Jul 19, 2018 EF3 95 km 0
Jun 12, 2013 EF3 75 km 0
Nov 12, 2005 EF3 57 km 1
May 11, 2000 EF3 83 km 1
Jun 18, 1994 EF3 97 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

2 wildfires (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 74 km
2011 IRCP WUI ROFAE #2 FY11 510 96 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 20°F (-7°C) 0.6 in Coldest, Driest
February 24°F (-4°C) 0.8 in
March 37°F (3°C) 1.7 in
April 49°F (10°C) 3.7 in
May 61°F (16°C) 4.5 in
June 71°F (21°C) 5.6 in Wettest
July 73°F (23°C) 4.1 in Warmest
August 71°F (22°C) 4.1 in
September 63°F (17°C) 3.8 in
October 51°F (11°C) 2.8 in
November 37°F (3°C) 1.8 in
December 25°F (-4°C) 1.1 in

Garden City has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 20°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 34.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.6") and January the driest (0.6").

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