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Grinnell, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Poweshiek County County

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
9,527 Population 1,674/sq mi density
$64,426 Median Income $36,382 per capita
$191,700 Home Value $204,472 Zillow
$876 Median Rent 28.8% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
418 Violent Crime/100K 1,789 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$64,426 median income, 3.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$191,700 home value, $876/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
418 violent crimes/100K (10% above avg)
A
Education
4.3 / 5.0
41.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Grinnell experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 275 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 38.2 inches. The area receives 31.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.5°F
12% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,003 ft (306 m)
Area5.6 sq mi (14.4 km²)
Population Density1,674/sq mi
Coordinates41.7352°N, 92.7249°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyPoweshiek County County
Nearest AirportOttumwa Regional (OTM)
46 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 38.2"
0% below US avg
Snowfall 31.0"
Wettest Month (Jun) 4.69"
Driest Month (Jan) 1.06"

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score31.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability21.4 / 100
Community Resilience84.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Tornado History

671 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 27 fatalities, 544 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 25, 2008 EF5 92 km 9
Jun 13, 1976 EF5 97 km 0
Mar 31, 2023 EF4 75 km 0
May 30, 1989 EF4 71 km 0
Sep 28, 1986 EF4 73 km 0
Aug 12, 1974 EF4 45 km 0
Jun 18, 1974 EF4 74 km 2
Aug 26, 1965 EF4 76 km 1
Apr 30, 1954 EF4 90 km 0
Mar 31, 2023 EF3 82 km 0
Aug 20, 2019 EF3 85 km 0
Jul 19, 2018 EF3 46 km 0
Jul 19, 2018 EF3 35 km 0
Jun 22, 2015 EF3 71 km 0
May 21, 2004 EF3 83 km 0
May 11, 2000 EF3 90 km 1
Apr 8, 1999 EF3 99 km 0
May 15, 1998 EF3 97 km 0
Mar 22, 1991 EF3 77 km 0
Mar 13, 1990 EF3 63 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Wildfire History

5 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 49 km
2009 UNNAMED 939 41 km
2010 FOLEY 786 44 km
2011 ACE AUTO 676 52 km
2011 IRCP WUI ROFAE #2 FY11 510 37 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 19°F (-7°C) 1.1 in Coldest, Driest
February 24°F (-4°C) 1.1 in
March 36°F (2°C) 2.3 in
April 49°F (9°C) 3.4 in
May 61°F (16°C) 4.1 in
June 70°F (21°C) 4.7 in Wettest
July 73°F (23°C) 4.1 in Warmest
August 71°F (22°C) 4.3 in
September 63°F (17°C) 4.0 in
October 52°F (11°C) 2.7 in
November 37°F (3°C) 2.1 in
December 24°F (-5°C) 1.5 in

Grinnell has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 19°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.7") and January the driest (1.1").

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