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Independence, IA
Full City Profile · Iowa · Buchanan County County
3.3
/5.0
B
Good
6,149
Population
1,020/sq mi density
$72,250
Median Income
$36,517 per capita
$156,900
Home Value
$211,726 Zillow
$769
Median Rent
27.3% income on rent
47°F
Avg Temperature
260 sunny days/yr
361
Violent Crime/100K
1,314 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$72,250 median income, 1.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$156,900 home value, $769/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
361 violent crimes/100K
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
24.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Independence experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 39.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
Temperature
18°F Jan (-8°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 46.5°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 18°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 260 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 915 ft (279 m) |
| Area | 6.2 sq mi (16.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,020/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.4622°N, 91.9032°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Buchanan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Waterloo Regional (ALO) 26 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 24.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 87.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| 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 | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.0 in | |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 3.4 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 4.4 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 2.5 in | |
| November | 35°F (2°C) | 2.1 in | |
| December | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.4 in |
Independence has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 18°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 34.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.5") and January the driest (0.9").