Luther, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Polk County County

4.1 /5.0
A Great
130 Population 220/sq mi density
$86,667 Median Income $37,945 per capita
$183,000 Home Value $275,847 Zillow
50°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Strong
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$86,667 median income, 2.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$183,000 home value, /mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Luther experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.9 inches. The area receives 32.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.5°F
8% below US avg
January Average20°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Geography

Elevation1,095 ft (334 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density220/sq mi
Coordinates41.9669°N, 93.8176°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyPolk County County
Nearest AirportDes Moines International (DSM)
33 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 35.9"
6% below US avg
Snowfall 32.7"
Wettest Month (May) 4.99"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.69"

Air Quality

AQI Median45.0
RatingGood
Good Days %67.5%
Unhealthy Days0

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

Ozone (O₃)0.0449 ppm
NO₂ (Nitrogen Dioxide)10.2 ppb
PM2.5 (Fine Particles)9.4 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score92.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability17.0 / 100
Community Resilience91.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

1 earthquake (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M2.7. Most recent: M2.7 on Jun 30, 2021.

Jun 30, 2021 4 km E of Rembrandt, Iowa M2.7 143 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

738 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 29 fatalities, 560 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 13, 1976 EF5 6 km 0
Oct 14, 1966 EF5 94 km 6
Jun 27, 1953 EF5 93 km 1
Mar 5, 2022 EF4 88 km 6
May 27, 1995 EF4 90 km 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 72 km 0
May 30, 1989 EF4 64 km 0
May 24, 1989 EF4 29 km 0
Sep 28, 1986 EF4 30 km 0
Jun 28, 1979 EF4 98 km 3
May 4, 1977 EF4 68 km 0
Jun 18, 1974 EF4 31 km 2
Jun 8, 1967 EF4 68 km 0
May 5, 1965 EF4 65 km 0
May 10, 1959 EF4 85 km 0
Jun 9, 1954 EF4 82 km 1
Jul 14, 2021 EF3 86 km 0
Aug 20, 2019 EF3 83 km 0
Jul 19, 2018 EF3 67 km 0
Jul 19, 2018 EF3 92 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (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 62 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 20°F (-6°C) 0.7 in Coldest, Driest
February 25°F (-4°C) 1.0 in
March 38°F (3°C) 2.0 in
April 50°F (10°C) 3.9 in
May 62°F (16°C) 5.0 in Wettest
June 71°F (22°C) 4.9 in
July 74°F (23°C) 4.5 in Warmest
August 72°F (22°C) 4.8 in
September 65°F (19°C) 3.5 in
October 53°F (12°C) 2.6 in
November 38°F (3°C) 1.9 in
December 26°F (-4°C) 1.2 in

Luther has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 20°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.0") and January the driest (0.7").

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