Menlo, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Guthrie County County

3.4 /5.0
B Good
355 Population 710/sq mi density
$78,333 Median Income $35,825 per capita
$107,100 Home Value $234,553 Zillow
$1,078 Median Rent 24.1% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$78,333 median income, 12.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$107,100 home value, $1,078/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Menlo experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.1 inches. The area receives 25.5 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.4°F
10% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Geography

Elevation1,262 ft (385 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density710/sq mi
Coordinates41.5221°N, 94.4038°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyGuthrie County County
Nearest AirportDes Moines International (DSM)
36 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 37.1"
2% below US avg
Snowfall 25.5"
Wettest Month (May) 5.30"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.89"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score26.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience85.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Very 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)

Earthquake History

2 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.5. Most recent: M3.5 on Jul 16, 2004.

Jul 16, 2004 6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa M3.5 138 km
Feb 11, 1995 6 km E of Clearmont, Missouri M3.1 122 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

705 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 19 fatalities, 294 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 13, 1976 EF5 63 km 0
Jun 27, 1953 EF5 26 km 1
May 21, 2024 EF4 82 km 5
Mar 5, 2022 EF4 36 km 6
Apr 8, 1999 EF4 86 km 0
Apr 8, 1999 EF4 55 km 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 35 km 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 74 km 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 50 km 0
May 24, 1989 EF4 66 km 0
May 24, 1989 EF4 92 km 0
Sep 28, 1986 EF4 71 km 0
Jun 26, 1976 EF4 100 km 0
Jun 18, 1974 EF4 69 km 2
May 5, 1965 EF4 87 km 0
May 10, 1959 EF4 19 km 0
Jun 9, 1954 EF4 88 km 1
May 21, 2024 EF3 100 km 0
Jul 14, 2021 EF3 88 km 0
Aug 20, 2019 EF3 79 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

2 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,195 ac, 2005).

Year Name Acres Distance
2005 UNNAMED 4,195 79 km
2016 NEAL SMITH WUI 2016 1 1,050 94 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 20°F (-7°C) 0.9 in Coldest, Driest
February 24°F (-4°C) 1.2 in
March 37°F (3°C) 1.9 in
April 49°F (9°C) 4.1 in
May 60°F (16°C) 5.3 in Wettest
June 70°F (21°C) 5.2 in
July 74°F (23°C) 4.3 in Warmest
August 71°F (22°C) 4.5 in
September 64°F (18°C) 3.6 in
October 51°F (10°C) 2.8 in
November 37°F (3°C) 1.9 in
December 25°F (-4°C) 1.4 in

Menlo has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 20°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.3") and January the driest (0.9").

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