Merrill, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Plymouth County County

3.1 /5.0

B Good

885 Population 1,702/sq mi density

$79,250 Median Income $33,639 per capita

$157,200 Home Value $259,670 Zillow

$581 Median Rent 17.8% income on rent

47°F Avg Temperature 291 sunny days/yr

173 Violent Crime/100K 2,291 property/100K

Overall

3.1 / 5.0

Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education

A+

Economy

4.6 / 5.0

$79,250 median income, 1.3% unemployment

A+

Affordability

5.0 / 5.0

$157,200 home value, $581/mo rent

Safety

1.0 / 5.0

173 violent crimes/100K

Education

2.0 / 5.0

11.9% bachelor's degree or higher

Merrill experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 291 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 30.0 inches. The area receives 30.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	46.9°F
	13% below US avg
January Average	17°F (-8°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,190 ft (363 m)
Area	0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density	1,702/sq mi
Coordinates	42.7205°N, 96.2519°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Plymouth County County
Nearest Airport	Sioux Gateway/Brig General Bud Day Field (SUX) 23 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 30.0"

21% below US avg

Snowfall 30.9"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.94"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.59"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	49.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	26.2 / 100
Community Resilience	89.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

5 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.6. Most recent: M2.5 on Mar 6, 2024.

Feb 6, 1996	1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska	M3.6	108 km
Aug 9, 1997	9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska	M3.4	128 km
Jan 4, 2021	5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota	M3.1	136 km
Jun 30, 2021	4 km E of Rembrandt, Iowa	M2.7	94 km
Mar 6, 2024	6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska	M2.5	128 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tornado History

625 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 8 fatalities, 133 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Fatalities
Jun 16, 2014	EF4	83 km	0
Oct 4, 2013	EF4	95 km	0
Oct 4, 2013	EF4	45 km	0
Jun 25, 2010	EF4	84 km	0
Jun 23, 2003	EF4	91 km	1
Jul 28, 1986	EF4	59 km	0
Jul 7, 1977	EF4	73 km	0
Jun 7, 1965	EF4	94 km	1
Jun 23, 1952	EF4	33 km	0
Jun 17, 2014	EF3	85 km	0
Apr 9, 2011	EF3	72 km	0
Apr 9, 2011	EF3	95 km	0
Apr 9, 2011	EF3	89 km	0
Aug 7, 1994	EF3	90 km	0
Jul 5, 1994	EF3	44 km	0
May 27, 1991	EF3	95 km	0
Aug 3, 1981	EF3	96 km	0
May 8, 1979	EF3	31 km	0
Jul 5, 1978	EF3	54 km	0
Oct 1, 1971	EF3	72 km	0

Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	17°F (-8°C)	0.6 in	Coldest, Driest
February	23°F (-5°C)	0.6 in
March	35°F (2°C)	1.9 in
April	48°F (9°C)	2.6 in
May	61°F (16°C)	3.5 in
June	70°F (21°C)	3.9 in	Wettest
July	73°F (23°C)	3.3 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	3.2 in
September	63°F (17°C)	2.8 in
October	50°F (10°C)	2.0 in
November	34°F (1°C)	1.3 in
December	21°F (-6°C)	0.8 in

Merrill has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 17°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 26.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.9") and January the driest (0.6").

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