Palo, IA
Full City Profile · Iowa · Linn County County
4.4
/5.0
A
Great
1,173
Population
978/sq mi density
$103,646
Median Income
$41,216 per capita
$274,200
Home Value
$341,983 Zillow
$1,063
Median Rent
23.8% income on rent
48°F
Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.4 / 5.0
Strong
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$103,646 median income, 2.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$274,200 home value, $1,063/mo rent
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
27.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Palo experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.9 inches. The area receives 34.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.
Temperature
20°F Jan (-7°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 48.3°F |
| 11% below US avg | |
| January Average | 20°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 744 ft (227 m) |
| Area | 1.2 sq mi (3.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 978/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.0642°N, 91.7993°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Linn County County |
| Nearest Airport | The Eastern Iowa (CID) 12 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 44.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 64.2% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0481 ppm |
| SO₂ (Sulfur Dioxide) | 0.46 ppb |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 11.3 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 86.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 15.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 98.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°F (-7°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 24°F (-4°C) | 1.2 in | |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 5.6 in | Wettest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 2.9 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 2.0 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.6 in |
Palo has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 20°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.6") and January the driest (1.0").