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Pella, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Mahaska County County

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
10,624 Population 1,137/sq mi density
$81,201 Median Income $42,262 per capita
$259,600 Home Value $349,159 Zillow
$1,041 Median Rent 26.8% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
97 Violent Crime/100K 1,239 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$81,201 median income, 0.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$259,600 home value, $1,041/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
97 violent crimes/100K
A+
Education
4.8 / 5.0
47.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Pella experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 275 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 38.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average50.1°F
7% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation874 ft (266 m)
Area8.7 sq mi (22.6 km²)
Population Density1,137/sq mi
Coordinates41.4047°N, 92.9174°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyMahaska County County
Nearest AirportOttumwa Regional (OTM)
32 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 38.7"
2% above US avg
Wettest Month (Jun) 4.49"
Driest Month (Jan) 1.34"

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score29.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability23.0 / 100
Community Resilience78.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Tornado History

623 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 14 fatalities, 318 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 13, 1976 EF5 98 km 0
Mar 31, 2023 EF4 75 km 0
May 30, 1989 EF4 100 km 0
Sep 28, 1986 EF4 69 km 0
Aug 12, 1974 EF4 72 km 0
Jun 18, 1974 EF4 69 km 2
May 20, 1959 EF4 81 km 0
May 10, 1953 EF4 69 km 0
Mar 31, 2023 EF3 62 km 0
Mar 5, 2022 EF3 65 km 1
Aug 20, 2019 EF3 53 km 0
Jul 19, 2018 EF3 76 km 0
Jul 19, 2018 EF3 6 km 0
Jun 22, 2015 EF3 31 km 0
Apr 8, 1999 EF3 84 km 0
Apr 8, 1999 EF3 63 km 0
Mar 22, 1991 EF3 81 km 0
Mar 13, 1990 EF3 79 km 0
Sep 16, 1978 EF3 67 km 6
May 4, 1977 EF3 80 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Wildfire History

5 wildfires (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 36 km
2009 UNNAMED 939 75 km
2010 FOLEY 786 76 km
2011 ACE AUTO 676 82 km
2011 IRCP WUI ROFAE #2 FY11 510 73 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 22°F (-6°C) 1.3 in Coldest, Driest
February 27°F (-3°C) 1.4 in
March 38°F (3°C) 2.6 in
April 51°F (10°C) 3.5 in
May 62°F (17°C) 4.2 in
June 71°F (22°C) 4.5 in Wettest
July 75°F (24°C) 4.3 in Warmest
August 73°F (23°C) 3.9 in
September 65°F (18°C) 3.9 in
October 53°F (12°C) 2.8 in
November 38°F (3°C) 2.4 in
December 25°F (-4°C) 1.7 in

Pella has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 22°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.5") and January the driest (1.3").

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