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Polk City, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Polk County County

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
5,833 Population 1,049/sq mi density
$163,000 Median Income $56,787 per capita
$385,000 Home Value $419,774 Zillow
$746 Median Rent 27.5% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
20 Violent Crime/100K 499 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$163,000 median income, 1.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$385,000 home value, $746/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
20 violent crimes/100K
A+
Education
4.8 / 5.0
47.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Polk City 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 36.2 inches. The area receives 38.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average50.3°F
7% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation936 ft (285 m)
Area4.5 sq mi (11.6 km²)
Population Density1,049/sq mi
Coordinates41.7818°N, 93.7226°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyPolk County County
Nearest AirportDes Moines International (DSM)
20 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 36.2"
5% below US avg
Snowfall 38.0"
Wettest Month (Jun) 4.84"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.87"

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)

Tornado History

725 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 21 fatalities, 391 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 13, 1976 EF5 21 km 0
Jun 27, 1953 EF5 89 km 1
Mar 5, 2022 EF4 73 km 6
Apr 8, 1999 EF4 97 km 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 77 km 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 98 km 0
May 30, 1989 EF4 72 km 0
May 24, 1989 EF4 51 km 0
Sep 28, 1986 EF4 11 km 0
May 4, 1977 EF4 90 km 0
Jun 18, 1974 EF4 10 km 2
Jun 8, 1967 EF4 90 km 0
May 5, 1965 EF4 84 km 0
May 10, 1959 EF4 82 km 0
Jun 9, 1954 EF4 99 km 1
Mar 5, 2022 EF3 98 km 1
Aug 20, 2019 EF3 61 km 0
Jul 19, 2018 EF3 67 km 0
Jul 19, 2018 EF3 74 km 0
Jun 22, 2015 EF3 85 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 43 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 22°F (-6°C) 0.9 in Coldest, Driest
February 25°F (-4°C) 1.0 in
March 37°F (3°C) 2.2 in
April 50°F (10°C) 3.4 in
May 61°F (16°C) 4.2 in
June 71°F (21°C) 4.8 in Wettest
July 75°F (24°C) 3.9 in Warmest
August 73°F (23°C) 4.1 in
September 64°F (18°C) 3.4 in
October 52°F (11°C) 2.6 in
November 37°F (3°C) 1.8 in
December 24°F (-4°C) 1.2 in

Polk City has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 22°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.8") and January the driest (0.9").

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