Primghar, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · O'Brien County County

4.0 /5.0
A Great
965 Population 710/sq mi density
$77,813 Median Income $33,456 per capita
$135,500 Home Value $179,920 Zillow
$975 Median Rent 33.8% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Strong
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$77,813 median income, 2.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$135,500 home value, $975/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Primghar experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 31.3 inches. The area receives 34.8 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 74°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average48.2°F
11% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average74°F (24°C)

Geography

Elevation1,507 ft (459 m)
Area1.4 sq mi (3.6 km²)
Population Density710/sq mi
Coordinates43.0863°N, 95.6206°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyO'Brien County County
Nearest AirportSioux Gateway/Brig General Bud Day Field (SUX)
61 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 31.3"
18% below US avg
Snowfall 34.8"
Wettest Month (Jun) 4.98"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.82"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score16.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience96.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

1 earthquake (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M2.7. Most recent: M2.7 on Jun 30, 2021.

Jun 30, 2021 4 km E of Rembrandt, Iowa M2.7 51 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

602 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 10 fatalities, 215 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 16, 1992 EF5 86 km 1
Oct 4, 2013 EF4 93 km 0
Apr 9, 2011 EF4 74 km 0
Jun 25, 2010 EF4 48 km 0
Mar 29, 1998 EF4 96 km 1
Jun 16, 1992 EF4 99 km 0
Jun 28, 1979 EF4 97 km 3
Jun 23, 1952 EF4 42 km 0
Apr 9, 2011 EF3 75 km 0
Apr 9, 2011 EF3 86 km 0
Jun 11, 2004 EF3 52 km 0
Aug 7, 1994 EF3 47 km 0
Apr 20, 1985 EF3 98 km 0
Sep 20, 1980 EF3 39 km 0
May 8, 1979 EF3 84 km 0
Jul 5, 1978 EF3 70 km 0
Jun 10, 1977 EF3 71 km 0
Oct 1, 1971 EF3 13 km 0
May 31, 1971 EF3 31 km 0
May 31, 1971 EF3 28 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: DEWEYS PASTURE (641 ac, 2008).

Year Name Acres Distance
2008 DEWEYS PASTURE 641 58 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 18°F (-8°C) 0.8 in Coldest, Driest
February 23°F (-5°C) 0.9 in
March 36°F (2°C) 1.7 in
April 49°F (9°C) 3.3 in
May 61°F (16°C) 4.1 in
June 71°F (22°C) 5.0 in Wettest
July 74°F (24°C) 3.9 in Warmest
August 72°F (22°C) 3.6 in
September 65°F (18°C) 3.3 in
October 51°F (11°C) 2.3 in
November 36°F (2°C) 1.5 in
December 23°F (-5°C) 1.0 in

Primghar has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 18°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.0") and January the driest (0.8").

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