Rock Rapids, IA
Full City Profile · Iowa · Lyon County County
3.8
/5.0
B+
Good
2,653
Population
630/sq mi density
$61,679
Median Income
$31,605 per capita
$207,700
Home Value
$266,121 Zillow
$763
Median Rent
20.6% income on rent
46°F
Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$61,679 median income, 3.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$207,700 home value, $763/mo rent
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Rock Rapids experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 29.3 inches. The area receives 34.9 inches of snow annually.
Temperature
16°F Jan (-9°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 46.0°F |
| 15% below US avg | |
| January Average | 16°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,336 ft (407 m) |
| Area | 4.0 sq mi (10.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 630/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.4267°N, 96.1664°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lyon County County |
| Nearest Airport | Joe Foss Field (FSD) 31 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 19.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 79.4 / 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 Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 20°F (-6°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 33°F (0°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 4.0 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 5.0 in | Wettest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 3.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (21°C) | 3.1 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 3.2 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 2.2 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 1.4 in | |
| December | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.8 in |
Rock Rapids has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 16°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 29.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.0") and January the driest (0.6").