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Runnells, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Polk County County

3.3 /5.0
B Good
397 Population 684/sq mi density
$98,125 Median Income $37,614 per capita
$196,900 Home Value $415,732 Zillow
$725 Median Rent 27.5% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
529 Violent Crime/100K 1,259 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.7 / 5.0
$98,125 median income, 4.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$196,900 home value, $725/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
529 violent crimes/100K (39% above avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Runnells experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 275 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 36.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.5°F
8% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation839 ft (256 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²)
Population Density684/sq mi
Coordinates41.5140°N, 93.3601°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyPolk County County
Nearest AirportDes Moines International (DSM)
18 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 36.6"
4% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jun) 4.61"
Driest Month (Jan) 1.18"

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

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

674 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 20 fatalities, 379 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 13, 1976 EF5 63 km 0
Mar 5, 2022 EF4 77 km 6
Apr 8, 1999 EF4 97 km 0
May 30, 1989 EF4 87 km 0
May 24, 1989 EF4 88 km 0
Sep 28, 1986 EF4 33 km 0
Jun 18, 1974 EF4 32 km 2
May 20, 1959 EF4 92 km 0
May 10, 1953 EF4 72 km 0
Mar 31, 2023 EF3 99 km 0
Mar 5, 2022 EF3 64 km 1
Aug 20, 2019 EF3 32 km 0
Jul 19, 2018 EF3 36 km 0
Jul 19, 2018 EF3 69 km 0
Jun 22, 2015 EF3 44 km 0
Nov 12, 2005 EF3 94 km 1
Apr 8, 1999 EF3 51 km 0
Mar 22, 1991 EF3 48 km 0
Mar 13, 1990 EF3 56 km 0
Sep 16, 1978 EF3 53 km 6
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Wildfire History

3 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 10 km
2009 UNNAMED 939 100 km
2011 IRCP WUI ROFAE #2 FY11 510 95 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 21°F (-6°C) 1.2 in Coldest, Driest
February 26°F (-3°C) 1.3 in
March 38°F (3°C) 2.4 in
April 50°F (10°C) 3.5 in
May 62°F (16°C) 4.3 in
June 71°F (22°C) 4.6 in Wettest
July 74°F (23°C) 4.1 in Warmest
August 73°F (23°C) 4.0 in
September 65°F (18°C) 3.5 in
October 52°F (11°C) 2.7 in
November 37°F (3°C) 2.2 in
December 25°F (-4°C) 1.5 in

Runnells has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 21°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.6") and January the driest (1.2").

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