Ruthven, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Palo Alto County County

3.1 /5.0

B Good

766 Population 1,868/sq mi density

$58,750 Median Income $28,210 per capita

$103,400 Home Value $174,396 Zillow

$650 Median Rent 19.2% income on rent

47°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr

580 Violent Crime/100K 1,134 property/100K

Overall

3.1 / 5.0

Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education

Economy

4.1 / 5.0

$58,750 median income, 0.8% unemployment

A+

Affordability

5.0 / 5.0

$103,400 home value, $650/mo rent

Safety

1.0 / 5.0

580 violent crimes/100K (53% above avg)

Education

2.2 / 5.0

15.4% bachelor's degree or higher

Ruthven experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 33.6 inches. The area receives 37.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	47.3°F
	12% below US avg
January Average	17°F (-8°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	260 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,436 ft (438 m)
Area	0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²)
Population Density	1,868/sq mi
Coordinates	43.1301°N, 94.8987°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Palo Alto County County
Nearest Airport	Fort Dodge Regional (FOD) 54 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 33.6"

12% below US avg

Snowfall 37.1"

Wettest Month (Jun) 4.21"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.59"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

Ozone (O₃)	0.0475 ppm
PM2.5 (Fine Particles)	9.0 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	15.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	86.5 / 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 Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

2 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M2.8. Most recent: M2.7 on Jun 30, 2021.

Apr 25, 2017	Near Mankato, Minnesota	M2.8	138 km
Jun 30, 2021	4 km E of Rembrandt, Iowa	M2.7	38 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tornado History

554 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 7 fatalities, 185 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Fatalities
Apr 9, 2011	EF4	45 km	0
Jun 25, 2010	EF4	92 km	0
Jun 28, 1979	EF4	61 km	3
May 4, 1977	EF4	90 km	0
Jun 8, 1967	EF4	90 km	0
May 5, 1965	EF4	99 km	0
Aug 29, 1964	EF4	59 km	0
Jun 9, 1954	EF4	96 km	1
Jun 23, 1952	EF4	88 km	0
Jul 14, 2021	EF3	97 km	0
Apr 9, 2011	EF3	71 km	0
Apr 9, 2011	EF3	92 km	0
Aug 1, 2006	EF3	87 km	0
Jun 11, 2004	EF3	28 km	0
Aug 7, 1994	EF3	86 km	0
Jun 7, 1984	EF3	56 km	0
Sep 20, 1980	EF3	21 km	0
Jun 28, 1979	EF3	54 km	2
Jun 10, 1977	EF3	15 km	0
Sep 21, 1973	EF3	86 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	7 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	17°F (-8°C)	0.6 in	Coldest, Driest
February	21°F (-6°C)	0.7 in
March	33°F (0°C)	2.0 in
April	47°F (8°C)	2.8 in
May	59°F (15°C)	3.5 in
June	69°F (21°C)	4.2 in	Wettest
July	74°F (23°C)	4.0 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	3.9 in
September	62°F (16°C)	3.4 in
October	49°F (10°C)	2.2 in
November	33°F (0°C)	1.3 in
December	19°F (-7°C)	0.9 in

Ruthven has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 17°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 29.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.2") and January the driest (0.6").

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