Shellsburg, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Linn County County

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
752 Population 940/sq mi density
$69,750 Median Income $33,674 per capita
$184,100 Home Value $344,785 Zillow
$928 Median Rent 22.5% 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
4.4 / 5.0
$69,750 median income, 2.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$184,100 home value, $928/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
14.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Shellsburg experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.9 inches. The area receives 33.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average46.0°F
15% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Geography

Elevation775 ft (236 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density940/sq mi
Coordinates42.0929°N, 91.8713°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyLinn County County
Nearest AirportThe Eastern Iowa (CID)
16 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 37.9"
0% below US avg
Snowfall 33.6"
Wettest Month (Jun) 5.62"
Driest Month (Jan) 1.19"

Air Quality

AQI Median44.0
RatingGood
Good Days %64.2%
Unhealthy Days0

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

Ozone (O₃)0.0481 ppm
SO₂ (Sulfur Dioxide)0.46 ppb
PM2.5 (Fine Particles)11.3 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score86.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability15.4 / 100
Community Resilience98.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Tornado History

628 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 24 fatalities, 592 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 25, 2008 EF5 97 km 9
May 15, 1968 EF5 64 km 5
Mar 31, 2023 EF4 88 km 0
Mar 13, 1990 EF4 40 km 0
Aug 12, 1974 EF4 43 km 0
Aug 12, 1974 EF4 46 km 0
Aug 26, 1965 EF4 36 km 1
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 82 km 1
Apr 30, 1954 EF4 10 km 0
Jul 19, 2018 EF3 95 km 0
May 25, 2008 EF3 58 km 0
May 21, 2004 EF3 6 km 0
May 11, 2000 EF3 67 km 1
May 15, 1998 EF3 91 km 0
Jul 27, 1995 EF3 59 km 0
Jun 19, 1993 EF3 98 km 0
Jun 19, 1993 EF3 46 km 0
Jul 13, 1992 EF3 62 km 0
May 8, 1988 EF3 98 km 0
May 30, 1985 EF3 89 km 2
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

4 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (939 ac, 2009).

Year Name Acres Distance
2009 UNNAMED 939 41 km
2010 FOLEY 786 39 km
2011 ACE AUTO 676 35 km
2011 IRCP WUI ROFAE #2 FY11 510 44 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 17°F (-8°C) 1.2 in Coldest, Driest
February 21°F (-6°C) 1.3 in
March 34°F (1°C) 2.1 in
April 47°F (8°C) 3.9 in
May 58°F (14°C) 5.0 in
June 68°F (20°C) 5.6 in Wettest
July 71°F (22°C) 4.2 in Warmest
August 69°F (20°C) 4.2 in
September 62°F (16°C) 3.7 in
October 49°F (9°C) 3.2 in
November 35°F (2°C) 2.1 in
December 23°F (-5°C) 1.6 in

Shellsburg has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 17°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.6") and January the driest (1.2").

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