Thayer, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Union County County

3.2 /5.0
B Good
50 Population 357/sq mi density
$52,500 Median Income $13,806 per capita
$26,000 Home Value $262,224 Zillow
49°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$52,500 median income, 6.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$26,000 home value, /mo rent
F
Education
1.3 / 5.0
4.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Thayer experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.2 inches. The area receives 27.7 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.2°F
9% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Geography

Elevation1,122 ft (342 m)
Area0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²)
Population Density357/sq mi
Coordinates41.0287°N, 94.0499°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyUnion County County
Nearest AirportDes Moines International (DSM)
37 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 37.2"
2% below US avg
Snowfall 27.7"
Wettest Month (May) 5.31"
Driest Month (Jan) 1.14"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score49.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability74.2 / 100
Community Resilience76.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

2 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.5. Most recent: M3.5 on Jul 16, 2004.

Jul 16, 2004 6 km SSE of Riverton, Iowa M3.5 134 km
Feb 11, 1995 6 km E of Clearmont, Missouri M3.1 96 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

613 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 22 fatalities, 370 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 27, 1953 EF5 72 km 1
May 21, 2024 EF4 75 km 5
Mar 5, 2022 EF4 26 km 6
Apr 8, 1999 EF4 23 km 0
Apr 8, 1999 EF4 74 km 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 97 km 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 31 km 0
May 24, 1989 EF4 57 km 0
Sep 28, 1986 EF4 89 km 0
Jun 7, 1984 EF4 68 km 3
Jun 2, 1980 EF4 47 km 0
Jun 18, 1974 EF4 86 km 2
Apr 21, 1973 EF4 88 km 0
May 20, 1959 EF4 84 km 0
May 10, 1959 EF4 71 km 0
May 10, 1953 EF4 63 km 0
May 21, 2024 EF3 99 km 0
Mar 5, 2022 EF3 57 km 1
Aug 20, 2019 EF3 51 km 0
Jun 22, 2015 EF3 80 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (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 89 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 21°F (-6°C) 1.1 in Coldest, Driest
February 26°F (-3°C) 1.5 in
March 38°F (3°C) 2.0 in
April 49°F (10°C) 3.7 in
May 60°F (16°C) 5.3 in Wettest
June 70°F (21°C) 4.6 in
July 74°F (23°C) 4.9 in Warmest
August 72°F (22°C) 4.4 in
September 64°F (18°C) 3.5 in
October 52°F (11°C) 2.6 in
November 38°F (3°C) 2.0 in
December 27°F (-3°C) 1.5 in

Thayer has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 21°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.3") and January the driest (1.1").

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