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Van Meter, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Polk County County

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
1,469 Population 335/sq mi density
$133,750 Median Income $47,063 per capita
$250,300 Home Value $402,427 Zillow
$947 Median Rent 26.3% income on rent
51°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
78 Violent Crime/100K 819 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$133,750 median income, 1.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$250,300 home value, $947/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
78 violent crimes/100K
A
Education
4.4 / 5.0
42.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Van Meter experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 275 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 36.6 inches. The area receives 36.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-5°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average50.9°F
6% below US avg
January Average22°F (-5°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation971 ft (296 m)
Area4.4 sq mi (11.3 km²)
Population Density335/sq mi
Coordinates41.5246°N, 93.9442°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyPolk County County
Nearest AirportDes Moines International (DSM)
13 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 36.6"
4% below US avg
Snowfall 36.5"
Wettest Month (Jun) 4.76"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.87"

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)

Earthquake History

1 earthquake (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.1. Most recent: M3.1 on Feb 11, 1995.

Feb 11, 1995 6 km E of Clearmont, Missouri M3.1 141 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tornado History

700 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 20 fatalities, 343 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 13, 1976 EF5 46 km 0
Jun 27, 1953 EF5 64 km 1
Mar 5, 2022 EF4 39 km 6
Apr 8, 1999 EF4 63 km 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 100 km 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 64 km 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 65 km 0
May 24, 1989 EF4 79 km 0
May 24, 1989 EF4 89 km 0
Sep 28, 1986 EF4 38 km 0
Jun 18, 1974 EF4 35 km 2
May 5, 1965 EF4 97 km 0
May 10, 1959 EF4 57 km 0
May 10, 1953 EF4 89 km 0
Mar 5, 2022 EF3 80 km 1
Aug 20, 2019 EF3 46 km 0
Jul 19, 2018 EF3 98 km 0
Jul 19, 2018 EF3 84 km 0
Jun 22, 2015 EF3 80 km 0
Nov 12, 2005 EF3 73 km 1
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 56 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 22°F (-5°C) 0.9 in Coldest, Driest
February 26°F (-3°C) 1.0 in
March 38°F (3°C) 2.2 in
April 50°F (10°C) 3.4 in
May 61°F (16°C) 4.2 in
June 71°F (21°C) 4.8 in Wettest
July 76°F (24°C) 3.9 in Warmest
August 73°F (23°C) 4.1 in
September 64°F (18°C) 3.6 in
October 52°F (11°C) 2.6 in
November 37°F (3°C) 1.8 in
December 25°F (-4°C) 1.1 in

Van Meter has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 22°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.8") and January the driest (0.9").

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