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Wadena, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Fayette County County

3.0 /5.0
B Good
206 Population 275/sq mi density
$48,438 Median Income $26,951 per capita
$89,300 Home Value $199,831 Zillow
$594 Median Rent 30.6% income on rent
45°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
627 Violent Crime/100K 2,281 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$48,438 median income, 1.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$89,300 home value, $594/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
627 violent crimes/100K (65% above avg)
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Wadena has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 39.5 inches. The area receives 41.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

15°F Jan (-9°C) 71°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average45.0°F
17% below US avg
January Average15°F (-9°C)
July Average71°F (21°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Geography

Elevation860 ft (262 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.9 km²)
Population Density275/sq mi
Coordinates42.8397°N, 91.6594°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyFayette County County
Nearest AirportWaterloo Regional (ALO)
42 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 39.5"
4% above US avg
Snowfall 41.1"
Wettest Month (Aug) 4.45"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.98"

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score50.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability55.4 / 100
Community Resilience73.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Tornado History

523 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 13 fatalities, 386 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 15, 1968 EF5 29 km 5
Mar 13, 1990 EF4 71 km 0
Aug 12, 1974 EF4 56 km 0
Jul 12, 1971 EF4 78 km 0
Aug 26, 1965 EF4 75 km 1
Apr 30, 1954 EF4 83 km 0
May 10, 1953 EF4 91 km 2
Aug 7, 2021 EF3 83 km 0
May 25, 2008 EF3 40 km 0
Jun 11, 2004 EF3 95 km 0
May 21, 2004 EF3 89 km 0
May 11, 2000 EF3 74 km 1
Jul 27, 1995 EF3 27 km 0
Jul 19, 1994 EF3 70 km 0
Jun 19, 1993 EF3 96 km 0
Jun 19, 1993 EF3 48 km 0
Jul 13, 1992 EF3 85 km 0
May 30, 1985 EF3 11 km 2
Jun 5, 1980 EF3 99 km 0
Nov 9, 1975 EF3 97 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 15°F (-9°C) 1.0 in Coldest, Driest
February 22°F (-6°C) 1.1 in
March 34°F (1°C) 2.1 in
April 47°F (8°C) 3.4 in
May 59°F (15°C) 4.0 in
June 68°F (20°C) 4.3 in
July 71°F (21°C) 4.1 in Warmest
August 70°F (21°C) 4.5 in Wettest
September 61°F (16°C) 3.6 in
October 50°F (10°C) 2.5 in
November 35°F (1°C) 2.1 in
December 21°F (-6°C) 1.4 in

Wadena has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 15°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.9 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.5") and January the driest (1.0").

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