Wapello, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Louisa County County

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
1,935 Population 1,488/sq mi density
$71,131 Median Income $33,542 per capita
$128,800 Home Value $148,120 Zillow
$707 Median Rent 22.3% income on rent
51°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$71,131 median income, 2.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$128,800 home value, $707/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Wapello experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.4 inches. The area receives 35.5 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average51.2°F
5% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Geography

Elevation579 ft (176 m)
Area1.3 sq mi (3.5 km²)
Population Density1,488/sq mi
Coordinates41.1772°N, 91.1890°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyLouisa County County
Nearest AirportSoutheast Iowa Regional (BRL)
27 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 38.4"
1% above US avg
Snowfall 35.5"
Wettest Month (Jun) 5.16"
Driest Month (Jan) 1.27"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score17.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability13.6 / 100
Community Resilience58.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Tornado History

619 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 12 fatalities, 289 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Mar 31, 2023 EF4 72 km 0
May 13, 1995 EF4 67 km 0
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 78 km 1
Mar 31, 2023 EF3 97 km 0
May 27, 2019 EF3 89 km 0
Jun 1, 2007 EF3 10 km 0
Apr 8, 1999 EF3 95 km 0
May 15, 1998 EF3 47 km 0
May 9, 1995 EF3 52 km 0
Mar 13, 1990 EF3 89 km 0
May 8, 1988 EF3 72 km 0
Aug 15, 1978 EF3 36 km 0
Jun 13, 1975 EF3 96 km 0
Jun 14, 1974 EF3 49 km 0
May 13, 1974 EF3 70 km 0
May 1, 1973 EF3 96 km 2
Apr 21, 1967 EF3 65 km 0
Apr 16, 1967 EF3 93 km 2
Jan 24, 1967 EF3 82 km 0
Jan 24, 1967 EF3 58 km 1
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

5 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: UNIT 3 (1,206 ac, 1999).

Year Name Acres Distance
1999 UNIT 3 1,206 11 km
2002 HSB 03 2 1,130 10 km
2000 DESTRUST A 756 10 km
2006 HSB 003 674 11 km
2004 HSB 009 608 10 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 23°F (-5°C) 1.3 in Coldest, Driest
February 28°F (-3°C) 2.0 in
March 39°F (4°C) 2.6 in
April 51°F (11°C) 3.6 in
May 62°F (17°C) 5.2 in
June 72°F (22°C) 5.2 in Wettest
July 76°F (24°C) 3.9 in Warmest
August 73°F (23°C) 4.0 in
September 66°F (19°C) 3.6 in
October 54°F (12°C) 3.0 in
November 41°F (5°C) 2.2 in
December 29°F (-2°C) 1.9 in

Wapello has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 23°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 38.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.2") and January the driest (1.3").

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