Washta, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Cherokee County County

3.3 /5.0
B Good
171 Population 169/sq mi density
$50,313 Median Income $33,054 per capita
$50,500 Home Value $149,266 Zillow
$575 Median Rent 13.0% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$50,313 median income, 18.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$50,500 home value, $575/mo rent
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
11.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Washta experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.2 inches. The area receives 35.3 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average46.8°F
13% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Geography

Elevation1,152 ft (351 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density169/sq mi
Coordinates42.5756°N, 95.7201°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyCherokee County County
Nearest AirportSioux Gateway/Brig General Bud Day Field (SUX)
36 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 33.2"
13% below US avg
Snowfall 35.3"
Wettest Month (Jun) 5.14"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.93"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score34.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability42.7 / 100
Community Resilience81.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

3 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.6. Most recent: M2.7 on Jun 30, 2021.

Feb 6, 1996 1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska M3.6 149 km
Aug 9, 1997 9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska M3.4 149 km
Jun 30, 2021 4 km E of Rembrandt, Iowa M2.7 57 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

583 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 11 fatalities, 178 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Oct 4, 2013 EF4 42 km 0
Apr 9, 2011 EF4 73 km 0
Jun 25, 2010 EF4 98 km 0
May 27, 1995 EF4 88 km 0
Jun 28, 1979 EF4 92 km 3
Jul 7, 1977 EF4 93 km 0
Jun 9, 1954 EF4 88 km 1
Jun 23, 1952 EF4 22 km 0
Jul 14, 2021 EF3 85 km 0
Apr 9, 2011 EF3 48 km 0
Apr 9, 2011 EF3 49 km 0
Apr 9, 2011 EF3 43 km 0
Jun 11, 2008 EF3 92 km 4
Jun 11, 2004 EF3 67 km 0
Aug 7, 1994 EF3 100 km 0
Jul 5, 1994 EF3 55 km 0
May 27, 1991 EF3 99 km 0
Apr 26, 1991 EF3 69 km 0
Sep 20, 1980 EF3 79 km 0
May 8, 1979 EF3 39 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: DEWEYS PASTURE (641 ac, 2008).

Year Name Acres Distance
2008 DEWEYS PASTURE 641 94 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 17°F (-8°C) 0.9 in Coldest, Driest
February 22°F (-6°C) 1.1 in
March 35°F (1°C) 2.0 in
April 47°F (8°C) 3.4 in
May 59°F (15°C) 4.5 in
June 69°F (21°C) 5.1 in Wettest
July 72°F (22°C) 3.8 in Warmest
August 70°F (21°C) 4.2 in
September 63°F (17°C) 3.1 in
October 50°F (10°C) 2.4 in
November 35°F (2°C) 1.5 in
December 22°F (-5°C) 1.2 in

Washta has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 17°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.1") and January the driest (0.9").

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