The Town FilesAlgona, Iowa
City in Kossuth County · population 5,487 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $160,800
- Household income
- $56,040
- Jan low / Jul high
- 6° / 83°
- Snow a year
- 36 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 19
- Median age
- 40.1
Algona is a city of 5,487 people in Kossuth County, Iowa. The median home is worth $160,800, close to the typical Iowa town ($156,300). It ranks better for retirees than 97% of Iowa towns, hipper than 97% of Iowa towns, more vibrant than 83% of Iowa towns.
How Algona ranks
Percentile among Iowa towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Iowa towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Algona is worth $160,800, close to the typical Iowa town ($156,300). Homes cost about 2.9 times the median household income of $56,040, which is more affordable than 16% of Iowa towns. Median rent is $885 a month. 68.9% of households own their home.
| Housing | Algona | Typical Iowa town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $160,800 | $156,300 |
| Median rent | $885 | $820 |
| Median household income | $56,040 | $69,254 |
| Home value ÷ income | 2.9× | 2.2× |
| Homeownership | 68.9% | 77.1% |
| Median year built | 1970 | 1962 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 2.8% | — |
Who lives in Algona
| People | Algona | Typical Iowa town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.1 | 40.2 |
| Age 65 and over | 25.7% | 20.0% |
| Under 18 | 20.3% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.5% | 21.8% |
| Below the poverty line | 6.9% | 9.3% |
| Veterans | 6.8% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 7.5% | — |
| Work from home | 3.9% | 7.1% |
| Average commute | 11.2 min | 21.6 min |
| Homes with broadband | 85.8% | 88.5% |
Weather in Algona
July highs average 83.1°F and January lows 6.0°F. About 34.1 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 36.3 inches of snow (typical Iowa town: 32.5 in). Expect about 10 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 160 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
19 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Algona since 1950, compared with 24 for the typical Iowa town. 5 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an F4, struck on August 29, 1964 about 5.5 miles from the town center. Tornadoes within 10 miles have caused 2 deaths and 41 injuries since 1950. The most recent was on September 4, 2018.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 55 times; the largest was 2.00 inches on July 13, 2012.
Severe weather in Kossuth County since 1996
Kossuth County has been included in 20 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, tornado, hurricane.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| June 24, 2024 | Severe Storm | DR-4796: Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, And Tornadoes |
| May 24, 2024 | Severe Storm | DR-4784: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding |
| March 23, 2020 | Biological | DR-4483: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3480: Covid-19 |
| March 23, 2019 | Flood | DR-4421: Severe Storms And Flooding |
Jobs and pay in Kossuth County
Kossuth County had 6,565 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $52,766 a year. Unemployment was 2.5% in 2023; in Algona itself the ACS puts it at 2%.
Public schools in Algona
5 public schools with 1,560 students, about 15.9 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algona High School | 9-12 | 471 | 15.2 |
| Algona Middle School | 5-8 | 413 | 15.3 |
| Bertha Godfrey Elementary School | PK-K | 271 | 22.6 |
| Bryant Elementary School | 1-2 | 205 | 15.8 |
| Lucia Wallace Elementary School | 3-4 | 200 | 13.3 |
Towns near Algona
- Emmetsburg, IA22.8 mi · 3,706 people · home $114,300
- Humboldt, IA24.4 mi · 4,792 people · home $173,600
Algona questions
Is Algona, Iowa a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Algona scores better for retirees than 97% of Iowa towns and quieter than 45%. 25.7% of residents are 65 or older (median age 40.1).
How much does a house cost in Algona?
The median owner-occupied home in Algona is valued at $160,800 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $56,040, so homes cost about 2.9 times income. Median rent is $885 a month.
What is the weather like in Algona?
July highs average 83.1°F and January lows 6.0°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 34.1 inches of precipitation a year and 36.3 inches of snow.
Does Algona get tornadoes?
19 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Algona since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was a F4 on August 29, 1964. The typical Iowa town has had 24.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)