The Town Files

25 Small Towns in Iowa With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950

Ranked by tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950 among 99 towns of 500–10,000 people in Iowa. #1 is Decorah, IA (9 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950).

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Numbers match the ranking.

  1. 25Osage, Iowa

    20 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Osage is a city of 3,627 people in Mitchell County, Iowa. 20 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an F4 on May 5, 1965.

    3,627 people · Mitchell County · median home $160,700 · income $68,730 · Jan low 6°F · 40 in snow

    Full Osage, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Osage by decade1'504'603'701'802'902'002'105'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  2. 24Asbury, Iowa

    20 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Asbury is a city of 5,943 people in Dubuque County, Iowa. 20 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965.

    5,943 people · Dubuque County · median home $339,000 · income $124,957 · Jan low 10°F · 36 in snow

    Full Asbury, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Asbury by decade1'507'604'703'802'90'001'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  3. 23Charles City, Iowa

    20 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Charles City is a city of 7,396 people in Floyd County, Iowa. 20 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an F5 on May 15, 1968.

    7,396 people · Floyd County · median home $115,400 · income $59,180 · Jan low 9°F · 38 in snow

    Full Charles City, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Charles City by decade2'503'60'703'803'901'004'104'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  4. 22Sioux Center, Iowa

    20 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Sioux Center is a city of 8,229 people in Sioux County, Iowa. 20 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an F3 on September 22, 1968.

    8,229 people · Sioux County · median home $290,800 · income $92,983 · Jan low 9°F · 35 in snow

    Full Sioux Center, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Sioux Center by decade1'503'601'70'803'905'003'104'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  5. 21Grinnell, Iowa

    20 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Grinnell is a city of 9,564 people in Poweshiek County, Iowa. 20 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an F3 on September 16, 1978.

    9,564 people · Poweshiek County · median home $209,500 · income $65,320 · Jan low 10°F · 31 in snow

    Full Grinnell, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Grinnell by decade3'507'603'70'80'903'001'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  6. 20Bloomfield, Iowa

    19 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Bloomfield, Iowa
    Photo: Eab969 at English Wikipedia (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

    Bloomfield is a city of 2,682 people in Davis County, Iowa. 19 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an F3 on April 8, 1999.

    2,682 people · Davis County · median home $132,000 · income $60,769 · Jan low 15°F · 24 in snow

    Full Bloomfield, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Bloomfield by decade'503'603'703'804'904'001'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  7. 19Algona, Iowa

    19 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Algona is a city of 5,487 people in Kossuth County, Iowa. 19 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an F4 on August 29, 1964.

    5,487 people · Kossuth County · median home $160,800 · income $56,040 · Jan low 6°F · 36 in snow

    Full Algona, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Algona by decade'501'606'704'801'903'004'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  8. 18Grundy Center, Iowa

    18 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Grundy Center is a city of 2,796 people in Grundy County, Iowa. 18 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an F2 on March 22, 1991.

    2,796 people · Grundy County · median home $177,900 · income $80,357 · Jan low 9°F · 32 in snow

    Full Grundy Center, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Grundy Center by decade'501'606'701'802'903'003'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  9. 17Tama, Iowa

    18 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Tama is a city of 3,130 people in Tama County, Iowa. 18 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an F3 on April 19, 1966.

    3,130 people · Tama County · median home $106,800 · income $68,661 · Jan low 9°F · 33 in snow

    Full Tama, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Tama by decade2'504'602'70'803'903'002'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  10. 16Hampton, Iowa

    18 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Hampton is a city of 4,337 people in Franklin County, Iowa. 18 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an F5 on May 15, 1968.

    4,337 people · Franklin County · median home $99,400 · income $47,088 · Jan low 8°F · 29 in snow

    Full Hampton, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Hampton by decade1'504'601'701'803'90'004'104'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  11. 15Estherville, Iowa

    18 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Estherville is a city of 5,904 people in Emmet County, Iowa. 18 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an F2 on June 14, 1976.

    5,904 people · Emmet County · median home $101,400 · income $54,124 · Jan low 5°F · 40 in snow

    Full Estherville, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Estherville by decade1'504'603'702'80'902'003'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  12. 14Mount Pleasant, Iowa

    17 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Mount Pleasant is a city of 9,274 people in Henry County, Iowa. 17 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an F3 on May 9, 1959.

    9,274 people · Henry County · median home $160,900 · income $61,042 · Jan low 13°F · 25 in snow

    Full Mount Pleasant, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Mount Pleasant by decade3'502'603'702'801'902'002'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  13. 13Humboldt, Iowa

    16 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Humboldt is a city of 4,792 people in Humboldt County, Iowa. 16 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an F3 on June 7, 1953.

    4,792 people · Humboldt County · median home $173,600 · income $74,500 · Jan low 9°F · 39 in snow

    Full Humboldt, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Humboldt by decade2'501'601'702'80'902'003'105'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  14. 12Centerville, Iowa

    16 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Centerville is a city of 5,412 people in Appanoose County, Iowa. 16 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an F4 on May 20, 1959.

    5,412 people · Appanoose County · median home $103,000 · income $46,563 · Jan low 12°F · 22 in snow

    Full Centerville, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Centerville by decade1'501'601'703'804'901'005'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  15. 11Osceola, Iowa

    16 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Osceola is a city of 5,415 people in Clarke County, Iowa. 16 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an EF2 on April 26, 2024.

    5,415 people · Clarke County · median home $146,300 · income $68,284 · Jan low 11°F · 28 in snow

    Full Osceola, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Osceola by decade'503'603'702'80'903'002'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  16. 10Washington, Iowa

    15 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Washington is a city of 7,352 people in Washington County, Iowa. 15 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an F3 on May 15, 1998.

    7,352 people · Washington County · median home $152,300 · income $55,373 · Jan low 12°F · 25 in snow

    Full Washington, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Washington by decade'501'602'702'801'903'003'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  17. 9Garner, Iowa

    14 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Garner is a city of 3,065 people in Hancock County, Iowa. 14 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an F4 on May 10, 1953.

    3,065 people · Hancock County · median home $186,300 · income $70,726 · Jan low 6°F · 40 in snow

    Full Garner, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Garner by decade3'501'602'703'801'902'001'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  18. 8Emmetsburg, Iowa

    14 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Emmetsburg is a city of 3,706 people in Palo Alto County, Iowa. 14 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an F2 on June 7, 1984.

    3,706 people · Palo Alto County · median home $114,300 · income $55,833 · Jan low 7°F · 37 in snow

    Full Emmetsburg, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Emmetsburg by decade1'502'605'701'802'902'00'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  19. 7Albia, Iowa

    14 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Albia is a city of 3,721 people in Monroe County, Iowa. 14 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an F4 on June 7, 1984.

    3,721 people · Monroe County · median home $130,300 · income $70,455 · Jan low 13°F · 30 in snow

    Full Albia, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Albia by decade'501'60'703'803'903'004'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  20. 6Fairfield, Iowa

    13 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Fairfield is a city of 9,416 people in Jefferson County, Iowa. 13 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an F3 on April 21, 1967.

    9,416 people · Jefferson County · median home $156,000 · income $51,311 · Jan low 14°F · 22 in snow

    Full Fairfield, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Fairfield by decade'503'601'704'801'903'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  21. 5Onawa, Iowa

    11 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Onawa is a city of 2,906 people in Monona County, Iowa. 11 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an F2 on May 28, 1991.

    2,906 people · Monona County · median home $145,800 · income $62,143 · Jan low 9°F · 31 in snow

    Full Onawa, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Onawa by decade'502'602'70'803'901'002'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  22. 4Chariton, Iowa

    11 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Chariton is a city of 4,193 people in Lucas County, Iowa. 11 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an F4 on May 10, 1953.

    4,193 people · Lucas County · median home $81,900 · income $46,979 · Jan low 11°F · 24 in snow

    Full Chariton, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Chariton by decade1'502'60'702'80'902'00'104'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  23. 3Postville, Iowa

    10 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Postville is a city of 2,503 people in Allamakee County, Iowa. 10 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an F2 on July 29, 1987.

    2,503 people · Allamakee County · median home $104,700 · income $49,485 · Jan low 7°F · 40 in snow

    Full Postville, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Postville by decade'503'601'702'801'90'002'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  24. 2Waukon, Iowa

    9 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Waukon is a city of 3,827 people in Allamakee County, Iowa. 9 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an EF2 on June 17, 2026.

    3,827 people · Allamakee County · median home $147,200 · income $60,269 · Jan low 8°F · 36 in snow

    Full Waukon, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Waukon by decade'501'601'702'80'902'00'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  25. 1Decorah, Iowa

    9 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Decorah is a city of 7,587 people in Winneshiek County, Iowa. 9 tornadoes since 1950 (typical Iowa town: 24); the strongest was an F2 on July 29, 1987.

    7,587 people · Winneshiek County · median home $244,500 · income $64,366 · Jan low 10°F · 38 in snow

    Full Decorah, Iowa profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Decorah by decade'501'601'703'80'901'001'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

More Iowa rankings

Same ranking, other places

Methodology. We ranked 99 towns of 500–10,000 people in Iowa (2020 Census population). Only towns better than 60% of their peers on this measure qualify, so lists can be shorter than 25. Sources: