BlockBefore

Le Mars, Iowa

10 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1955 and the latest in 1986. It stands in America Township. It lies in ZIP code area 51031. It stands on Willow Creek. The Survey maps it on the Le Mars quadrangle. 10,571 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 1,234 feet above sea level.

Le Mars within Plymouth County

On record in Le Mars

Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.

On the National Register 8 records

Population over time

2 figures

Le Mars grew from 9,826 to 10,571 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.

YearPeople Change
20109,826
202010,571+745 (+8%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

6 surveys from 10 printed sheets

Matched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.

Fires near this place

1 since 2006

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 1 fire within 5 miles of Le Mars in 2006, burning about 5 acres in total. None started naturally. None was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
11 February 2006Missing data/not specified/undetermined5.0 acresIowa Department of Natural Resourcesnot named

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Plymouth County

Mines and quarries near this place

10 of 19 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 19 workings within 5 miles of Le Mars: 15 past producers, 4 producers. 4 still produce. What was taken out: Sand and Gravel, Construction, Limestone, General. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
UnknownLimestone, GeneralPast Producer
Hogan Const CoSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
HossSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Howes PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
L and M Sand and Gravel Site No 1Sand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Leeds PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Maudlin Const CoSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Maudlin Const CoSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Midwest PavingSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Peterson Const CoSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer

Every working recorded in Plymouth County

Storms near this place

60 of 95 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Le Mars in 95 storm reports between 1994 and 2025: 43 hail, 37 thunderstorm wind, 7 flash flood, 4 flood. No death or injury is recorded in these reports. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
June 1994Thunderstorm WindLe Mars$500,000no account filed
June 2003Thunderstorm WindLe Mars$100,000Thunderstorm winds caused widespread tree damage, including several trees and numerous large limbs and branches blown down. Tree debris damaged the roofs of at least three homes. The siding of a manufacturing business building was ripped off by the wind. Power lines were downed by wind and falling tree debris, resulting in power outages.
September 2002Thunderstorm WindLe Mars$100,000According to a report from the county extension officer, small hail, accompanied by gusty winds, caused damage to corn and soybean crops.
June 2014Thunderstorm WindLe Mars$50,000Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including large trees blown down. One tree severely damaged a house when it was blown down onto a roof.
July 1994Thunderstorm WindLe Mars$50,000no account filed
July 1994Thunderstorm WindLe Mars$50,000no account filed
June 1994Thunderstorm WindLe Mars$50,000no account filed
June 1994Thunderstorm WindLe Mars$50,000no account filed
June 2001Thunderstorm WindLe Mars$30,000Thunderstorm winds tore part of the roof and walls from a metal machine shed. Debris damaged a nearby garage. There was also tree and power line damage, and a resulting power outage.
June 1997Thunderstorm WindLe Mars$10,000no account filed
June 2010Thunderstorm WindWest Le Mars$5,000Thunderstorm winds blew down power poles and caused tree damage.
July 2008LightningLe Mars$5,000Lightning struck and destroyed a large tree and an electrical panel on the side of a house, blowing several breakers and fuse boxes, melting a telephone wire, and damaging other parts of the house's electrical system. The strike also shattered a bedroom window, causing minor cuts from flying glass to two occupants.
June 1994HailLe Mars$5,000no account filed
June 1994HailLe Mars$5,000no account filed
April 2011HailLe Mars$2,000Large hail damaged siding and shutters on a house.
April 2025HailLe Mars-Nickel to quarter size hail fell for around 6 minutes, with a few stones slightly larger than quarters.
June 2025HailLe Mars-During the mainly pea to less than dime size hail, there were infrequent larger stones from quarter to half-dollar size.
June 2025HailLe Mars-Significant damage occurred to campers at the Willow Creek Campground from wind-driven hail. Hail lasted for around 10 minutes.
June 2025HailLe Mars-Hail up to quarter size was observed at the golf course.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindLe Mars-Thunderstorm wind gusts produced tree damage throughout Le Mars and caused damage to property at a local campground. Power outages were reported across portions of the city.
April 2024Tornado (EFU)West Le Mars-Members of the public witnessed a very brief touchdown in an open field. The storm produced no visible damage as to determine a rating. The touchdown location is an estimate based on public videos and radar.
July 2024Thunderstorm WindLe Mars-Thunderstorm wind gusts resulted in considerable tree damage across Le Mars with power out across the northwest side of the city.
June 2024FloodWest Le Mars-The Floyd River near Merrill rose above flood stage the evening of June 22nd, cresting around 8.27 feet above flood stage (20.27 feet) on June 23rd. This crest is in the Major Stage and broke the previous record. The river then fell below flood stage on the morning of June 24th. For a more comprehensive description of flood damage, please see other entries for Plymouth County.
August 2021Thunderstorm WindLe Mars-A personal weather station reported a sustained period of thunderstorm wind gusts, starting with a 59 mph gust at 0016CST, and up to 64 mph at 0032CST. Crop damage is an estimate from insured losses. Information provided by the United States Department of Agriculture.
March 2019FloodWest Le Mars-Snow melt and heavy rainfall (measured 1.52 inches near Le Mars and 1.63 inches at Remsen) resulted in significant flooding of agricultural lands. State Highway 60 was closed for several days between Merrill and Hinton due to water over the roadway. The Floyd River at Merrill (gage site MRLI4) reached the fourth highest stage on record cresting 5.60 feet above flood stage on March 15.
June 2018FloodWest Le Mars-A week of periodic heavy rainfall ending June 26 resulted in a widespread 4 to 8 inches of rainfall, much of which occurred on June 20 and 24. Weekly rainfall totaled 9.11 inches near Sioux Center, 7.36 inches at Sheldon, 7.31 inches at Sibley, 6.13 inches at Sanborn, 5.50 inches at Orange City, 4.69 inches at Le Mars and 4.54 inches at Remsen. Major flooding occurred with significant amounts of crop and pasture land inundated. Water encroached on the homes on the east side of Merrill, and covered county highway C44 as the Floyd River at Merrill (gage site MRLI4) crested 4.1 feet above flood stage on June 27. The river dropped below flood stage on June 28.
September 2018FloodWest Le Mars-Widespread rainfall upstream in the Floyd River basin from September 18-20 totaled generally 5 to 10 inches, with 2 to 5 inches across Plymouth County, resulting in major flooding. County road C44 was inundated with water, which also impacted a few properties on the east edge of Merrill. The Floyd River at Merrill (gage site MRLI4) crested at 5.0 feet above flood stage on September 21.
June 2017Thunderstorm WindLe Mars-Quite a few trees downed in town. Report received via social media.
August 2017Thunderstorm WindLe Mars-Tree damage was reported on the northwest side of the town.
June 2016Thunderstorm WindLe Mars-Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage.
July 2015Thunderstorm WindLe Mars-Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including up to 12 inch diameter branches blown down.
June 2014Thunderstorm WindLe Mars-Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including limbs up to 6 inches in diameter blown down. The winds were accompanied by small hail.
May 2013Flash FloodLe Mars-Heavy rain caused flash flooding of roads and low areas. A retirement center was surrounded by water.
May 2012Thunderstorm WindLe Mars-Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including several branches blown down.
April 2011HailLe Mars-Large hail caused an unknown amount of damage to vehicles.
July 2011Thunderstorm WindLe Mars-Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including numerous branches and a few trees blown down.
August 2007Thunderstorm WindLe Mars-Estimated 60 mph thunderstorm winds flattened corn crops. the amount of crop damage was not known.
August 2007Flash FloodLe Mars-Rainfall of more than 4 inches in the town of Le Mars caused flooding of several streets and yards in town.
June 2006Flash FloodLe Mars-Heavy rain caused flash flooding of streets and other low areas. High water on roads in Le Mars stranded several vehicles.
August 2006Thunderstorm WindLe Mars-Thunderstorm winds heavily damaged a hog confinement barn, setting loose almost 2,000 hogs which had to be rounded up by barn owners and law enforcement.
June 2005Flash FloodLe Mars-Heavy rain caused flooding of numerous streets and nearby fields.
May 2005Flash FloodLe Mars-Heavy rain flooded streets, parking lots, at least one small stream, and other low areas.
April 2004Thunderstorm WindLe Mars-Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including a two foot diameter limb blown down. The amount of damage was not known.
August 2003Thunderstorm WindLe Mars-Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including a 12 inch diameter tree blown over.
August 2002Flash FloodLe Mars-Heavy rainfall caused flooding of numerous streets.
July 2002Thunderstorm WindLe Mars-Thunderstorm winds destroyed an outdoor play set and caused tree damage.
July 1997Tornado (F0)Le Mars-A tornado in a rural area resulted in no reported damage.
July 1997Tornado (F0)Le Mars-A brief tornado reported by emergency management officials moved a car off of a road otherwise no damage was reported.
April 2025HailLe Mars-no account filed
October 2021HailLe Mars-no account filed
June 2015Thunderstorm WindWest Le Mars-no account filed
June 2014Thunderstorm WindLe Mars-no account filed
June 2014HailLe Mars-no account filed
July 2013HailLe Mars-no account filed
July 2013HailLe Mars-no account filed
June 2010HailLe Mars-no account filed
August 2009Thunderstorm WindLe Mars-no account filed
June 2008HailLe Mars-no account filed
August 2007HailLe Mars-no account filed
August 2007HailLe Mars-no account filed

Every storm recorded in Plymouth County

Nearest settlements

The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.

Map PlaceDistance Sheets
Parkview Terrace1.2 miles10
West Le Mars3.2 miles10
Seney4.4 miles10
Plymouth (historical)4.8 miles10
Brunsville5.6 miles9
Oyens6.0 miles10
Merrill6.8 miles10
Struble7.2 miles10

Elsewhere

Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.

Wikipedia article on Le MarsAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q570073The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0).

Provenance

This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 458255. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.

Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.