Preston has fewer than 1,000 residents. At that size one or two incidents swing the numbers so much that a grade wouldn't be fair, so we show the counts instead.

Violent0

Property9

Reported in 20259

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Preston

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Preston for work: only 10% work in town. The top destinations are Clinton (19%), Maquoketa (8%) and Dubuque (6%). Half commute less than 18 miles.

Clinton

19%

Maquoketa

Dubuque

DeWitt

10%Work in townlive and work in Preston 18 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 441Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Preston →

Health in Preston

Health Grade C

Healthier than 35% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with Iowa

6worse than IA

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 26 are too close to call.

Conditions 5▼ 7 close Habits 1▼ 3 close Care all close Mind all close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

16.7%More older adults who have lost all their teethIA 11.6% · worse 8.7%More adults with COPDIA 6.9% · worse 4%More adults who have had a strokeIA 3.3% · worse

Care nearby

Jackson County Regional Health CenterMaquoketa · 14.3 mi · ER · rural critical access

Community Health Care, Inc. - Clinton NorthClinton · 15.6 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Preston · CMS · HRSAHealth in Preston →

Natural hazards in Preston

High

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 74% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🌵 Drought🌪️ Tornadoes

0Does Preston flood?no paid flood claims on record 1Disasters that paid out herefederal disaster sent FEMA money to Preston

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Preston →

Climate in Preston

Full climate →

Preston has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 84°, a January night drops to 13°, and about 32 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

32° / 16°Winter

59° / 38°Spring

82° / 61°Summer

62° / 41°Fall

How much snow does Preston get?About 32 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 16, with the last in spring around Apr 25.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.0° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Preston →

Schools in Preston

All Preston schools →

C⁻

School Grade C-

The public schools Preston’s kids attend trail 77% of Iowa’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the bottom.

DistrictEaston Valley Comm School DistrictSchools1

Easton Valley Junior High / High School C+High · Grades 7–12 · 198 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results, graded within IA. Ratings are from neighbors.