Sumner is a city in Bremer County, Iowa, United States. The city is located along the county's eastern border, between Bremer and Fayette counties. The population was 2,030 at the time of the 2020 census. The Bremer County portion of Sumner is part of the Waterloo–Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town was established in 1870, and incorporated in 1894. The community is named after American political leader Charles Sumner. Sumner is home to Life Line Emergency Vehicles, a major manufacturer of ambulances.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code50674

Area code563

Living in Sumner

Housing in Sumner

$148K▲ 1.8% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Sumner home is worth about $148,000, up 1.8% in a year, 38% below the Iowa typical home.

Only 3 sales in May 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Sumner

—

Not graded

A grade needs all of the FBI's latest years (2023–2025). Sumner's police department reported only 2024 and 2025, so we don't grade it yet. The figures below are still real.

Violent crime per 1,000

Sumner 1

Iowa 2.4

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Sumner 0.5

Iowa 12

U.S. 15.5

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

Work & commute in Sumner

Full picture →

About one in 5 of Sumner’s working residents works in town. The top destinations are Waterloo (14%), Waverly (5%) and Cedar Rapids (4%). Half commute less than 23 miles.

Waterloo

14%

Waverly

Cedar Rapids

Cedar Falls

22%Work in townlive and work in Sumner 23 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 839Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Sumner →

Health in Sumner

B⁻

Health Grade B−

Healthier than 50% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 77% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with Iowa

2better than IA·6worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 24 are too close to call.

Conditions 6▼ 6 close Habits all close Care 2▲ 5 close Mind all close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

81.4%More adults treating high blood pressureIA 77.8% · better 86.5%More adults getting cholesterol checkedIA 84.1% · better 15%More older adults who have lost all their teethIA 11.6% · worse

Care nearby

Community Memorial Hospital Medical CenterSumner · 0.6 mi · ER · rural critical access

Peoples Community Health ClinicWaterloo · 26.9 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

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

Natural hazards in Sumner

Moderate

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 50% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🌪️ Tornadoes💨 Strong wind

17Does Sumner flood?paid flood claims since 2004 3Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Sumner

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

Climate in Sumner

Full climate →

Sumner has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 82°, a January night drops to 8°, and about 41 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

28° / 12°Winter

57° / 35°Spring

80° / 59°Summer

59° / 38°Fall

How much snow does Sumner get?About 41 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 9, with the last in spring around Apr 29.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+0.9° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

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

Schools in Sumner

All Sumner schools →

B⁻

School Grade B-

The public schools Sumner’s kids attend outperform 50% of Iowa’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.

DistrictSumner-Fredericksburg Comm School DistrictSchools2

Durant Elementary School C+Elementary · Grades PK–4 · 209 students Sumner-Fredericksburg High School A-High · Grades 9–12 · 243 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.