Decatur, IA

Iowa

Decatur is a small town in Iowa with a population of 163. Residents earn $33,750 per year, which is 55% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
163 Population 429/sq mi density
$33,750 Median Income $19,577 per capita
$84,200 Home Value
N/A Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$33,750 median income, 0.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$84,200 home value
F
Education
1.3 / 5.0
3.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $33,750
55% lower than US avg
Home Value $84,200
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 3.4%
90% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.8%
78% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 31.3%
152% higher than US avg

How Decatur Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population163
Median Age38.8 yrs
Density429/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 87%
Veterans5.3%

Economy

C+
Median Income$33,750
Per Capita$19,577
Unemployment0.8%
Poverty31.3%
County GDP$278M
Commute38 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$84,200
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.4 in/yr
Elevation1,132 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+3.4%
High School+84.3%
School Score5.15

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 26%
Commute38 min
Broadband66.0%
Libraries3

Is Decatur a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Decatur receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, long commute times. Decatur has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Decatur is $33,750, 55% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.8%. The poverty rate of 31.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Decatur is $84,200, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 2.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

3.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Decatur experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Decatur has a population of 163 with a density of 429 people per square mile. The median age is 38.8 years, 0% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.1%), with 8% Hispanic.

Population

163
Total Population
429
People / sq mi
38.8yrs
Median Age
0% below US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.8%
Female 55.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Decatur vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

Other Languages100%

Social Characteristics

Decatur vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Decatur is $33,750, which is 55% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 31.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 38 minutes.

Income: Decatur vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$33,750
55% below US avg
Per Capita Income$19,577
Avg Weekly Wage$827
IRS Avg AGI$53,793

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.8%
78% below US avg
Poverty Rate31.3%
152% above US avg
Establishments (County)224
County GDP$278M

Business (County)

Restaurants12
Healthcare12
Retail27
Manufacturing5

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,429
27% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.26%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time38.3 min
Drive Alone94.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Decatur is $84,200, 70% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$84,200
70% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$634
1 Bedroom$700
2 Bedrooms$919
3 Bedrooms$1,102
4 Bedrooms$1,542

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied95.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,429
27% above US avg
Effective Rate5.26%

Health Metrics: Decatur vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Premature Death9,258/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access62.6%
Healthcare Facilities12

Crime Rates: Decatur vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Decatur has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average51.6°F
4% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.4 inches
2% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,132 ft (345 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density429/sq mi
Coordinates40.7427°N, 93.8328°W
County FIPS19053
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 3.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (90% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 47.1-point margin. 66.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 72.7%
D 25.7%

Winner: Republican by 47.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+3.4%
90% below US avg
High School+84.3%
School Test Score5.15
F Education Grade (1.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density429/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access66.0%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities12
Restaurants12
Retail Stores27

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute38.3 min
Drive Alone94.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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