Decorah, IA

Iowa

Decorah is a small city in Iowa with a population of 7,597. Residents earn $62,177 per year, which is 17% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
7,597 Population 1,049/sq mi density
$62,177 Median Income $34,046 per capita
$234,600 Home Value $298,078 Zillow
$788 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
12 Violent Crime/100K 1,201 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$62,177 median income, 2.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.6 / 5.0
$234,600 home value, $788/mo rent
F
Safety
1.4 / 5.0
12 violent crimes/100K (97% below avg)
A+
Education
4.7 / 5.0
46.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $62,177
17% lower than US avg
Home Value $234,600
17% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 12/100K
97% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 46.1%
37% higher than US avg
Median Rent $788
32% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.9%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.5%
64% lower than US avg

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

People

Population7,597
Median Age36.5 yrs
Density1,049/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 94%

Economy

A
Median Income$62,177
Per Capita$34,046
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty4.5%
County GDP$1,354M
Commute12 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$234,600
Rent$788
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$298,078

Crime

F
Violent12/100K
Property1,201/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault12/100K
Burglary62/100K

Health

Obesity35.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.9%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.6 in/yr
Elevation869 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+46.1%
High School+96.2%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 54% / D 45%
Commute12 min
EV Stations8
Libraries5

Is Decorah a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Decorah receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population, affordable housing. Decorah offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Decorah is $62,177, 17% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. Only 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Decorah is $234,600, 17% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $788 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.8x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Decorah is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 12 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,201 per 100,000, 39% below the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 46.1% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 96.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Decorah experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.6 inches, including 37.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Decorah has a population of 7,597 with a density of 1,049 people per square mile. The median age is 36.5 years, 6% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.1%).

Population

7,597
Total Population
1,049
People / sq mi
36.5yrs
Median Age
6% below US avg
7.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.1%
Female 52.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Decorah vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.5%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.5%
66% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Decorah vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Decorah is $62,177, which is 17% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes.

Income: Decorah vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$62,177
17% below US avg
Per Capita Income$34,046
Avg Weekly Wage$989
IRS Avg AGI$79,419

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.5%
64% below US avg
Establishments (County)767
County GDP$1,354M

Business (County)

Restaurants60
Healthcare59
Retail96
Manufacturing30

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,702
34% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.00%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time12.4 min
Work from Home9.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Decorah is $234,600, 17% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $788 (32% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $298,078.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$234,600
17% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$298,078

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$788
32% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$738
1 Bedroom$788
2 Bedrooms$989
3 Bedrooms$1,282
4 Bedrooms$1,420

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied64.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,702
34% above US avg
Effective Rate2.00%
In Decorah, 35.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.9% report depression. 20.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.9%
12% above US avg
Diabetes8.3%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure28.2%
Asthma10.0%
COPD5.2%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.4%
Physical Inactivity20.7%
Depression20.9%
Mental Distress16.6%
Physical Distress10.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.1%
Checkup Rate76.5%
Premature Death4,480/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access74.3%
Healthcare Facilities59
Decorah has a violent crime rate of 12 per 100,000 residents, 97% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,201 per 100,000 (39% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent12.4/100K
97% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault12.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,200.6/100K
39% below US avg
Burglary61.9/100K
Theft1,101.6/100K
Vehicle Theft37.1/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.4 / 5.0
Decorah has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.5°F
10% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.6 inches
1% below US avg
Snowfall37.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation869 ft (265 m)
Area7.2 sq mi (18.8 km²)
Population Density1,049/sq mi
Coordinates43.3016°N, 91.7848°W
County FIPS19191
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 46.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (37% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 9.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 53.9%
D 44.6%

Winner: Republican by 9.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+46.1%
37% above US avg
High School+96.2%
School Test Score5.73
A+ Education Grade (4.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density1,049/sq mi
Total Area7.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations8
Alt Fuel Stations11
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities59
Restaurants60
Retail Stores96

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
F Safety Grade (1.4/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute12.4 min
Work from Home9.7%

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