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Decorah, IA

Full City Profile · Iowa · Winneshiek County County

3.6 /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 26.9% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
120 Violent Crime/100K 983 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.6 / 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
1.0 / 5.0
120 violent crimes/100K
A+
Education
4.7 / 5.0
46.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Decorah experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 37.6 inches. The area receives 37.5 inches of snow annually. 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)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Geography

Elevation869 ft (265 m)
Area7.0 sq mi (18.2 km²)
Population Density1,049/sq mi
Coordinates43.3016°N, 91.7848°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyWinneshiek County County
Nearest AirportNortheast Iowa Regional (CCY)
45 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 37.6"
1% below US avg
Snowfall 37.5"
Wettest Month (Jun) 4.29"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.83"

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score36.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability12.2 / 100
Community Resilience91.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Tornado History

451 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 10 fatalities, 366 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 15, 1968 EF5 71 km 5
Jul 12, 1971 EF4 55 km 0
May 5, 1965 EF4 84 km 0
Sep 16, 1962 EF4 92 km 0
May 10, 1953 EF4 52 km 2
Aug 7, 2021 EF3 88 km 0
May 25, 2008 EF3 80 km 0
Jun 11, 2004 EF3 63 km 0
Jul 27, 1995 EF3 79 km 0
Jul 19, 1994 EF3 38 km 0
May 30, 1985 EF3 54 km 2
Jun 5, 1980 EF3 61 km 0
Jun 24, 1971 EF3 26 km 1
May 5, 1965 EF3 29 km 0
Sep 3, 1964 EF3 94 km 0
May 7, 1964 EF3 79 km 0
May 26, 1959 EF3 83 km 0
May 10, 1953 EF3 54 km 0
Apr 12, 2022 EF2 76 km 0
Jul 14, 2021 EF2 96 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: BEAVER CUTOFF (982 ac, 2007).

Year Name Acres Distance
2007 BEAVER CUTOFF 982 97 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 19°F (-7°C) 0.8 in Coldest, Driest
February 21°F (-6°C) 0.9 in
March 33°F (0°C) 2.0 in
April 46°F (8°C) 3.4 in
May 58°F (15°C) 3.9 in
June 68°F (20°C) 4.3 in Wettest
July 74°F (23°C) 4.0 in Warmest
August 69°F (21°C) 4.2 in
September 61°F (16°C) 3.8 in
October 49°F (10°C) 2.4 in
November 34°F (1°C) 1.8 in
December 20°F (-7°C) 1.3 in

Decorah has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 19°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.3") and January the driest (0.8").

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