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CITY · 2020 ACS

Decorah

Iowa · 7,587 residents · 7.243 sq mi
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The short version

Decorah has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $55,920. Population has declined 7% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $192,700. 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, well above the US average, yet household income trails the national figure — a profile common to graduate-student tracts and academic hubs.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 36.8
US median: 38.8
More educated
44% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 32%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
7,587
−7%since 2000
from 8,172 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,047 / sq mi
−7%since 2000
from 1,128 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
36.8
+23%since 2000
from 29.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
7K8K8K8K8K1990201020202024Decorah
20248K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$55,920
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,485 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,154
+66%since 2000
from $16,351 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
35.4%
+12.4 ptssince 2009
from 23.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
10.0%
+2.0 ptssince 2000
from 8.0% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade12.4%
US avg: 10%
Information8.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade4.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services4.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration4.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance2.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.4%
US avg: 1.7%
Professional, scientific, technical2%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Construction1.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.7%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$192,700
+32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $97,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$652
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $410 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
65.4%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 63.5% in 2000
34.6% rent
Afford Score
3.4
+33%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Decorah on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.3%(7,784)
Black1.1%(92)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(106)
Asian1.6%(130)
Other0%
Diversity Score9.8%(804)
2020
White, non-Hispanic90.4%(6,856)
Black1.3%(101)
Hispanic / Latino3.6%(273)
Asian1.8%(139)
Other0.4%(31)
Diversity Score17.5%(1,325)
Diversity Score
17
+78%since 2000
from 10 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
43.8%
+13.1 ptssince 2000
from 30.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
96.9%
+12.2 ptssince 2000
from 84.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
20.1%
+8.5 ptssince 2000
from 11.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.3 min
+23%since 2000
from 10.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
53.0%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.6%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.3%
−1.7 ptssince 2011
from 5.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
66.2%
+2.0 ptssince 2011
from 64.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
38.5%
−29.5 ptssince 2009
from 67.9% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.4%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 44.9% in 2009
Female
52.6%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 55.1% in 2009
Foreign born
3.8%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
2.4%
−93.2 ptssince 2013
from 95.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Decorah to nearby cities

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Income$55,866same
Home value$210,100+9%
Population50,784+585%
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DECORAH VS
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Home value$288,900+50%
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DECORAH VS
Winona
Income$56,337+1%
Home value$201,800+5%
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DECORAH VS
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Income$80,284+44%
Home value$223,300+16%
Population10,561+42%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Decorah, Iowa?

Decorah, Iowa has about 7,587 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Decorah, Iowa?

The typical household in Decorah, Iowa earns about $55,920 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Decorah, Iowa expensive?

In Decorah, Iowa, the median home is worth about $192,700, and the typical rent is about $652 a month.

How educated are people in Decorah, Iowa?

About 43.8% of adults age 25 and over in Decorah, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Decorah, Iowa?

About 10.0% of people in Decorah, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Decorah, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Decorah, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 476 residents, a change of about -6 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →