City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

Decorah, IA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Decorah - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

7,597
Residents
$62,177
Median income
$234,600
Median home
$919
Median rent (state)

Decorah - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Decorah places in the 39th percentile for household income and the 91st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

39th
percentile, household income
52nd
percentile, home value
6th
percentile, median rent
91st
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Decorah, IA

7,597 people live in Decorah, Iowa - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Decorah households earn a median of $62,177 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 4.5%. Typical homes in Decorah are valued around $234,600, and the median resident age is 36.5 years. Educational attainment runs 46.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 63.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 19 residential building permits were authorized in Decorah (Growing), up 6% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Decorah reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 343.1 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Decorah's yearly average temperature at 48.5°F with 37.6 inches of precipitation per year and 37.5 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Iowa run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Iowa at 87.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $919 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $212 across Iowa, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 36.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

7,597 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$62,177 /yr

Poverty 4.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does Decorah compare to other US cities?

Where Decorah sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 39% higher than other cities
Home value 52% pricier than other cities
Median rent 6% pricier than other cities
Safety 91% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Iowa, Decorah ranks #30 of 141 Iowa cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Decorah against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Iowa only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Iowa-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Decorah near the bottom of Iowa's cities

Among the 858 Iowa cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Decorah ranks #450 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Decorah only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#493 of 845
42nd percentile in Iowa
Median Gross Rent
#450 of 858
0th percentile in Iowa
Median Home Value
#85 of 849
90th percentile in Iowa
Poverty Rate
#513 of 858
39th percentile in Iowa
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#44 of 858
95th percentile in Iowa

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Iowa only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

39thIncome percentile
91stSafety percentile

39th percentile nationally for median household income · 91st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Decorah's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Decorah's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 67 Avg. percentile National median
Decorah's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Decorah's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$234,600 48th percentile more affordable than 48% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Decorah $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Decorah, IA Decorah, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Decorah, IA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Decorah, IA median $62,177/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Decorah, IA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Decorah, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 46.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.0%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
7,597
Median Income
$62,177
Median Home Value
$234,600
Median Age
36.5
Poverty Rate
4.5%
Labor force participation
63.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
46.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
343.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
118.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
224.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
48.5°F
Annual Precipitation
37.6"
Annual Snowfall
37.5"

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
7,300 residents7,400 residents7,500 residents7,600 residents7,700 residents 202020212022202320242025 7,582 residents 7,417 residents ▼ -2.2%
Decorah's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
19
housing units authorized
Single-Family
7
detached homes
Multifamily
12
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 18
2020 66
2021 71
2022 18
2023 15
2024 19

Permit volume increased 6% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
58.0%
Carpool
7.6%
Public Transit
0.4%
Walk
23.0%
Work from Home
9.7%
Other
1.3%

Based on 4,126 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Iowa - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$75
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$212
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Iowa state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Iowa state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Decorah sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$919/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
36.2 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Clear Lake
7,603 people
Knoxville
7,493 people
Creston
7,466 people
Webster City
7,769 people
Charles City
7,321 people
Washington
7,314 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Decorah's 7,597 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Madras, OR
7,596 people
Marshfield, MO
7,599 people
Hewlett, NY
7,599 people
Marion, NC
7,594 people
Hubbard, OH
7,600 people
Port Jefferson Station, NY
7,605 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Decorah's $62,177 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Carthage, NC
$62,177 median income
Norfolk, NE
$62,175 median income
Madison, SD
$62,180 median income
Elk Mound, WI
$62,167 median income
Mountain, AK
$62,188 median income
Easton, IL
$62,188 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Decorah, IA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Decorah, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 94.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.4% White 94.1% Black or African American 0.7% Asian 1.3% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.7% Two or more races 3.1% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Decorah compares to nearby Iowa cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Decorah (this city) 7,597 $62,177
Clear Lake 7,603 $70,278
Knoxville 7,493 $70,136
Creston 7,466 $50,752
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Decorah, IA?

What is the population of Decorah, IA? +

Decorah, IA has a population of 7,597 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Decorah, IA? +

Median annual household income in Decorah runs $62,177, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Decorah? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Decorah; the closest available measure is the Iowa state average, a cost of living index of 87.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Iowa vary by metro area.

Is Decorah, IA safe? +

Decorah has a total crime rate of 343.1 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Decorah, IA? +

Decorah's median home value sits at $234,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Decorah? +

Decorah has an average annual temperature of 48.5°F, 37.6 inches of precipitation, and 37.5 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.