County · Iowa
Decatur County, Iowa
Decatur County, Iowa. Decatur County had 7,655 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.4% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 10 places (10 cities, villages and boroughs) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 19053.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
7,655
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 7,645 · ACS 2020-2024: 7,759
Median household income
$59,044
±$4,382 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$113,900
±$6,899 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$611
±$76 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Decatur County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 7,645 residents in Decatur County. The Census Bureau estimates 7,655 for July 1, 2025, down 1.4% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 7,759 over 532 square miles of land.
| Measure | Decatur County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 7,759 | 3,210,507 | −220 |
| Households | 3,055±119 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.35±0.09 | 2.36 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,659±32 | 1,437,699 | −194 |
Decatur County's population since 2000
From 8,689 in 2000 to 7,655 in 2025: down 11.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Decatur County?
Decatur County holds 10 places: 10 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Lamoni with 2,074 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Lamoni | 1,969 | $54,554 |
|---|---|---|
| Leon | 1,822 | $54,231 |
| Grand RiverGEOID 1932070 | 196 | $40,156 |
| DecaturGEOID 1919315 | – | $45,781 |
| Davis CityGEOID 1919090 | 179 | $36,833 |
| Van WertGEOID 1980490 | 178 | $74,375 |
| Garden Grove | 174 | $34,000 |
| WeldonGEOID 1983190 | 136 | $51,875 |
| PleasantonGEOID 1963570 | 32 | not published |
| Le RoyGEOID 1944580 | 11 | $56,875 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Decatur County?
The median resident of Decatur County is 36.1 years old; 22.2% are under 18 and 21.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.5%. 1.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Decatur County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.1±0.6 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.2%±0.5 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.1%±0.4 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.5% | 7.3% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.2%±0.7 pts | 82.3% | −2.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.3%±0.5 pts | 3.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 2.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.4%±1.0 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.9%±0.7 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.2%±1.6 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.0%±0.8 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 15.7%±1.9 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.6%±2.2 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 89.7%±2.0 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 23.5%±2.8 pts | 31.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.2%±2.1 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.5%±1.0 pts | 2.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Decatur County earn?
Half of Decatur County's 3,055 households earn less than $59,044 a year (±$4,382), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $54,719 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 14.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Decatur County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $59,044±$4,382 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $74,390±$4,242 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,020±$2,558 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 14.6%±2.8 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 20.1%±6.3 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.7%±1.7 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.8%±2.8 pts | 88.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Decatur County?
Owners occupy 69.7% of Decatur County's occupied homes and renters 30.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $113,900 by its owner (±$6,899). The median renter pays $611 a month including utilities, and 24.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Decatur County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $113,900±$6,899 | $208,000 | +$11,506 |
| Median gross rent | $611±$76 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 24.8%±8.0 pts | 35.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,279±$101 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.7%±4.4 pts | 71.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,659±32 | 1,437,699 | −194 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.2%±1.8 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.0%±3.7 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 76.7%±3.2 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 7.5%±1.8 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9%±0.6 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 27.5%±3.5 pts | 23.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Decatur County building?
Builders took permits for 1 new housing units across Decatur County in 2025 (1 single-family), 0.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Decatur County get to work?
75.0% of Decatur County's workers drive alone and 6.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 1.9%.
| Measure | Decatur County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.4%±2.2 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.9%±0.9 pts | 3.6% | −2.9 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 75.0%±3.0 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.2%±2.3 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 7.8%±2.4 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.0%±2.0 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.5 min±2.0 | 19.8 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Decatur County's census tracts?
Decatur County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $52,734 (Tract 9602) to $72,218 (Tract 9601).
| Tract 960119053960100 | 2,220±184 | $72,218 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960219053960200 | 3,540±230 | $52,734 |
| Tract 960319053960300 | 1,999±240 | $54,952 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Decatur County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 86th of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 58th of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 90th of 99 |
| Median household income | 95th of 99 |
| Median home value | 96th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 99th of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 14th of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 39th of 99 |
| Median age | 92nd of 99 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Decatur County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.