County · Iowa
Winneshiek County, Iowa
Winneshiek County, Iowa. Winneshiek County had 19,733 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.7% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. It holds 9 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 19191.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
19,733
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 20,070 · ACS 2020-2024: 19,873
Median household income
$79,066
±$5,270 (90% margin)
Iowa: $75,059
Median home value
$259,200
±$13,750 (90% margin)
Iowa: $208,000
Median gross rent
$861
±$70 (90% margin)
Iowa: $972
How many people live in Winneshiek County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 20,070 residents in Winneshiek County. The Census Bureau estimates 19,733 for July 1, 2025, down 1.7% since 2020, while Iowa grew 1.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 19,873 over 690 square miles of land.
| Measure | Winneshiek County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 19,873 | 3,210,507 | −389 |
| Households | 8,139±218 | 1,315,707 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.23±0.06 | 2.36 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,029±86 | 1,437,699 | no clear change |
Winneshiek County's population since 2000
From 21,310 in 2000 to 19,733 in 2025: down 7.4%. 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 Winneshiek County?
Winneshiek County holds 9 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Decorah with 7,417 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Decorah | 7,587 | $64,366 |
|---|---|---|
| Calmar | 1,125 | $92,500 |
| Ossian | 802 | $71,875 |
| Spillville | 385 | $54,375 |
| Fort Atkinson | 312 | $73,750 |
| Ridgeway | 275 | $61,607 |
| Burr OakGEOID 1909640 | 171 | $56,250 |
| CastaliaGEOID 1911485 | 145 | $61,250 |
| Jackson JunctionGEOID 1939135 | 37 | not published |
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 Winneshiek County?
The median resident of Winneshiek County is 42.6 years old; 18.7% are under 18 and 23.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.1%. 2.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Winneshiek County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.6±0.5 | 38.6 | +1.1 |
| Under 18 years | 18.7%±0.3 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.3%±0.2 pts | 18.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.1% | 7.3% | +0.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.3%±0.4 pts | 82.3% | −1.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 2.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 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 | 2.2%±0.6 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.6%±0.6 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.6%±1.0 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.6%±0.9 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 10.8%±1.4 pts | 12.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 2.7%±0.9 pts | 5.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.2%±0.9 pts | 93.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 31.2%±2.4 pts | 31.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.3%±1.4 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.2%±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 Winneshiek County earn?
Half of Winneshiek County's 8,139 households earn less than $79,066 a year (±$5,270), against $75,059 in Iowa. In 2015-2019 it was $80,319 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Winneshiek County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $79,066±$5,270 | $75,059 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $100,242±$7,324 | $98,187 | – |
| Per capita income | $41,556±$2,705 | $40,877 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.4%±2.0 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.0%±4.3 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 3.1%±1.2 pts | 8.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.0%±2.2 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 Winneshiek County?
Owners occupy 74.2% of Winneshiek County's occupied homes and renters 25.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $259,200 by its owner (±$13,750). The median renter pays $861 a month including utilities, and 29.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Winneshiek County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $259,200±$13,750 | $208,000 | +$40,998 |
| Median gross rent | $861±$70 | $972 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 29.6%±6.5 pts | 35.2% | −13.1 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,550±$95 | $1,533 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.2%±2.5 pts | 71.7% | −5.1 pts |
| Housing units | 9,029±86 | 1,437,699 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.6 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.7%±4.2 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 81.7%±2.2 pts | 72.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.7%±0.7 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 37.7%±2.8 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 Winneshiek County building?
Builders took permits for 35 new housing units across Winneshiek County in 2025 (33 single-family), 1.8 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 Winneshiek County get to work?
70.3% of Winneshiek County's workers drive alone and 12.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.3%.
| Measure | Winneshiek County | Iowa | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.0%±1.8 pts | 66.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.3%±0.9 pts | 3.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 70.3%±3.2 pts | 76.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.5%±1.5 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 9.6%±2.1 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.1%±1.9 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.1 min±1.3 | 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 Winneshiek County's census tracts?
Winneshiek County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $64,088 (Tract 9502) to $93,897 (Tract 9504).
| Tract 950119191950100 | 3,350±362 | $81,131 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950219191950200 | 5,240±255 | $64,088 |
| Tract 950319191950300 | 3,591±282 | $70,486 |
| Tract 950419191950400 | 4,414±292 | $93,897 |
| Tract 950519191950500 | 3,278±309 | $87,663 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Winneshiek County compare with Iowa's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 34th of 99 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 62nd of 99 |
| Residents per square mile | 44th of 99 |
| Median household income | 14th of 99 |
| Median home value | 6th of 99 |
| Median gross rent | 35th of 99 |
| Poverty rate | 73rd of 99 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12th of 99 |
| Median age | 43rd 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 Winneshiek 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.