Decorah city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Decorah city is a small city located in Iowa. The total population is 7,597. It ranks as the 53rd most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.

Age Demographics

The median age in Decorah city is 36.5 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 13.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 11.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Decorah city is $62,177. This is 15% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 21% lower. The poverty rate stands at 7.7%. This is 30% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 4% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $234,600. Housing costs are 20% higher than the state median of $195,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 64.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 71.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

Decorah city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.4%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 3.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 7.0%.

Education

46.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Decorah city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 49% higher than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.2%. Notably, 17.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Decorah city, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,018 Census-designated places in Iowa. For official data, visit data.census.gov.