Decorah, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Decorah, Iowa had a total population of 7,535, the 53rd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $64,366, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 42.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Iowa.
Decorah Quick Facts
How Decorah Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,597 | 7,535 | -0.8% |
| Median household income | $62,177 | $64,366 | +3.5% |
| Median home value | $234,600 | $244,500 | +4.2% |
How Decorah Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Decorah Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Winneshiek County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calmar | 974 | $92,500 | 12.5% | $203,200 |
| Ossian | 806 | $71,875 | 9.0% | $157,600 |
| Spillville | 356 | $54,375 | 14.3% | $157,500 |
| Fort Atkinson | 346 | $73,750 | 4.6% | $132,100 |
| Ridgeway | 315 | $61,607 | 4.8% | $152,100 |
| Burr Oak | 225 | $56,250 | 44.0% | $142,500 |
| Castalia | 142 | $61,250 | 7.9% | $97,500 |
| Jackson Junction | 26 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Decorah
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | 7,473 | $61,599 | $160,300 | 30.6% | 12.5% |
| Webster City | 7,769 | $63,430 | $127,200 | 23.2% | 8.6% |
| Hiawatha | 7,206 | $66,270 | $216,900 | 32.4% | 13.7% |
| Charles City | 7,232 | $59,180 | $115,400 | 12.8% | 13.3% |
| Perry | 7,985 | $68,910 | $121,400 | 17.0% | 8.9% |
Population Overview
Decorah is a small city located in Iowa, within Winneshiek County. The total population is 7,535. It ranks as the 53rd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Decorah is 39.5 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 12.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 11.8% 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 is $64,366. This is 14% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.1%. This is 27% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. This is 12% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $244,500. Housing costs are 18% higher than the state median of $208,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 61.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Decorah has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.8%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 3.8%.
Education
42.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Decorah in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 34% higher than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.2%. Notably, 16.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Decorah, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Decorah, Iowa?
Decorah, Iowa has a population of 7,535 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Decorah, IA?
The median household income in Decorah is $64,366, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Decorah, IA?
The poverty rate in Decorah is 8.1%. This means approximately 478 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Decorah, Iowa?
Decorah's population is 89.8% White, 1.1% Black, 3.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Decorah, IA?
The median home value in Decorah is $244,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Decorah, Iowa?
42.2% of adults (25+) in Decorah hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.