Living in Decorah, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Decorah · Census data 2020–2024
Decorah has 7,535 residents with a median age of 39.5. The median household income is $64,366 (14% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $244,500, the median rent is $853/month.
Decorah at a glance
- Population
- 7,535
- Median age
- 39.5State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $64,366State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $244,500State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $853/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 61.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 42.2%
- Average commute
- 13 min
Is Decorah a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 13 minutes; a poverty rate of 8.1%.
Cons: Median household income 14% lower than the Iowa median; home values 18% higher than the state median; unemployment of 4%.
The weather is best in May and July to September.
Cost of living in Decorah
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Decorah the median home value is $244,500, 27% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $853 per month, which is 26.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,479 a month in housing costs.
Decorah median household income
The median household income in Decorah is $64,366 and the income per person is $35,743. 8.1% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Decorah: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 3,433
- Owner-occupied
- 61.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 38.5%
- Vacant
- 11.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1964
- Average household size
- 1.93
Decorah demographics
- Population
- 7,535
- Median age
- 39.5
- Under 18
- 12.4%
- 65 and older
- 24%
- Households
- 3,038
- Foreign-born
- 5.5%
- Veterans
- 7.2%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Decorah ›
Education in Decorah
42.2% of adults 25 and older in Decorah have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 16.6% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Decorah
- Unemployment rate
- 4%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 13 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 10.8%
- Drive alone
- 59.4%
- Public transit
- 0.3%
- Walk to work
- 21.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 89.5%
Decorah vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decorah | 7,535 | $64,366 | $244,500 | $853 |
| Calmar | 974 | $92,500 | $203,200 | $694 |
| Ridgeway | 315 | $61,607 | $152,100 | $650 |
| Ossian | 806 | $71,875 | $157,600 | $772 |
| Spillville | 356 | $54,375 | $157,500 | $870 |
| Burr Oak | 225 | $56,250 | $142,500 | $1,208 |
| Fort Atkinson | 346 | $73,750 | $132,100 | — |
| Castalia | 142 | $61,250 | $97,500 | — |
| Mabel | 730 | $59,392 | $131,400 | $729 |
More for people moving to Decorah
Decorah ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Decorah: FAQ
What is the median household income in Decorah, IA?
The median household income in Decorah is $64,366, 14% lower than the Iowa median of $75,059 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Decorah?
The median home value in Decorah is $244,500, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Decorah?
The median gross rent in Decorah is $853 per month, about 26.5% of household income.
Is Decorah, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 13 minutes; a poverty rate of 8.1%. Minuses: median household income 14% lower than the Iowa median; home values 18% higher than the state median; unemployment of 4%.
What is the median age in Decorah?
The median age in Decorah is 39.5 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Decorah?
The average commute to work in Decorah is 13 minutes; 10.8% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Decorah?
The unemployment rate in Decorah is 4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Decorah?
42.2% of adults in Decorah have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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