What to know when moving to Decorah, IA
TL;DR: Decorah at a Glance
- The Vibe:
- A highly educated area with 39% of residents holding a bachelor's degree and 25.7% of the population renting.
- The Major Draw:
- Median household income is $70,046, supporting a comfortable lifestyle.
- The Reality Check:
- With only 0.2% of residents using public transit, it's primarily a car-dependent area.
- Top Tip:
- Budget for $813/month in median rent.
The 'Vibe' Check: Who Thrives Here?
Decorah has a population of 12,539, reflecting a strong community with a median household income of $70,046. The renter percentage is relatively low at 25.7%, indicating that homeownership is more common here. The area enjoys a high level of education, with 39% of residents having at least a bachelor's degree. However, the tradeoff is a lack of public transit options, as only 0.2% of commuters rely on it.
Probably not your spot if you prefer robust public transit options, as you'll likely need a car to get around.
Your Money: Housing & Cost Snapshot
- Median gross rent is $813, while the median owner-occupied home value is $249,500.
- The poverty rate is 8.9%, reflecting a relatively stable economic environment.
- Only 0.2% of residents commute using public transit, indicating a reliance on cars.
- Homeownership is prevalent, with 74.3% of residents owning their homes compared to 25.7% renting.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Data Profiles.
Crime & Safety: What the Numbers Say
Iowa's crime rates indicate a generally safe environment, with property crime and violent crime rates lower than national averages.
- Violent crime: Iowa's annual rate is 236.6 per 100,000, which is 27.3% lower than the national rate of 325.3.
- Property crime: The state rate is 1,201.8 per 100,000, 22.3% below the national average of 1,546.9.
- Notable trend: The homicide rate has decreased by 21.2% since 2022, with an annual state rate of 1.6 per 100,000.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (state-level summarized data for Iowa).
Schools & Higher Ed
Decorah offers access to two notable educational institutions in the area.
- Luther College
- Northeast Iowa Community College (in nearby Calmar)
Source: ArcGIS Postsecondary School Locations, NCES, College Scorecard.
Weather & Getting Outside
Winneshiek County experiences an average annual precipitation of 38.9 inches, with about 86 rainy days per year. Summers can reach highs of 84°F, while winters can drop to lows of 8°F. The area sees minimal snowfall, averaging only 0.9 inches annually.
- Parks & outdoor spots worth checking out:
- Dunning's Spring Park (4.8 stars, 1,379 reviews)
- Phelps Park (4.8 stars, 444 reviews)
- Ice Cave Hill Park (4.4 stars, 189 reviews)
- Vesterheim The National Norwegian-American Museum & Folk Art School (4.8 stars, 181 reviews)
Sources: NOAA Climate Data Online, Google Places.
Jobs & the Local Economy
In Winneshiek County, the local economy shows promising signs with a low unemployment rate.
- Unemployment rate: 3.0% as of December 2025.
- Employed individuals: 12,072.
- Total labor force: 12,448.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.