Is Decorah Safe, Pros and cons of living in Decorah

Is it Safe to Live in Decorah?

Decorah, Iowa, presents a generally safe environment for its residents. The city’s overall crime rate is significantly lower than the national average, with violent crimes being particularly infrequent. In fact, Decorah boasts one of the lowest violent crime rates among U.S. cities, with a murder rate of zero reported (as reported by AreaVibes).

Property crime rates also remain well below the national average, contributing to the perception of Decorah as a secure place to live. This low incidence of crime across the board positions Decorah as a statistically safe community for individuals and families alike (as reported by AreaVibes).

Crime Statistics in Decorah

The crime rate in Decorah is notably low, standing at 83.8% below the national average according to recent reports. Violent crimes, which include offenses like murder, rape, robbery, and assault, are reported at a rate of 119 per 100,000 individuals, a figure that is 66.9% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

Property crimes, such as theft, vehicle theft, and burglary, are also infrequent. Decorah records 224 property crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 87.3% lower than the U.S. average (as reported by AreaVibes). The total crime rate in Decorah is 343 per 100,000 people, a stark contrast to the national average of 2,119 (as reported by AreaVibes).

Demographics of Decorah

Decorah is home to approximately 7,535 residents, with a median age of 39.5 years (as reported by Data USA). The population is predominantly White, making up about 89.8% of residents, followed by Hispanic and Two or More races (as reported by World Population Review). The city has a slightly higher proportion of females, with 53.2% of the population being female and 46.8% being male (as reported by Point2Homes).

Citizenship is high in Decorah, with 95.5% of residents being U.S. citizens (as reported by Data USA). The poverty rate in Decorah is 8.14%, which is lower than the national average (as reported by Data USA). The median household income was reported at $64,366 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA).

Cost of Living in Decorah

Decorah offers a cost of living that is generally considered more affordable than the national average. The overall cost of living index is approximately 9% higher than the Iowa average but 2% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). This affordability extends to various aspects of daily expenses.

Housing costs are a significant factor, with the median home value in Decorah being around $228,800 (as reported by Kurby AI). Monthly rent for a 2-bedroom apartment averages $913, with a median gross rent of $853 (as reported by Point2Homes). These figures suggest that housing in Decorah is more affordable compared to many other areas in the United States (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute).

Housing Market in Decorah

The housing market in Decorah is described as somewhat competitive, with a healthy median listing price of $307,375 (as reported by Realtor.com®). Homes in Decorah are selling for approximately 5% below the asking price on average and go pending in about 39 days (as reported by Redfin). The market has seen a year-over-year price growth of 4.21% (as reported by Realtor.com®).

Inventory can be constrained, with around 48 homes for sale at times, which can intensify buyer competition (as reported by Realtor.com®). The homeowner vacancy rate is reported at 1.7%, and the rental vacancy rate is 5.3% (as reported by Wikipedia).

Job Market and Major Employers

Decorah’s economy is driven by its labor force, with key industries including Education, Health, and Social Services, followed by Retail Trade and Manufacturing (as reported by Winneshiek County Development, Inc.). The major employers in the area reflect this economic diversity.

Top employers include Luther College, Winneshiek Medical Center, Stanley Engineering, Bruening Rock Products, and Walmart (as reported by Winneshiek County Development, Inc.). Northeast Iowa Community College and Collins Aerospace also contribute significantly to local employment opportunities (as reported by Winneshiek County Development, Inc.). The unemployment rate in Iowa has been around 2.8% in recent periods (as reported by decorahnews.com).

Climate in Decorah

Decorah experiences distinct seasons with warm, wet summers and cold, snowy winters. The average high temperature in July, the warmest month, is around 82°F, while the average low in January, the coldest month, is about 13°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The city’s climate is characterized by significant seasonal temperature variations.

Annual rainfall in Decorah averages around 35 inches, with June typically being the wettest month, receiving about 4.4 inches of rain (as reported by Livability.com). Snowfall is common during the winter months, with an average annual snowfall of 39 inches (as reported by Livability.com).

Education in Decorah

Decorah is served by the Decorah Community School District, which includes several highly-rated schools. Decorah High School has consistently been recognized among the top high schools in Iowa, ranking as the second-best high school in the state by U.S. News & World Report for multiple consecutive years (as reported by Decorah Community School District). The school also ranks highly nationally, placing in the top 6% of public high schools evaluated by U.S. News & World Report (as reported by Decorah Leader Newspaper).

Decorah Middle School also performs well, ranking among the top middle schools in Iowa (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Students in the district generally outperform the state average on standardized tests in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Luther College, a private liberal arts college, is also a significant institution within Decorah (as reported by Wikipedia).