| Decorah, Iowa | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
| Downtown Decorah | |
| Location of Decorah, Iowa | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Iowa |
| County | Winneshiek |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.4 sq mi (16.7 km2) |
| • Land | 6.4 sq mi (16.6 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.1 km2) |
| Elevation | 879 ft (268 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 8,172 |
| • Density | 1,275.9/sq mi (492.6/km2) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 52101 |
| Area code(s) | 563 |
| FIPS code | 19-19405 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0455839 |
Decorah is a city in and the county seat of Winneshiek County, Iowa, United States.[1] The population was 8,172 at the 2000 census. Decorah is located at the intersection of State Highway 9 and U.S. Route 52, and is the largest community in Winneshiek County.
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Originally settled by the Day family in 1849, Decorah has become a center for Norwegian-American culture originating from a high number of Norwegian settlements beginning in the 1850s. Since 1861 it has been the home of Luther College, a liberal arts institution affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Each July Decorah is also the host of Nordic Fest, a celebration of Norwegian culture with ethnic dancing, food, and music. Decorah is also the home of the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, the largest museum in the country devoted to one single immigrant group. Until 1972, one of the largest Norwegian language newspapers in the nation was published in Decorah, the Decorah Posten.
The city was named for Waukon Decorah, a Winnebago leader who was a U.S. ally during the Black Hawk War of 1832 and whose people were subsequently forced out of Wisconsin into northeast Iowa. Waukon, immediately east, seat of Allamakee County, is also named for him. The Day family and other early, non-native settlers were able to enter and acquire land in Decorah only after the Winnebago Indians were removed in 1848.[2]
Decorah is located at (43.301795, -91.790218),[3], about 15 miles (24 km) south of the Minnesota-Iowa border. It is the northernmost major community located along U.S. Route 52 in Iowa.According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.4 square miles (17 km2), of which, 6.4 square miles (17 km2) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) of it (0.47%) is water. The Upper Iowa River flows through the city en route to the Upper Mississippi River. The river is faced by steep bluff characteristic of the Driftless Area.
| Decorah Historical Population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1860 | 1,920 | — |
| 1870 | 2,110 | +9.9% |
| 1880 | 2,951 | +39.9% |
| 1890 | 2,801 | −5.1% |
| 1900 | 3,246 | +15.9% |
| 1910 | 3,592 | +10.7% |
| 1920 | 4,039 | +12.4% |
| 1930 | 4,581 | +13.4% |
| 1940 | 5,303 | +15.8% |
| 1950 | 6,060 | +14.3% |
| 1960 | 6,435 | +6.2% |
| 1970 | 7,237 | +12.5% |
| 1980 | 8,068 | +11.5% |
| 1990 | 8,063 | −0.1% |
| 2000 | 8,172 | +1.4% |
| Source: "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. | ||
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 8,172 people, 2,819 households, and 1,561 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,275.9 people per square mile (492.2/km²). There were 2,968 housing units at an average density of 463.4 per square mile (178.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.99% White, 1.13% African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.60% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.42% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.30% of the population. 34.0% were of Norwegian, 30.3% German, 5.4% English and 5.2% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 2,819 households out of which 22.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.6% were non-families. 37.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.80.
In the city the population was spread out with 15.0% under the age of 18, 31.4% from 18 to 24, 17.8% from 25 to 44, 17.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 81.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,485, and the median income for a family was $49,668. Males had a median income of $33,362 versus $22,399 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,351. About 2.7% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.
Decorah serves as the county seat of Winneshiek County, which is a major employer. The county courthouse was built in 1903.[5] Decorah's largest employer is Luther College, in addition to several national corporations. Decorah also is home to Seed Savers Exchange, an heirloom plant farm and preservation organization,[6]
Each July Decorah is the home of Nordic Fest, a celebration of Norwegian culture. Decorah is also the home of the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum.
Natural features include Dunning's Spring,[7] Ice Cave, and Siewers Spring. The city is home to several parks built on bluffs, particularly Phelps Park, Palisades Park, and Pulpit Rock. Until 2003, Decorah had a community ski area, the Nor-Ski Runs Ski Area.
Decorah is home to an operating trout hatchery[8] as well as Twin Springs Park, the former home of the hatchery.
Decorah is part of the Decorah Community School District in Winneshiek County.[9] The high school is Decorah High School, and the mascot is the Vikings.
Decorah is also home to Luther College, a private four-year residential college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.[10]
Other nearby stations Include:
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