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m Removed nonstandard population table title, to make it agree with tables in articles for other Iowa towns
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==See also== * Decorah Municipal Airport
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{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} |
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{{Infobox settlement |
{{Infobox settlement |
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| official_name = Decorah, Iowa |
| official_name = Decorah, Iowa |
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| Line 30: | Line 31: | ||
| established_date = <!-- Area --> |
| established_date = <!-- Area --> |
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| unit_pref = Imperial |
| unit_pref = Imperial |
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| area_footnotes = <ref name=" |
| area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_19.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 16, 2022}}</ref> |
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| area_magnitude = |
| area_magnitude = |
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| area_total_km2 = 18. |
| area_total_km2 = 18.80 |
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| area_land_km2 = 18. |
| area_land_km2 = 18.68 |
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| area_water_km2 = 0.11 |
| area_water_km2 = 0.11 |
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| area_total_sq_mi = 7. |
| area_total_sq_mi = 7.26 |
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| area_land_sq_mi = 7. |
| area_land_sq_mi = 7.21 |
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| area_water_sq_mi = 0.04 |
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.04 |
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| population_est = |
| population_est = |
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| pop_est_as_of = |
| pop_est_as_of = |
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| population_footnotes = |
| population_footnotes = |
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| population_total = 7587 |
| population_total = 7587 |
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| population_density_km2 = |
| population_density_km2 = 406.08 |
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| population_density_sq_mi = |
| population_density_sq_mi = 1051.71 |
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| timezone = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]] |
| timezone = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]] |
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| utc_offset = -6 |
| utc_offset = -6 |
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| pop_est_footnotes = |
| pop_est_footnotes = |
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}} |
}} |
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[[File:FI0002825.jpg|alt=Main Street 1943|thumb|Main Street 1943]] |
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'''Decorah'''{{efn|{{IPAc-en|d|@|'|k|Or|@|}} or {{IPAc-en|d|i|'|k|Or|@|}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2017-09-14/iowa-place-names-a-e|title=Iowa Place Names: A-E|last=Sherman|first=Barney|date=September 14, 2017|website=Iowa Public Radio|access-date=June 16, 2021}}</ref>}} is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Winneshiek County, Iowa|Winneshiek County]], [[Iowa]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=2011-05-31 }}</ref> The population was 7,587 at the time of the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]].<ref name=cen2020>{{cite web |title=2020 Census State Redistricting Data |url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/data/01-Redistricting_File--PL_94-171/Iowa/ |website=census.gov |publisher=United states Census Bureau |access-date=12 August 2021}}</ref> Decorah is located at the intersection of [[Iowa State Highway 9|State Highway 9]] and [[U.S. Route 52 in Iowa|U.S. Route 52]], and is the largest community in Winneshiek County. |
'''Decorah'''{{efn|{{IPAc-en|d|@|'|k|Or|@|}} or {{IPAc-en|d|i|'|k|Or|@|}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2017-09-14/iowa-place-names-a-e|title=Iowa Place Names: A-E|last=Sherman|first=Barney|date=September 14, 2017|website=Iowa Public Radio|access-date=June 16, 2021}}</ref>}} is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Winneshiek County, Iowa|Winneshiek County]], [[Iowa]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=2011-05-31 }}</ref> The population was 7,587 at the time of the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]].<ref name=cen2020>{{cite web |title=2020 Census State Redistricting Data |url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/data/01-Redistricting_File--PL_94-171/Iowa/ |website=census.gov |publisher=United states Census Bureau |access-date=12 August 2021}}</ref> Decorah is located at the intersection of [[Iowa State Highway 9|State Highway 9]] and [[U.S. Route 52 in Iowa|U.S. Route 52]], and is the largest community in Winneshiek County. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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| ⚫ | Decorah was the site of a [[Ho-Chunk]] village beginning ''circa'' 1840. Several Ho-Chunks had settled along the [[Upper Iowa River]] that year when the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] forced them to remove from [[Wisconsin]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Whittaker|first1=William E.|title=An Analysis of Historic-Era Indian Locations in Iowa|journal=Midcontinental Journal of Archaeology|date=10 March 2016|volume=41|issue=2|pages=159–185|doi=10.1080/01461109.2016.1156799|s2cid=163755581}}</ref> In 1848, the United States removed the Ho-Chunks again to a new reservation in Minnesota, opening their Iowa villages to white settlers. |
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| ⚫ |
[[Image:Decorah Iowa panoramic view.JPG|thumb|350px| |
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| ⚫ |
Decorah was the site of a [[Ho-Chunk]] village beginning ''circa'' 1840. Several Ho-Chunks had settled along the [[Upper Iowa River]] that year when the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] forced them to remove from [[Wisconsin]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Whittaker|first1=William E.|title=An Analysis of Historic-Era Indian Locations in Iowa|journal=Midcontinental Journal of Archaeology|date=10 March 2016|volume=41|issue=2|pages=159–185|doi=10.1080/01461109.2016.1156799|s2cid=163755581}}</ref> In 1848, the United States removed the Ho-Chunks again to a new reservation in Minnesota, opening their Iowa villages to white settlers. |
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[[File:Waa-kaun-see-kaa.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Chief [[Waukon Decorah]] in 1825]] |
[[File:Waa-kaun-see-kaa.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Chief [[Waukon Decorah]] in 1825]] |
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| ⚫ | [[Image:Decorah Iowa panoramic view.JPG|thumb|350px|center|Panoramic view of Decorah, 1908]] |
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The first European-Americans to settle were the Day family from [[Tazewell County, Virginia]]. According to local [[Congregational church|Congregationalist]] minister Rev. Ephraim Adams, the Days arrived in June 1849 with the Ho-Chunks' "tents still standing—with the graves of the dead scattered about where now run our streets and stand our dwellings."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Sparks|first1=Charles H.|title=History of Winneshiek County, with Biographical Sketches of its Eminent Men|date=1877|publisher=Jas. Alex. Leonard|location=Decorah, Ia|page=[https://archive.org/details/historyofwinnesh01spar/page/87 87]|url=https://archive.org/details/historyofwinnesh01spar}}</ref> Judge Eliphalet Price suggested that the Days name their new settlement ''Decorah'' after Ho-Chunk leader [[Waukon Decorah]], who was a U.S. ally during the [[Black Hawk War]] of 1832.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Alexander|first1=W.E.|title=History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties Iowa|date=1882|publisher=Western Publishing Co|location=Sioux City, Ia.|pages=[https://archive.org/details/historyofwinnesh00alex/page/141 141]–142, 269|url=https://archive.org/details/historyofwinnesh00alex}}</ref> |
The first European-Americans to settle were the Day family from [[Tazewell County, Virginia]]. According to local [[Congregational church|Congregationalist]] minister Rev. Ephraim Adams, the Days arrived in June 1849 with the Ho-Chunks' "tents still standing—with the graves of the dead scattered about where now run our streets and stand our dwellings."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Sparks|first1=Charles H.|title=History of Winneshiek County, with Biographical Sketches of its Eminent Men|date=1877|publisher=Jas. Alex. Leonard|location=Decorah, Ia|page=[https://archive.org/details/historyofwinnesh01spar/page/87 87]|url=https://archive.org/details/historyofwinnesh01spar}}</ref> Judge Eliphalet Price suggested that the Days name their new settlement ''Decorah'' after Ho-Chunk leader [[Waukon Decorah]], who was a U.S. ally during the [[Black Hawk War]] of 1832.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Alexander|first1=W.E.|title=History of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties Iowa|date=1882|publisher=Western Publishing Co|location=Sioux City, Ia.|pages=[https://archive.org/details/historyofwinnesh00alex/page/141 141]–142, 269|url=https://archive.org/details/historyofwinnesh00alex}}</ref> |
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[[File:Dunnings spring Decorah Iowa.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|right|Dunning's spring, 2018]] |
[[File:Dunnings spring Decorah Iowa.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|right|Dunning's spring, 2018]] |
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During the 1850s and 1860s, Decorah grew quickly as settlers built dams and mills to harness water power at Dunning's Spring and other local streams.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Faldet|first1=David S.|title=Oneota Flow: the Upper Iowa River and its people|date=2009|publisher=University of Iowa Press|location=Iowa City|isbn=9781587298363|pages=104–105}}</ref> In 1851, the town became the county seat of Winneshiek County. Decorah also became the site of a [[ |
During the 1850s and 1860s, Decorah grew quickly as settlers built dams and mills to harness water power at Dunning's Spring and other local streams.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Faldet|first1=David S.|title=Oneota Flow: the Upper Iowa River and its people|date=2009|publisher=University of Iowa Press|location=Iowa City|isbn=9781587298363|pages=104–105}}</ref> In 1851, the town became the county seat of Winneshiek County. Decorah also became the site of a [[United States General Land Office]] from 1855 to 1856, making it a destination for immigrants seeking [[land patent]]s in northern Iowa. |
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Since 1861, it has been the home of [[Luther College (Iowa)|Luther College]], a liberal arts institution affiliated with the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]]. |
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The [[Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad|Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad]] opened a branch to [[Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway Combination Depot|Decorah]] in 1869.<ref>Alexander (1882), pp. 190-191, 249, 271-272.</ref> |
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[[File:Vesterheim2006.JPG|thumb|upright=1.1|Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum]] |
[[File:Vesterheim2006.JPG|thumb|upright=1.1|Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum]] |
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Decorah has become a center for [[Norwegian-American]] culture originating from a high number of Norwegian settlements beginning in the 1850s |
Decorah has become a center for [[Norwegian-American]] culture originating from a high number of Norwegian settlements beginning in the 1850s. Each July, Decorah is 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 a single immigrant group. Until 1972, one of the largest Norwegian language newspapers in the nation was published in Decorah, the ''[[Decorah Posten]]''. |
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==Geography== |
==Geography== |
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Decorah is located at {{Coord|43|18|06|N|91|47|25|W|}} (43.301795, -91.790218),<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> approximately {{convert|15|mi|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 {{convert|7.04|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|7.01|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.03|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2012-05-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-01-25 }}</ref> The [[Upper Iowa River]] flows through the city en route to the [[Upper Mississippi River]]. The river is faced by steep bluffs, characteristic of the [[Driftless Area]]. |
Decorah is located at {{Coord|43|18|06|N|91|47|25|W|}} (43.301795, -91.790218),<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> approximately {{convert|15|mi|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 {{convert|7.04|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|7.01|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.03|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2012-05-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-01-25 }}</ref> The [[Upper Iowa River]] flows through the city en route to the [[Upper Mississippi River]]. The river is faced by steep bluffs, characteristic of the [[Driftless Area]]. |
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{{wide image|Decorah, Iowa.jpg|400px|[[U.S. Route 52|US-52]] and [[Iowa Highway 9|IA-9]] junction on the southwestern part of town|100%|center |
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|alt=Decorah, Iowa US-52 and IA-9 junction on the southwestern part of town}} |
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===Impact |
===Impact crater=== |
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{{main|Decorah crater}} |
{{main|Decorah crater}} |
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About 470 million years ago, |
About 470 million years ago, a meteorite as big as a city block smashed into what is now Decorah, supporting a theory that a giant space rock broke up and bombarded Earth just as early life began flourishing in the oceans.<ref name="Crater found">{{cite news|first=Brian|last=Vastag|title=Crater found in Iowa points to asteroid break-up 470 million years ago |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/crater-found-in-iowa-points-to-asteroid-break-up-470-million-years-ago/2013/02/18/545131f8-76d5-11e2-aa12-e6cf1d31106b_story.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=2013-02-18}}</ref> |
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The impact dug a crater nearly four miles wide that now lies beneath the town, said Bevan French, one of the world's foremost crater hunters and an adjunct scientist at the National Museum of Natural History.<ref name="Crater found"/> |
The impact dug a crater nearly four miles wide that now lies beneath the town, said Bevan French, one of the world's foremost crater hunters and an adjunct scientist at the National Museum of Natural History.<ref name="Crater found"/> |
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The Decorah crater lay undiscovered until recently because almost none of it is above ground. Instead, it is filled by an unusual shale that formed after an ancient seaway sluiced into the crater, depositing sediment and an array of bizarre sea creatures that hardened into fossils.<ref name="Crater found"/> One such creature is ''[[Pentecopterus decorahensis]]'', which was named for the city.<ref name="BMC-20150901">{{cite journal |last1=Lamsdell |first1=James C. |last2=Briggs |first2=Derek E. G. |last3=Liu |first3=Huaibao |last4=Witzke |first4=Brian J. |last5=McKay |first5=Robert M. |title=The oldest described eurypterid: a giant Middle Ordovician (Darriwilian) megalograptid from the Winneshiek Lagerstätte of Iowa |date=1 September 2015 |journal=[[BMC Evolutionary Biology]] |volume=15 |pages=169 |doi=10.1186/s12862-015-0443-9 |pmid=26324341 |pmc=4556007}}</ref> |
The Decorah crater lay undiscovered until recently because almost none of it is above ground. Instead, it is filled by an unusual shale that formed after an ancient seaway sluiced into the crater, depositing sediment and an array of bizarre sea creatures that hardened into fossils.<ref name="Crater found"/> One such creature is ''[[Pentecopterus decorahensis]]'', which was named for the city.<ref name="BMC-20150901">{{cite journal |last1=Lamsdell |first1=James C. |last2=Briggs |first2=Derek E. G. |last3=Liu |first3=Huaibao |last4=Witzke |first4=Brian J. |last5=McKay |first5=Robert M. |title=The oldest described eurypterid: a giant Middle Ordovician (Darriwilian) megalograptid from the Winneshiek Lagerstätte of Iowa |date=1 September 2015 |journal=[[BMC Evolutionary Biology]] |volume=15 |pages=169 |doi=10.1186/s12862-015-0443-9 |pmid=26324341 |pmc=4556007 |doi-access=free }}</ref> |
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===Climate=== |
===Climate=== |
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| Line 95: | Line 102: | ||
| single line = Y |
| single line = Y |
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| Jan record high F = 60 |
| Jan record high F = 60 |
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| Feb record high F = |
| Feb record high F = 79 |
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| Mar record high F = |
| Mar record high F = 94 |
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| Apr record high F = 93 |
| Apr record high F = 93 |
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| May record high F = 102 |
| May record high F = 102 |
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| Jun record high F = |
| Jun record high F = 110 |
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| Jul record high F = 111 |
| Jul record high F = 111 |
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| Aug record high F = |
| Aug record high F = 105 |
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| Sep record high F = 100 |
| Sep record high F = 100 |
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| Oct record high F = 94 |
| Oct record high F = 94 |
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| Nov record high F = 79 |
| Nov record high F = 79 |
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| Dec record high F = |
| Dec record high F = 78 |
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| year record high F = 111 |
| year record high F = 111 |
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| ⚫ | |||
|Feb avg record high F = 49.6 |
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|Mar avg record high F = 67.2 |
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|Apr avg record high F = 80.3 |
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|May avg record high F = 87.2 |
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|Jun avg record high F = 91.5 |
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|Jul avg record high F = 92.2 |
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|Aug avg record high F = 90.8 |
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|Sep avg record high F = 88.3 |
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|Oct avg record high F = 81.6 |
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|Nov avg record high F = 64.8 |
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|Dec avg record high F = 49.2 |
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|year avg record high F = 94.0 |
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| Jan high F = 27.7 |
| Jan high F = 27.7 |
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| Feb high F = 32.8 |
| Feb high F = 32.8 |
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| Line 146: | Line 168: | ||
| Dec low F = 17.4 |
| Dec low F = 17.4 |
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| year low F = 38.0 |
| year low F = 38.0 |
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| ⚫ | |||
| |
|Jan avg record low F = -18.2 |
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| |
|Feb avg record low F = -12.3 |
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| |
|Mar avg record low F = 0.3 |
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| |
|Apr avg record low F = 19.7 |
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| |
|May avg record low F = 30.2 |
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|Jun avg record low F = 42.3 |
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|Jul avg record low F = 48.8 |
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| |
|Aug avg record low F = 46.8 |
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| |
|Sep avg record low F = 34.0 |
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|Oct avg record low F = 21.8 |
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| |
|Nov avg record low F = 8.3 |
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| |
|Dec avg record low F = -8.4 |
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|year avg record low F = -22.2 |
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| Jan record low F = −53 |
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| Feb record low F = −45 |
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| Mar record low F = −36 |
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| Apr record low F = -15 |
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| May record low F = 23 |
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| Jun record low F = 31 |
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| Jul record low F = 36 |
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| Aug record low F = 33 |
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| Sep record low F = -7 |
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| Oct record low F = -21 |
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| Nov record low F = −35 |
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| Dec record low F = −44 |
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| year record low F = −53 |
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| precipitation colour = green |
| precipitation colour = green |
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| Jan precipitation inch = 1.01 |
| Jan precipitation inch = 1.01 |
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| Line 223: | Line 260: | ||
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00132110&format=pdf |
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00132110&format=pdf |
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| title = Station: Decorah, IA |
| title = Station: Decorah, IA |
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| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals ( |
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020) |
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| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |
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| access-date = June 25, 2021}}</ref> |
| access-date = June 25, 2021}}</ref> |
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| Line 253: | Line 290: | ||
|2010|8127 |
|2010|8127 |
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|2020|7587 |
|2020|7587 |
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|source= |
|source={{center|U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=2015-06-04}}</ref><ref name=cen2020/>}}|footnote=Source: {{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|title=U.S. Census website|access-date=2020-03-29}} |
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|footnote=Source: {{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|title=U.S. Census website|access-date=2020-03-29}} |
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}} |
}} |
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[[File:DecorahIowaPopPlot.png|thumb|right|alt=The population of Decorah, Iowa from US census data|The population of Decorah, Iowa from US census data]] |
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===2020 census=== |
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As of the [[2020 United States census|census of 2020]],<ref name="2020-census-1919405">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census: Decorah city, Iowa |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US1919405&y=2020&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=4 July 2022}}</ref> the population was 7,587. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1,052.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 3,210 housing units at an average density of {{convert|445.1|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 91.7% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.8% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.4% [[Black (U.S. Census)|Black]] or [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.3% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.1% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.5% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|other races]], and 3.1% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 3.6% [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race. |
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The 2020 census population of the city included 1,463 people in student housing.<ref name="2020-P5-1919405">{{cite web|title=Group Quarters Population, 2020 Census: Decorah city, Iowa |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US1919405&y=2020&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P5 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=21 December 2022}}</ref> |
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According to the [[American Community Survey]] estimates for 2016-2020, the median income for a household in the city was $55,920, and the median income for a family was $85,822. Male full-time workers had a median income of $49,643 versus $43,991 for female workers. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $27,154. About 4.5% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="2020-EconChar-1919405">{{cite web|title=Selected Economic Characteristics, 2020 American Community Survey: Decorah city, Iowa |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US1919405&y=2020&d=ACS%205-Year%20Estimates%20Data%20Profiles&tid=ACSDP5Y2020.DP03 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=21 December 2022}}</ref> Of the population age 25 and over, 96.9% were high school graduates or higher and 43.8% had a bachelor's degree or higher.<ref name="2020-SocChar-1919405">{{cite web|title=Selected Social Characteristics, 2020 American Community Survey: Decorah city, Iowa |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US1919405&y=2020&d=ACS%205-Year%20Estimates%20Data%20Profiles&tid=ACSDP5Y2020.DP02 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=21 December 2022}}</ref> |
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===2010 census=== |
===2010 census=== |
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===2000 census=== |
===2000 census=== |
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As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 8,172 people, 2,819 households, and 1,561 families living in the city. The |
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 8,172 people, 2,819 households, and 1,561 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,275.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,968 housing units at an average density of {{convert|463.4|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 95.99% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.13% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.10% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.60% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.42% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.76% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.30% of the population. 34.0% were of [[norwegians|Norwegian]], 30.3% [[germans|German]], 5.4% [[English American|English]] and 5.2% [[Irish American|Irish]] ancestry according to [[Census 2000]]. |
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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. |
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. |
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The city's age demographics were 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. |
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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. |
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== Parks and recreation == |
== Parks and recreation == |
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Each July Decorah |
Each July, Decorah hosts [[Nordic Fest]], a celebration of Norwegian culture. Decorah is also the home of the [[Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum]], the largest Norwegian museum in the United States. |
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Natural features include Dunning's Spring,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://environment.luther.edu/outdoor_parks.html|title=Environmental Studies|work=luther.edu|access-date=27 January 2016}}</ref> [[Decorah Ice Cave State Preserve|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. |
Natural features include Dunning's Spring,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://environment.luther.edu/outdoor_parks.html|title=Environmental Studies|work=luther.edu|access-date=27 January 2016}}</ref> [[Decorah Ice Cave State Preserve|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. |
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Decorah is home to an operating trout hatchery<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iowadnr.gov/fish/programs/hatchery/decorah.html|title=Decorah Fish Hatchery|work=iowadnr.gov|access-date=27 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621210447/http://www.iowadnr.gov/fish/programs/hatchery/decorah.html|archive-date=21 June 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> as well as Twin Springs Park, the former home of the hatchery. |
Decorah is home to an operating trout hatchery<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iowadnr.gov/fish/programs/hatchery/decorah.html|title=Decorah Fish Hatchery|work=iowadnr.gov|access-date=27 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621210447/http://www.iowadnr.gov/fish/programs/hatchery/decorah.html|archive-date=21 June 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> as well as Twin Springs Park, the former home of the hatchery. |
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[[Raptor Resource Project |
The [[Raptor Resource Project]]<ref>[http://www.raptorresource.org Raptor Resource Center]</ref> is located in Decorah. Each year they host a [https://www.raptorresource.org/birdcams/ livestreamed webcam] of a family of nesting [[bald eagles]] as they rear their young. |
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== Education == |
== Education == |
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[[File:Decorah High School.jpg|thumb|[[Decorah High School]]]] |
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[[File:Luther College.jpg|thumb|[[Luther College (Iowa)|Luther College]]]] |
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Decorah is part of the [[Decorah Community School District]] in Winneshiek County.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.decorah.k12.ia.us/|title=Home - Decorah Community School District|work=decorah.k12.ia.us|access-date=27 January 2016}}</ref> The high school is [[Decorah High School]], and the mascot is the Vikings. |
Decorah is part of the [[Decorah Community School District]] in Winneshiek County.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.decorah.k12.ia.us/|title=Home - Decorah Community School District|work=decorah.k12.ia.us|access-date=27 January 2016}}</ref> The high school is [[Decorah High School]], and the mascot is the Vikings. |
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==Media== |
==Media== |
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'''Newspaper:''' |
'''Newspaper:''' |
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The community newspaper is printed twice a week in Decorah - ''The |
The community newspaper is printed twice a week in Decorah - ''The Driftless Journal'' and ''Decorah Public Opinion''. |
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Newspaper office location: |
Newspaper office location: 110 Washington Street, Decorah, IA 52101. |
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'''Web:''' The local independent news web site is Decorah News.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.decorahnews.com/|title=Decorah news NOW! Local news, weather, sports & information.|work=decorahnews.com|access-date=2018-08-01|language=en-US}}</ref> |
'''Web:''' The local independent news web site is Decorah News.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.decorahnews.com/|title=Decorah news NOW! Local news, weather, sports & information.|work=decorahnews.com|access-date=2018-08-01|language=en-US}}</ref> |
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* [[KWLC]] 1240 ([[Luther College (Iowa)|Luther College]]) |
* [[KWLC]] 1240 ([[Luther College (Iowa)|Luther College]]) |
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'''Other nearby stations |
'''Other nearby stations include:''' |
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''' |
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* [[KCZQ]] 102.3 ([[Cresco, IA]]) |
* [[KCZQ]] 102.3 ([[Cresco, IA]]) |
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* [[KOEL (AM)|KOEL]] 950 ([[Oelwein, IA]]) |
* [[KOEL (AM)|KOEL]] 950 ([[Oelwein, IA]]) |
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* [[Georgann Johnson]], actress |
* [[Georgann Johnson]], actress |
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* [[John Brayshaw Kaye]], poet and politician |
* [[John Brayshaw Kaye]], poet and politician |
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* [[Hanna Astrup Larsen]] (1873–1945), writer and editor |
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* [[Weston Noble]], music educator |
* [[Weston Noble]], music educator |
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* [[Mark Pinter]], actor |
* [[Mark Pinter]], actor |
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* [[Jerry Reichow]], nine-year NFL veteran, offensive end for 1957 champion [[Detroit Lions]] |
* [[Jerry Reichow]], nine-year NFL veteran, offensive end for 1957 champion [[Detroit Lions]] |
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* [[Rob Sand]], [[Iowa State Auditor]] |
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* [[Dean Schwarz]], American Potter and Painter |
* [[Dean Schwarz]], American Potter and Painter |
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* [[Oswald Veblen]], mathematician, geometer and topologist |
* [[Oswald Veblen]], mathematician, geometer and topologist |
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* [[Johannes B. Wist]], journalist |
* [[Johannes B. Wist]], journalist |
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* [[Harley Refsal]], woodcarver |
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==See also== |
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* [[Decorah Municipal Airport]] |
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==Notes== |
==Notes== |
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Decorah, Iowa
| |
|---|---|
Downtown Decorah
| |
Location of Decorah, Iowa
| |
| Coordinates: 43°18′6″N 91°47′25″W / 43.30167°N 91.79028°W / 43.30167; -91.79028 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Iowa |
| County | Winneshiek |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Lorraine Borowski [1] |
| Area | |
| • Total | 7.26 sq mi (18.80 km2) |
| • Land | 7.21 sq mi (18.68 km2) |
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.11 km2) |
| Elevation | 879 ft (268 m) |
| Population
(2020)
| |
| • Total | 7,587 |
| • Density | 1,051.71/sq mi (406.08/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
52101
|
| Area code | 563 |
| FIPS code | 19-19405 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0455839 |
| Website | www |
Decorah[a] is a city in and the county seatofWinneshiek County, Iowa, United States.[4] The population was 7,587 at the time of the 2020 census.[5] Decorah is located at the intersection of State Highway 9 and U.S. Route 52, and is the largest community in Winneshiek County.
Decorah was the site of a Ho-Chunk village beginning circa 1840. Several Ho-Chunks had settled along the Upper Iowa River that year when the U.S. Army forced them to remove from Wisconsin.[6] In 1848, the United States removed the Ho-Chunks again to a new reservation in Minnesota, opening their Iowa villages to white settlers.
The first European-Americans to settle were the Day family from Tazewell County, Virginia. According to local Congregationalist minister Rev. Ephraim Adams, the Days arrived in June 1849 with the Ho-Chunks' "tents still standing—with the graves of the dead scattered about where now run our streets and stand our dwellings."[7] Judge Eliphalet Price suggested that the Days name their new settlement Decorah after Ho-Chunk leader Waukon Decorah, who was a U.S. ally during the Black Hawk War of 1832.[8]
During the 1850s and 1860s, Decorah grew quickly as settlers built dams and mills to harness water power at Dunning's Spring and other local streams.[9] In 1851, the town became the county seat of Winneshiek County. Decorah also became the site of a United States General Land Office from 1855 to 1856, making it a destination for immigrants seeking land patents in northern Iowa.
Since 1861, it has been the home of Luther College, a liberal arts institution affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
The Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad opened a branch to Decorah in 1869.[10]
Decorah has become a center for Norwegian-American culture originating from a high number of Norwegian settlements beginning in the 1850s. Each July, Decorah is 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 a single immigrant group. Until 1972, one of the largest Norwegian language newspapers in the nation was published in Decorah, the Decorah Posten.
Decorah is located at 43°18′06″N 91°47′25″W / 43.30167°N 91.79028°W / 43.30167; -91.79028 (43.301795, -91.790218),[11] approximately 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 7.04 square miles (18.23 km2), of which 7.01 square miles (18.16 km2) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km2) is water.[12] The Upper Iowa River flows through the city en route to the Upper Mississippi River. The river is faced by steep bluffs, characteristic of the Driftless Area.
About 470 million years ago, a meteorite as big as a city block smashed into what is now Decorah, supporting a theory that a giant space rock broke up and bombarded Earth just as early life began flourishing in the oceans.[13]
The impact dug a crater nearly four miles wide that now lies beneath the town, said Bevan French, one of the world's foremost crater hunters and an adjunct scientist at the National Museum of Natural History.[13]
The Decorah crater lay undiscovered until recently because almost none of it is above ground. Instead, it is filled by an unusual shale that formed after an ancient seaway sluiced into the crater, depositing sediment and an array of bizarre sea creatures that hardened into fossils.[13] One such creature is Pentecopterus decorahensis, which was named for the city.[14]
| Climate data for Decorah, Iowa (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 60 (16) |
79 (26) |
94 (34) |
93 (34) |
102 (39) |
110 (43) |
111 (44) |
105 (41) |
100 (38) |
94 (34) |
79 (26) |
78 (26) |
111 (44) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 45.4 (7.4) |
49.6 (9.8) |
67.2 (19.6) |
80.3 (26.8) |
87.2 (30.7) |
91.5 (33.1) |
92.2 (33.4) |
90.8 (32.7) |
88.3 (31.3) |
81.6 (27.6) |
64.8 (18.2) |
49.2 (9.6) |
94.0 (34.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 27.7 (−2.4) |
32.8 (0.4) |
46.2 (7.9) |
61.3 (16.3) |
72.5 (22.5) |
81.4 (27.4) |
84.4 (29.1) |
82.7 (28.2) |
76.4 (24.7) |
63.2 (17.3) |
46.6 (8.1) |
32.9 (0.5) |
59.0 (15.0) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 19.0 (−7.2) |
23.4 (−4.8) |
36.0 (2.2) |
49.3 (9.6) |
60.5 (15.8) |
70.0 (21.1) |
73.5 (23.1) |
71.7 (22.1) |
64.4 (18.0) |
51.8 (11.0) |
37.5 (3.1) |
25.2 (−3.8) |
48.5 (9.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 10.4 (−12.0) |
14.0 (−10.0) |
25.9 (−3.4) |
37.3 (2.9) |
48.4 (9.1) |
58.6 (14.8) |
62.6 (17.0) |
60.7 (15.9) |
52.3 (11.3) |
40.4 (4.7) |
28.4 (−2.0) |
17.4 (−8.1) |
38.0 (3.3) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −18.2 (−27.9) |
−12.3 (−24.6) |
0.3 (−17.6) |
19.7 (−6.8) |
30.2 (−1.0) |
42.3 (5.7) |
48.8 (9.3) |
46.8 (8.2) |
34.0 (1.1) |
21.8 (−5.7) |
8.3 (−13.2) |
−8.4 (−22.4) |
−22.2 (−30.1) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −53 (−47) |
−45 (−43) |
−36 (−38) |
−15 (−26) |
23 (−5) |
31 (−1) |
36 (2) |
33 (1) |
−7 (−22) |
−21 (−29) |
−35 (−37) |
−44 (−42) |
−53 (−47) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.01 (26) |
1.10 (28) |
2.05 (52) |
3.95 (100) |
4.94 (125) |
6.13 (156) |
4.42 (112) |
4.39 (112) |
3.60 (91) |
2.66 (68) |
2.05 (52) |
1.31 (33) |
37.61 (955) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 10.3 (26) |
8.3 (21) |
5.7 (14) |
1.7 (4.3) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
2.4 (6.1) |
9.1 (23) |
37.5 (95) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 7.5 | 6.2 | 8.0 | 12.0 | 13.4 | 12.2 | 9.9 | 10.0 | 9.3 | 9.4 | 7.6 | 8.4 | 113.9 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 6.2 | 5.2 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.9 | 6.2 | 23.3 |
| Source: NOAA[15][16] | |||||||||||||
| 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% |
| 2010 | 8,127 | −0.6% |
| 2020 | 7,587 | −6.6% |
| Source: "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 29, 2020. Source: | ||
As of the census of 2020,[18] the population was 7,587. The population density was 1,052.0 inhabitants per square mile (406.2/km2). There were 3,210 housing units at an average density of 445.1 per square mile (171.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.7% White, 1.8% Asian, 1.4% BlackorAfrican American, 0.3% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.5% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 3.6% HispanicorLatino of any race.
The 2020 census population of the city included 1,463 people in student housing.[19]
According to the American Community Survey estimates for 2016-2020, the median income for a household in the city was $55,920, and the median income for a family was $85,822. Male full-time workers had a median income of $49,643 versus $43,991 for female workers. The per capita income for the city was $27,154. About 4.5% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.[20] Of the population age 25 and over, 96.9% were high school graduates or higher and 43.8% had a bachelor's degree or higher.[21]
As of the census[22] of 2010, there were 8,127 people, 2,855 households, and 1,527 families living in the city. The population density was 1,159.3 inhabitants per square mile (447.6/km2). There were 3,121 housing units at an average density of 445.2 per square mile (171.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.6% White, 1.5% African American, 2.2% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. HispanicorLatino of any race were 2.0% of the population.
There were 2,855 households, of which 21.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 46.5% were non-families. 38.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.76.
The median age in the city was 29.6 years. 14.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 32.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 15.3% were from 25 to 44; 19.5% were from 45 to 64; and 18.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.1% male and 53.9% female.
As of the census[23] of 2000, there were 8,172 people, 2,819 households, and 1,561 families living in the city. The population density was 1,275.9 inhabitants per square mile (492.6/km2). There were 2,968 housing units at an average density of 463.4 per square mile (178.9/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. HispanicorLatino 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.
The city's age demographics were 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.
Decorah serves as the county seatofWinneshiek County, which is a major employer. The county courthouse was built in 1903.[24] Decorah's largest employer is Luther College, in addition to several national corporations. Because Winneshiek County's economy is primarily based on farming, Decorah serves as an agricultural hub. Decorah is also home to Seed Savers Exchange, an heirloom plant farm and preservation organization.[25]
Each July, Decorah hosts Nordic Fest, a celebration of Norwegian culture. Decorah is also the home of the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, the largest Norwegian museum in the United States.
Natural features include Dunning's Spring,[26] 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[27] as well as Twin Springs Park, the former home of the hatchery.
The Raptor Resource Project[28] is located in Decorah. Each year they host a livestreamed webcam of a family of nesting bald eagles as they rear their young.
Decorah is part of the Decorah Community School District in Winneshiek County.[29] The high school is Decorah High School, and the mascot is the Vikings.
St. Benedict School of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque is in Decorah. It opened in 1885 in a two-story, four-room frame building. The school, with five nuns as teachers, was initially until high school but in 1919 became an elementary-middle school only. The convent, which had a second-floor bridge to the original school building, was renovated to be the second school building. In 1964 the current school was built for $268,000 in southern Decorah. A new addition was established in the 1980s, with a music room, a storage and teaching aid area, and two classrooms.[30]
Decorah is also home to Luther College, a private four-year residential college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and known especially for their Nordic Choir.[31] Their mascot is "The Norse."
Newspaper: The community newspaper is printed twice a week in Decorah - The Driftless Journal and Decorah Public Opinion. Newspaper office location: 110 Washington Street, Decorah, IA 52101.
Web: The local independent news web site is Decorah News.[32]
Other nearby stations include:
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Municipalities and communities of Winneshiek County, Iowa, United States
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| Cities |
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| Townships |
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| CDP |
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| Unincorporated community |
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| Ghost town |
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| International |
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| National |
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| Geographic |
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| Other |
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