Decorah, IA Demographics

A map of Decorah's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	6,769	6,856	89.8%	90.4%
Hispanic	284	273	3.8%	3.6%
Multiracial	273	188	3.6%	2.5%
Asian	98	139	1.3%	1.8%
Black	81	101	1.1%	1.3%
Native American/Other	30	30	0.4%	0.4%

Decorah, Iowa has an estimated population of 7,535, a less than 1% change from the 7,587 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 89.8% White, 3.8% Hispanic, 3.6% Multiracial, 1.3% Asian, 1.1% Black, and 0.4% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Decorah, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Decorah has become slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Iowa overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Decorah, that probability was 18.1% in 2020 and 19.0% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Decorah is ranked the 53rd most populous place in Iowa, out of 1,026 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Decorah was ranked the 53rd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Decorah's White Population

6,769 residents of Decorah, or 89.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Decorah is higher than in Iowa overall, where 82.3% of the population is White. Decorah ranks 721st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Decorah's White population has declined by an estimated 1.3%. White residents' share of Decorah's population has decreased from 90.4% to 89.8%.

Decorah is more White than neighboring Burr Oak (88.9% White), and Ridgeway (79% White). Decorah is less White than neighboring Calmar (91.4% White), Ossian (94.7% White), and Spillville (93% White).

Decorah's Black Population

81 residents of Decorah, or 1.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Decorah is slightly lower than in Iowa overall, where 3.8% of the population is Black. Decorah ranks 158th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Decorah's Black population has declined by an estimated 19.8%. Black residents' share of Decorah's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.1%.

Decorah is more Black than neighboring Calmar (0% Black), Ossian (0% Black), Burr Oak (0% Black), Spillville (0% Black), and Ridgeway (0% Black).

Decorah's Asian Population

98 residents of Decorah, or 1.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Decorah is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 2.5% of the population is Asian. Decorah ranks 68th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Decorah's Asian population has declined by an estimated 29.5%. Asian residents' share of Decorah's population has decreased from 1.8% to 1.3%.

Decorah is more Asian than neighboring Calmar (0% Asian), Ossian (0% Asian), Burr Oak (0% Asian), Spillville (0% Asian), and Ridgeway (0.6% Asian).

Decorah's Hispanic Population

284 residents of Decorah, or 3.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Decorah is slightly lower than in Iowa overall, where 7.3% of the population is Hispanic. Decorah ranks 337th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Decorah's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 4.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Decorah's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.8%.

Decorah is more Hispanic than neighboring Burr Oak (0% Hispanic), and Spillville (3.4% Hispanic). Decorah is less Hispanic than neighboring Calmar (7.3% Hispanic), Ossian (4.1% Hispanic), and Ridgeway (19% Hispanic).

Decorah's Native American/Other Population

30 residents of Decorah, or 0.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Decorah is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Decorah ranks 421st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Decorah's Native American/Other population has remained roughly the same. Native American/Other residents' share of Decorah's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Decorah is more Native American/Other than neighboring Calmar (0% Native American/Other), Ossian (0% Native American/Other), Burr Oak (0% Native American/Other), and Ridgeway (0% Native American/Other). Decorah is less Native American/Other than neighboring Spillville (2% Native American/Other).

Decorah's Multiracial Population

273 residents of Decorah, or 3.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Decorah is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 3.5% of the population is Multiracial. Decorah ranks 575th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 1,026 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Decorah's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 45.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Decorah's population has increased from 2.5% to 3.6%.

Decorah is more Multiracial than neighboring Calmar (1.3% Multiracial), Ossian (1.2% Multiracial), Spillville (1.7% Multiracial), and Ridgeway (1.3% Multiracial). Decorah is less Multiracial than neighboring Burr Oak (11.1% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.