Decorah ZIP Codes — Winneshiek County, IA

There is one unique ZIP code in Decorah, Iowa and it is 52101. Area code: 563.

ZIP codes

316.70

sq mi land

0.13

sq mi water

563

area code

Decorah, IA ZIP code map

About Decorah, IA

Decorah, Iowa, is a charming city nestled in the heart of Winneshiek County. Known for its picturesque landscapes, Decorah is a hub of cultural heritage and community spirit. With its vibrant downtown area and numerous outdoor recreational opportunities, it offers a welcoming atmosphere for both residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Located in northeastern Iowa, Decorah is approximately 20 miles from the Wisconsin border and about 60 miles from the Mississippi River. The city is surrounded by rolling hills, making it a scenic destination, with its land area measuring 316.70 square miles and a water area of 0.13 square miles. Nearby cities include Calmar, just 12 miles away, and Sparta, Wisconsin, which is about 18 miles to the northeast.

Community & economy

Decorah boasts a strong sense of community and is celebrated for its diverse cultural offerings. The local economy thrives on tourism, education, and agriculture, with several local businesses contributing to daily life. Residents enjoy vibrant festivals, outdoor activities, and community events that foster a close-knit environment.

Transportation

Decorah is accessible via U.S. Highway 9 and Iowa Highway 13, which connect the city to surrounding areas. The nearest commercial airports are in La Crosse, Wisconsin, about 40 miles away, and Waterloo, Iowa, roughly 70 miles away, providing flights for longer-distance travel. Public transportation options are limited, but local services help residents navigate the area.

History

Decorah was founded in the 1850s, primarily developed as a trading post and a center for local agriculture. The city has a rich history tied to the Norwegian immigrant community, which significantly influenced its culture and traditions. Notable events, such as the annual Nordic Fest, celebrate this heritage and draw visitors from around the region.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Decorah is its remarkable trout streams, which attract anglers from across the state. Additionally, the city is home to the famous Decorah Eagles, a pair of bald eagles that have gained national attention through live-streaming their nest activities.

ZIP codes for Decorah, IA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
52101	Decorah	Winneshiek	View map

Demographics & statistics

12,962

Population

40.9

Median age

$64,302

Median household income

$37,116

Per capita income

$237,800

Median home value

$771

Median monthly rent

72.6%

Home ownership

11.2%

Poverty rate

2.6%

Unemployment

4,150

Housing units

38.7%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

277

Under 5

291

295

5–9

309

281

10–14

294

646

15–19

677

714

20–24

749

556

25–34

584

619

35–44

649

651

45–54

684

389

55–59

409

381

60–64

399

844

65–74

885

453

75–84

476

220

85+

230

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	2,229	17.2%
18 and over	10,733	82.8%
65 and over	3,108	24.0%
Median age	40.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 94.9%

Two or more races 1.6%

Hispanic or Latino 1.1%

Asian 0.9%

Black or African American 0.6%

Other race 0.5%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.4%

Group	Count	%
White	12,431	94.9%
Two or more races	208	1.6%
Hispanic or Latino	141	1.1%
Asian	122	0.9%
Black or African American	85	0.6%
Other race	61	0.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native	54	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 3.9%

$10k–$15k 2.6%

$15k–$25k 9.5%

$25k–$35k 8.2%

$35k–$50k 12.5%

$50k–$75k 18.3%

$75k–$100k 14.4%

$100k–$150k 16.4%

$150k–$200k 7.9%

$200k+ 6.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.9%
$10k–$15k	2.6%
$15k–$25k	9.5%
$25k–$35k	8.2%
$35k–$50k	12.5%
$50k–$75k	18.3%
$75k–$100k	14.4%
$100k–$150k	16.4%
$150k–$200k	7.9%
$200k+	6.3%
Median income	$64,302

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.5%

$50k–$100k 5.2%

$100k–$150k 10.2%

$150k–$200k 17.6%

$200k–$300k 27.7%

$300k–$500k 26.4%

$500k–$1M 9.3%

$1M+ 1.0%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$237,800
Median rent / month	$771
Owner occupied	72.6%
Renter occupied	27.4%
Vacant	8.4%
Single-family detached	77.0%
Large apartment buildings	3.7%
Mobile homes	2.6%
Median rooms	6.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.32

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.1%
2010–2019	4.4%
2000–2009	11.8%
1990–1999	10.5%
1980–1989	10.3%
1970–1979	11.1%
1960–1969	6.5%
1950–1959	6.8%
1940–1949	4.9%
1939 or earlier	33.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.2%
1 bedroom	12.1%
2 bedrooms	25.9%
3 bedrooms	34.0%
4 bedrooms	18.3%
5+ bedrooms	8.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.0%
1 vehicle	30.4%
2 vehicles	38.7%
3 or more	24.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	48.2%
Electricity	17.3%
Propane / LP gas	30.1%
Fuel oil	0.7%
Wood	2.8%
No fuel used	0.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,692	53.0%
Cohabiting couple	265	5.2%
Male householder, no spouse	879	17.3%
Female householder, no spouse	1,241	24.4%
Households with children under 18	1,247	24.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	2,018	39.7%
Average household size	2.16

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	37.7%	34.6%
Married	51.3%	46.8%
Separated	0.6%	0.6%
Widowed	4.2%	9.3%
Divorced	6.2%	8.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.7%

Some HS, no diploma 2.3%

HS graduate 26.8%

Some college, no degree 17.3%

Associate's degree 13.2%

Bachelor's degree 23.5%

Graduate / professional 15.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.0%
Bachelor's or higher	38.7%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	281	7.2%
Kindergarten	135	3.4%
Elementary school	841	21.4%
High school	602	15.4%
College / grad school	2,062	52.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 36.2%

Manufacturing 13.2%

Arts, food & hospitality 10.4%

Retail trade 8.5%

Construction 8.2%

Professional & management 4.7%

Other services 3.9%

Transportation & utilities 3.6%

Finance & real estate 3.3%

Agriculture & mining 2.9%

Public administration 2.4%

Wholesale trade 1.3%

Information 1.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	39.2%
Service	21.5%
Sales & office	17.8%
Natural resources & construction	8.9%
Production & transportation	12.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	79.6%
Government	11.5%
Self-employed	8.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	64.5%
Carpool	6.6%
Public transit	0.3%
Walk	18.3%
Other means	0.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	15.9

Poverty

All people 11.2%

Under 18 years 16.3%

18 and over 10.0%

Married-couple families 6.3%

Female-led households 20.9%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	38.8%
Retirement income	25.2%
Supplemental Security	3.8%
Cash public assistance	1.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	5.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	27.7%
High cholesterol	30.1%
Heart disease	5.8%
Stroke	2.5%
Asthma	9.1%
Arthritis	22.1%
Kidney disease	2.5%
Pulmonary disease	5.3%
Cancer	6.8%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	23.1%
No physical activity	19.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	27.0%
Fair or poor health	9.7%
Poor mental health	13.1%
Poor physical health	7.8%
No health insurance	7.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	74.6%
Visited dentist	75.1%
Cholesterol screening	86.8%
Teeth loss	9.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	744	6.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	11.0%
Under 18	5.9%
18–64 years	7.2%
65 and over	25.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	79.0%
Public insurance	36.6%
Uninsured under 19	1.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	12,394	95.6%
Spanish	69	0.6%
Other Indo-European	3	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	34	0.3%
Other languages	27	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	12,701	98.0%
Born in same state	12,668	97.7%
Born in different state	8,134	62.8%
Foreign born	33	0.3%
Naturalized citizen	261	2.0%
Not a US citizen	117	44.8%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	3,413	26.3%
Italian	1,853	14.3%
French	1,155	8.9%
Arab	476	3.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	303	2.3%
English	144	1.1%
German	34	0.3%
Norwegian	5	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	39.2%
Internet access	89.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Decorah, IA have?

Decorah, IA has one ZIP code: 52101. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.