Decorah, Iowa
Encyclopedia
Decorah is a city in and the county seat
of Winneshiek County
, Iowa, United States. 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.
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.
-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 (16.6 km²), of which, 6.4 square miles (16.6 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 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.
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.
of Winneshiek County
, which is a major employer. The county courthouse was built in 1903. 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,
, a celebration of Norwegian culture. Decorah is also the home of the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum
.
Natural features include Dunning's Spring, 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 as well as Twin Springs Park, the former home of the hatchery.
in Winneshiek County. 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
.
Other nearby stations Include:
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Winneshiek County
Winneshiek County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 21,056 in the county, with a population density of . There were 8,721 housing units, of which 7,997 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, Iowa, United States. The population was 8,172 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
. Decorah is located at the intersection of State Highway 9
Iowa State Highway 9
Iowa Highway 9 is the most northern of Iowa's east–west highways, traversing the entire northern tier of counties. It runs from the eastern terminus of South Dakota Highway 42 at the South Dakota border east of Sioux Falls, South Dakota near Benclare, to the Wisconsin border at Lansing where...
and U.S. Route 52
U.S. Route 52
U.S. Route 52 is a United States highway that runs across the northern, eastern and southeastern regions of the United States. Contrary to most other even-numbered U.S...
, and is the largest community in Winneshiek County.
History
Luther College (Iowa)
Luther College is a four-year, residential liberal arts institution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, located in Decorah, Iowa, USA...
, a liberal arts
Liberal arts
The term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...
institution affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a mainline Protestant denomination headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The ELCA officially came into existence on January 1, 1988, by the merging of three churches. As of December 31, 2009, it had 4,543,037 baptized members, with 2,527,941 of them...
. Each July Decorah is also the host of Nordic Fest
Nordic Fest
Nordic Fest is a weekend festival held annually in Decorah, Iowa, to commemorate the traditional customs and culture of Scandinavian countries, especially Norway. The event always occurs over the last weekend in July and often draws estimated crowds of 50,000 to 75,000...
, a celebration of Norwegian culture with ethnic dancing, food, and music. Decorah is also the home of the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum
Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum
The Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, Iowa is the oldest and most comprehensive museum in the United States devoted to a single immigrant ethnic group. The collection contains over 24,000 artifacts reflecting the experience of Norwegian-Americans, particularly in the Upper Midwest...
, 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
Decorah Posten
Decorah-Posten was a notable Norwegian language newspaper published in Decorah, Iowa. It was founded in 1874 by Brynild Anundsen, a native of Skien, Norway, and widely read by Scandinavian immigrants in several states.-History:...
.
The city was named for Waukon Decorah, a Winnebago
Ho-Chunk
The Ho-Chunk, also known as Winnebago, are a tribe of Native Americans, native to what is now Wisconsin and Illinois. There are two federally recognized Ho-Chunk tribes, the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin and Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska....
leader who was a U.S. ally during the Black Hawk War
Black Hawk War
The Black Hawk War was a brief conflict fought in 1832 between the United States and Native Americans headed by Black Hawk, a Sauk leader. The war erupted soon after Black Hawk and a group of Sauks, Meskwakis, and Kickapoos known as the "British Band" crossed the Mississippi River into the U.S....
of 1832 and whose people were subsequently forced out of Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
into northeast Iowa. Waukon
Waukon, Iowa
Waukon is a city in Makee Township,Allamakee County, Iowa, United States, and the county seat of Allamakee County. The population was 4,131 at the 2000 census. It is home to the annual .-History:...
, immediately east, seat of Allamakee County
Allamakee County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 14,330 in the county, with a population density of . There were 7,617 housing units, of which 5,845 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, 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.
Geography
Decorah is located at 43°18′06"N 91°47′25"W (43.301795, -91.790218),, about 15 miles (24.1 km) south of the MinnesotaMinnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
-Iowa border. It is the northernmost major community located along U.S. Route 52
U.S. Route 52
U.S. Route 52 is a United States highway that runs across the northern, eastern and southeastern regions of the United States. Contrary to most other even-numbered U.S...
in Iowa.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 6.4 square miles (16.6 km²), of which, 6.4 square miles (16.6 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.47%) is water. The Upper Iowa River
Upper Iowa River
The Upper Iowa River is a tributary of the Mississippi River in the upper Midwest of the United States.Its headwaters are in southeastern Minnesota, in Mower County near the border with Iowa. It then flows through the Iowa counties of Howard, Winneshiek, and Allamakee, and finally into the Upper...
flows through the city en route to the Upper Mississippi River
Upper Mississippi River
The Upper Mississippi River is the portion of the Mississippi River upstream of Cairo, Illinois, United States. From the headwaters at Lake Itasca, Minnesota, the river flows approximately 2000 kilometers to Cairo, where it is joined by the Ohio River to form the Lower Mississippi...
. The river is faced by steep bluff characteristic of the Driftless Area.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 8,172 people, 2,819 households, and 1,561 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
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
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 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
Norwegians
Norwegians constitute both a nation and an ethnic group native to Norway. They share a common culture and speak the Norwegian language. Norwegian people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in United States, Canada and Brazil.-History:Towards the end of the 3rd...
, 30.3% German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 5.4% English and 5.2% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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.
Economy
Decorah serves as the county seatCounty seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Winneshiek County
Winneshiek County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 21,056 in the county, with a population density of . There were 8,721 housing units, of which 7,997 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, which is a major employer. The county courthouse was built in 1903. Decorah's largest employer is Luther College
Luther College (Iowa)
Luther College is a four-year, residential liberal arts institution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, located in Decorah, Iowa, USA...
, in addition to several national corporations. Decorah also is home to Seed Savers Exchange
Seed Savers Exchange
Seed Savers Exchange, or SSE, founded by Kent Whealy and Diane Ott Whealy, is a non-profit organization based in Decorah, Iowa, that preserves heirloom plant varieties through regeneration, distribution and seed exchange...
, an heirloom plant
Heirloom plant
An heirloom plant, heirloom variety, or heirloom vegetable is a cultivar that was commonly grown during earlier periods in human history, but which is not used in modern large-scale agriculture...
farm and preservation organization,
Parks and recreation
Each July Decorah is the home of Nordic FestNordic Fest
Nordic Fest is a weekend festival held annually in Decorah, Iowa, to commemorate the traditional customs and culture of Scandinavian countries, especially Norway. The event always occurs over the last weekend in July and often draws estimated crowds of 50,000 to 75,000...
, a celebration of Norwegian culture. Decorah is also the home of the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum
Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum
The Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, Iowa is the oldest and most comprehensive museum in the United States devoted to a single immigrant ethnic group. The collection contains over 24,000 artifacts reflecting the experience of Norwegian-Americans, particularly in the Upper Midwest...
.
Natural features include Dunning's Spring, Ice Cave
Decorah Ice Cave State Preserve
Decorah Ice Cave State Preserve has one of the largest glacières in the Midwestern United States. It consists of a parcel of land at the edge of Barbara Barnhart VanPeenen Memorial Park in the northern portion of the city of Decorah, in Winnesheik County, Iowa.Ice caves are one characteristic of...
, 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 as well as Twin Springs Park, the former home of the hatchery.
Education
Decorah is part of the Decorah Community School DistrictDecorah Community School District
The Decorah Community School District is located in Decorah, Iowa. The current superintendent is Michael Haluska.School buildings in the district include:*Decorah High School*Decorah Middle School*Carrie Lee Elementary*John Cline Elementary...
in Winneshiek County. The high school is Decorah High School
Decorah High School
Decorah High School is located in Decorah, Iowa. The mascot for Decorah is the Vikings. The current principal is Kim Sheppard and the current Athletic Director is Adam Riley.-Athletics:DHS is part of the Northeast Iowa Conference....
, and the mascot is the Vikings.
Decorah is also home to Luther College
Luther College (Iowa)
Luther College is a four-year, residential liberal arts institution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, located in Decorah, Iowa, USA...
, a private four-year residential college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a mainline Protestant denomination headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The ELCA officially came into existence on January 1, 1988, by the merging of three churches. As of December 31, 2009, it had 4,543,037 baptized members, with 2,527,941 of them...
.
Radio
- KLNI 88.7 (Minnesota Public RadioMinnesota Public RadioMinnesota Public Radio , is the flagship National Public Radio member network for the state of Minnesota. With its three services, News & Information, Classical Music and The Current, MPR operates a 42-station regional radio network in the upper Midwest serving over 8 million people...
News) - KPVLKPVLKPVL is a non-commercial community radio station licensed to Postville, Iowa, USA. The station is currently owned by Postville Chamber of Commerce and managed by Radio Postville, Inc.-Mission statement:...
89.1 (Studios in both Postville and Decorah) - KLCD 89.5 (Classical Minnesota Public RadioMinnesota Public RadioMinnesota Public Radio , is the flagship National Public Radio member network for the state of Minnesota. With its three services, News & Information, Classical Music and The Current, MPR operates a 42-station regional radio network in the upper Midwest serving over 8 million people...
) - K247BF-LP 97.3 (Translator for KWVI)
- K257CI-LP 99.3 (Translator for KQYBKQYBKQYB is a radio station broadcasting a Country music format. Licensed to Spring Grove, Minnesota, USA, the station serves the La Crosse area. The station is currently owned by Family Radio, Inc..-Translators:...
-FM) - KDEC-FMKDEC-FMKDEC-FM is an adult album alternative station, playing artists like Dave Matthews, Bob Marley, Snow Patrol, Arctic Monkeys, U2, Coldplay, The Killers, Jack Johnson, Lucinda Williams, Brett Dennen, Feist, Amy Winehouse and more. The station provides local news that covers the Tri State area of...
100.5 - K268AF-LP 101.5 (Translator for KFSI)
- KVIKKVIKKVIK is an American radio station licensed to serve Decorah, the county seat of Winneshiek County, Iowa. The station is owned by Wennes Communications Stations, Inc.KVIK broadcasts a classic hits music format to northeast Iowa...
104.7 "K-Viking Gold" - KDEC 1240
- KWLCKWLCKWLC is a radio station broadcasting a Educational format. Licensed to Decorah, Iowa, USA. The station is currently owned by Luther College....
1240 (Luther CollegeLuther College (Iowa)Luther College is a four-year, residential liberal arts institution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, located in Decorah, Iowa, USA...
)
Other nearby stations Include:
- KOELKOEL (AM)KOEL is US a radio station serving Waterloo, Cedar Falls and surrounding cities with a news/talk format. The station broadcasts on AM frequency 950 kHz and is under the ownership of Cumulus Media...
950 (Oelwein, IA) - KFXE 1160 (Waukon, IA)
- KKHQ 92.3 (Oelwein-Waterloo, IA)
- WIZM-FMWIZM-FMWIZM-FM is a radio station broadcasting a Top 40 format. Licensed to La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA, the station serves the La Crosse area. The station is currently owned by Midwest Family Broadcasting -External links:*...
93.3 (La Crosse, WI) - KQYBKQYBKQYB is a radio station broadcasting a Country music format. Licensed to Spring Grove, Minnesota, USA, the station serves the La Crosse area. The station is currently owned by Family Radio, Inc..-Translators:...
98.3 (Spring Grove, MN-La Crosse, WI) - KNEI 103.5 (Waukon, IA)
- KROC-FMKROC-FM-External links:**...
106.9 (Rochester, MN)
Notable people
- William FoegeWilliam FoegeWilliam Herbert Foege M.D., M.P.H. is an American epidemiologist who is credited with "devising the global strategy that led to the eradication of smallpox in the late 1970s"....
, epidemiologist, born in Decorah in 1936 - Edward L. GardenEdward L. GardenEdward Lorenzio Garden was a Republican member of the North Dakota House of Representatives and the North Dakota Senate. He represented Bottineau County in the North Dakota's 28th legislative district.-Early life:...
, North Dakota politician - John Brayshaw KayeJohn Brayshaw KayeJohn Brayshaw Kaye was an English-born American poet, lawyer and politician.-Life and works:John Brayshaw Kaye was born in Yorkshire, England, June 10, 1841, the fifth child and the fourth son of Abram and Mary Kaye, in a family of fourteen children...
, poet and politician - Weston NobleWeston NobleWeston Noble is a highly accomplished and honored American music educator and conductor.Currently guest conductor of the Augustana Choir at Augustana College in...
, music educator - Mark PinterMark PinterMark Pinter is an American actor probably best known for his numerous roles in daytime soap operas.-Education:Pinter received his Master of Fine Arts from the Hilberry Repertory Theatre of Wayne State University.-Acting:...
, actor - Oswald VeblenOswald VeblenOswald Veblen was an American mathematician, geometer and topologist, whose work found application in atomic physics and the theory of relativity. He proved the Jordan curve theorem in 1905.-Life:...
, mathematician, geometer and topologist - Johannes B. WistJohannes B. WistJohannes B. Wist was an Norwegian American newspaper editor, journalist and author.-Biography:Born Johannes Racinus Benjaminsen, he was the son of Benjamin Johannessen Wist and Magdalene Arnoldusdatter Wist. He was born on the Sund farm in Inderøy parish in Nord-Trøndelag county, Norway. He...
, journalist - Jerry Reichow, 9-year veteran, NFL
External links
- Official Decorah City Website
- Decorah Newspapers
- Decorah Community Schools
- City Data Comprehensive Statistical Data and more about Decorah, Iowa