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Decatur County, Iowa (IA)



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Decatur County, IA map
County population in July 2007: 8,409 (all rural)
County owner-occupied houses and condos: 2,374
Renter-occupied apartments: 963
% of renters here:  29%
State:  28%
Land area: 532 sq. mi.
Water area: 1.5 sq. mi.
Population density: 16 people per square mile 
 
 (low).

2008 cost of living index in Decatur County: 74.8 (low, U.S. average is 100)

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Industries providing employment: Educational,health and social services (30.2%), Manufacturing (12.8%).

Type of workers:

  • Private wage or salary: 71%
  • Government: 13%
  • Self-employed, not incorporated: 14%
  • Unpaid family work: 1%

Decatur County, Iowa business data: stores, dealers, real estate agents, wholesalers, restaurants...

Races in Decatur County, Iowa:

  • White Non-Hispanic (95.5%)
  • Hispanic (1.7%)
  • Two or more races (1.1%)
  • Black (1.0%)
  • American Indian (0.7%)
(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Median resident age:  36.4 years
Iowa median age:  36.6 years

Males: 4,248  (48.9%)
Females: 4,441  (51.1%)
Average wage per job in 2003: $19,477
County population in 2003: 8,577
Jobs in 2003: 2,765

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Decatur County,IA real estate house value trend


Total labor force in 2004: 4,140
Unemployment rate in 2004: 5.5%

Average household size:
Decatur County:  2.4 people
Iowa:  2.5 people

Estimated median household income in 2007: $32,762 ($27,343 in 1999)
This county:  $32,762
Iowa:  $47,292

2007 median house/condo value: $74,531 ($45,400 in 2000)
Decatur County:  $74,531
Iowa:  $117,900

Median contract rent in 2007 for apartments: $305 (lower quartile is $215, upper quartile is $390)
This county:  $305
State:  $454


Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $76,910 (it was $51,900 in 2000)
Decatur County:  $76,910
Iowa:  $117,900
Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $39,397 - $124,870

Mean price in 2007:
Detached houses: $103,830
Here:  $103,830
State:  $150,000

Townhouses or other attached units: $134,045
Here:  $134,045
State:  $158,666

In 3-to-4-unit structures: $275,775
Here:  $275,775
State:  $127,528

In 5-or-more-unit structures: $61,804
Here:  $61,804
State:  $124,442

Mobile homes: $35,930
Here:  $35,930
State:  $29,315
Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $968
Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $277

Institutionalized population: 106


Crime in 2004 (reported by the sheriff's office or county police, not the county total):

  • Murders: 0
  • Rapes: 0
  • Robberies: 0
  • Assaults: 0
  • Burglaries: 0
  • Thefts: 9
  • Auto thefts: 2

Decatur County races chart


Decatur County, IA map from a distance


2004 Presidential Election results in Decatur County Iowa:


Bush/Cheney (Republican): 52.1%
Kerry/Edwards (Democratic): 46.4%




Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units in 2000: $604 (1.2%)

Decatur County household income distribution in 2007 Decatur County home values distribution


Decatur County contract rent distribution in 2007

Residents with income below the poverty level in 2007:
This county:  15.5%
Whole state:  9.1%

Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level in 2007:
This county:  6.9%
Whole state:  3.8%

Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Decatur County is $379 a month.
Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $498 a month.
Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $608 a month.

Cities in this county include: Lamoni, Leon, Davis City, Garden Grove, Van Wert, Grand River, Decatur City, Weldon, Pleasanton, Le Roy.

Neighboring counties: Clarke County , Harrison County, Missouri , Lucas County , Mercer County, Missouri , Ringgold County , Union County , Wayne County .


Decatur County close-up map

Click to draw/clear county borders

Notable locations in this county outside city limits:

Notable locations in Decatur County: De Kalb (A), Decatur Rest Area (B), Rocky Ford (C), Elk (D), Little River (E), Franklin (F), Giles Junction (G), Westerville (H), Crown (I), Woodland (J), Decatur County Home (K). Display/hide their locations on the map

Churches in Decatur County include: New Salem Church (A), Franklin Church (B), Bethel Church (C), Bloomington Church (D), Latter-Day Saints Church (E), Elk Chapel (F). Display/hide their locations on the map

Cemeteries: Warrick Cemetery (1), Manchester Cemetery (2), Old Funk Cemetery (3), Waller Cemetery (4), Young Cemetery (5), Oak Hill Cemetery (6), Baker Cemetery (7). Display/hide their locations on the map

Reservoir: Lake LaShane (A). Display/hide its location on the map

Streams, rivers, and creeks: Sand Creek (A), Sevenmile Creek (B), Short Creek (C), Redmans Branch (D), Jonathan Creek (E), Mormon Pool (F), Elk Creek (G), West Little River (H), Lick Branch (I). Display/hide their locations on the map

Parks in Decatur County include: Nine Eagles State Park (1), The Mormon Trail State Historical Marker (2), Kobville Park (3), Sand Creek State Wildlife Area (4), Little River Recreation Area (5), Slip Bluff County Park (6), Mormon Pioneer Historic Trailside Park (7), Shewmaker County Park (8), Decatur State Wildlife Area (9). Display/hide their locations on the map

 
Unemployment in September 2007:
Here:  4.1%
Iowa:  3.6%


Unemployment by year (%)


County total employment by year


County average yearly wages by year ($)


Current college students: 1,075
People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 81.7%
People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 15.1%

Number of foreign born residents: 176 (15% naturalized citizens)

Decatur County:  2.0%
Whole state:  3.1%

Year of entry for the foreign-born population
  • 1995 to March 2000: 117
  • 1990 to 1994: 11
  • 1985 to 1989: 8
  • 1980 to 1984: 24
  • 1975 to 1979: 0
  • 1970 to 1974: 2
  • 1970 to 1974: 7
  • 1965 to 1969: 7


Mean travel time to work: 22.2 minutes

Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 68.1%

Decatur County marital status for males
Decatur County marital status for females

Housing units in structures:

  • One, detached: 2,941
  • One, attached: 23
  • Two: 83
  • 3 or 4: 150
  • 5 to 9: 127
  • 10 to 19: 39
  • 20 or more: 94
  • Mobile homes: 363
  • Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 13

Housing units in Decatur County with a mortgage: 622 (32 second mortgage, 15 home equity loan, 9 both second mortgage and home equity loan)
Houses without a mortgage: 812

Here:  43.4% with mortgage
State:  62.8% with mortgage

Agriculture in Decatur County
Average size of farms: 353 acres
Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $53275
Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $149.85
The value of nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 0.14%
The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 65.66%
Average total farm production expenses per farm: $53937
Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 34.62%
Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $83147
The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 90.23%
Average age of principal farm operators: 57 years
Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 17.57
Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 1.08%
Corn for grain: 26741 harvested acres
All wheat for grain: 225 harvested acres
Soybeans for beans: 33101 harvested acres
Vegetables: 53 harvested acres
Land in orchards: 28 acres

Decatur County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is slightly above Iowa state average. It is 2.8 times above overall U.S. average.
Tornadoes in this county have caused 2 injuries recorded between 1950 and 2004.
On 4/23/1961, a category 2 (max. wind speeds 113-157 mph) tornado injured 2 people and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages.



Class of Workers



Most common industries for males:



  • Educational services (15%)
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (14%)
  • Construction (14%)
  • Food (5%)
  • Truck transportation (5%)
  • Machinery (4%)
  • Accommodation and food services (3%)


Most common industries for females:



  • Educational services (27%)
  • Health care (13%)
  • Accommodation and food services (6%)
  • Social assistance (6%)
  • Finance and insurance (5%)
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (4%)
  • Arts, entertainment, and recreation (3%)


Most common occupations for males



  • Farmers and farm managers (10%)
  • Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (6%)
  • Agricultural workers including supervisors (4%)
  • Other sales and related workers including supervisors (4%)
  • Metal workers and plastic workers (4%)
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (4%)
  • Other production occupations including supervisors (4%)


Most common occupations for females



  • Preschool, kindergarten, elementary and middle school teachers (5%)
  • Other office and administrative support workers including supervisors (5%)
  • Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (5%)
  • Cooks and food preparation workers (5%)
  • Other sales and related workers including supervisors (5%)
  • Secretaries and administrative assistants (4%)
  • Information and record clerks except customer service representatives (4%)


Most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents:



  • Canada (32%)
  • Germany (11%)
  • Other Eastern Europe (10%)
  • Taiwan (9%)
  • Mexico (9%)
  • Honduras (8%)
  • Turkey (6%)


Most common first ancestries reported in Decatur County:



  • German (25%)
  • United States or American (16%)
  • English (15%)
  • Irish (11%)
  • Norwegian (4%)
  • Dutch (4%)
  • Scottish (2%)

Decatur County mode of transportation to work chart

Means of transportation to work

  • Drove a car alone: 2,706 (67%)
  • Carpooled: 546 (14%)
  • Bus or trolley bus: 10 (0%)
  • Streetcar or trolley car: 10 (0%)
  • Subway or elevated: 7 (0%)
  • Bicycle: 15 (0%)
  • Walked: 378 (9%)
  • Other means: 46 (1%)
  • Worked at home: 316 (8%)


Owners and renters by unit type in %



Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders


People in group quarters in Decatur County, Iowa
  • 630 people in college dormitories (includes college quarters off campus)
  • 101 people in nursing homes
  • 31 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
  • 4 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
  • 2 people in other nonhousehold living situations

Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2005 was $34,849.

8.10% of this county's 2006 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2005 ($20,108 average adjusted gross income)

Here:  8.10%
Iowa average:  6.30%

1.97% of residents moved from foreign countries ($324 average AGI)
Decatur County:  1.97%
Iowa average:  0.10%

3.54% relocated from other counties in Iowa ($11,009 average AGI)
2.59% relocated from other states ($8,775 average AGI)
Decatur County:  2.59%
Iowa average:  2.55%



Percentage of residents relocating from other counties or countries


Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2005 and 2006:
from Clarke County, IA  0.80% ($25,500 average AGI)
from Polk County, IA  0.66% ($30,944)
from Wayne County, IA  0.36% ($21,600)


7.32% of this county's 2005 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2006 ($25,241 average adjusted gross income)

Here:  7.32%
Iowa average:  6.47%

10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
4.23% relocated to other counties in Iowa ($15,990 average AGI)
3.09% relocated to other states ($9,251 average AGI)
Decatur County:  3.09%
Iowa average:  2.80%



Percentage of residents relocating to other counties or countries


Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2005 and 2006:
to Clarke County, IA  1.18% ($28,906 average AGI)
to Polk County, IA  0.63% ($36,941)
to Jackson County, MO  0.40% ($15,727)

Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 11.3
Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2003: 10.5



Births per 1000 population in Decatur County

Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 13.5
Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2003: 11.6



Deaths per 1000 population in Decatur County

Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 9.3
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2003: 8.6



Infant deaths per 1000 live births in Decatur County

Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2003: 1,729 (1,526 aged, 203 disabled)
Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 14%
Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 11%

Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 11.71
Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 4802.060
Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 292.810
Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 27664.56

General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1313.190
Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 825.1

Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 36.5
Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 46.48


Household type by relationship


Households: 7,916
  • In family households: 6,552 (1,830 male householders, 361 female householders)
    1,850 spouses, 2,198 children (2,018 natural, 64 adopted, 116 stepchildren), 86 grandchildren, 35 brothers or sisters, 28 parents, 57 other relatives, 107 non-relatives
  • In nonfamily households: 1,364 (507 male householders (399 living alone)), 654 female householders (599 living alone)), 203 nonrelatives
  • In group quarters: 773 (134 institutionalized population)

Size of family households: 1,086 2-persons, 412 3-persons, 387 4-persons, 197 5-persons, 61 6-persons, 48 7-or-more-persons.

Size of nonfamily households: 998 1-person, 132 2-persons, 17 3-persons, 7 4-persons, 7 5-persons.

94.4% of residents of Decatur County speak English at home.
2.5% of residents speak Spanish at home (64% speak English very well, 17% speak English well, 19% speak English not well).
2.5% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (66% speak English very well, 29% speak English well, 5% speak English not well).
0.6% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (68% speak English very well, 32% speak English not well).

In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $59,426,000 ($6960 per capita)
Department of Defense expenditure: $562,000
Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $20,868,000
Federal other direct payments to individuals: $11,193,000
Federal direct payments not to individuals: $7,153,000
Federal grants: $17,064,000
Federal procurement contracts: $596,000 ($0,000 Department of Defense)
Federal salaries and wages: $2,551,000 ($0,000 Department of Defense)
Federal Government direct loans: $8,425,000
Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $1,090,000
Federal Government insurance: $12,076,000

Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 459
Here:  53 per 1000 residents
State:  66 per 1000 residents

Deaths: 507
Here:  59 per 1000 residents
State:  48 per 1000 residents

Net international migration: +109
Here:  +13 per 1000 residents
State:  +10 per 1000 residents

Net internal migration: -134
Here:  -16 per 1000 residents
State:  -14 per 1000 residents



Population growth in Decatur County

Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 0.57 millions of gallons per day (58% from ground, 42% from surface)

Median number of rooms in houses and condos:
Here:  6.1
State:  6.3

Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:  4.2
State:  4.2



Year house built:

  • 1999 to March 2000: 110
  • 1995 to 1998: 207
  • 1990 to 1994: 130
  • 1980 to 1989: 350
  • 1970 to 1979: 676
  • 1960 to 1969: 319
  • 1950 to 1959: 369
  • 1940 to 1949: 234
  • 1939 or earlier: 1,438

Rooms in owner-occupied houses in Decatur County, Iowa:
  • 1 room: 18
  • 2 rooms: 6
  • 3 rooms: 50
  • 4 rooms: 291
  • 5 rooms: 489
  • 6 rooms: 521
  • 7 rooms: 410
  • 8 rooms: 247
  • 9+ rooms: 342


Rooms in renter-occupied apartments in Decatur County, Iowa:
  • 1 room: 18
  • 2 rooms: 110
  • 3 rooms: 225
  • 4 rooms: 188
  • 5 rooms: 160
  • 6 rooms: 142
  • 7 rooms: 48
  • 8 rooms: 36
  • 9+ rooms: 36


Bedrooms in owner-occupied houses and condos in Decatur County:
  • no bedroom: 18
  • 1 bedroom: 80
  • 2 bedrooms: 642
  • 3 bedrooms: 1,039
  • 4 bedrooms: 428
  • 5+ bedrooms: 167


Bedrooms in renter-occupied apartments in Decatur County:
  • no bedroom: 25
  • 1 bedroom: 356
  • 2 bedrooms: 291
  • 3 bedrooms: 196
  • 4 bedrooms: 69
  • 5+ bedrooms: 26


Cars and other vehicles available in Decatur County in owner-occupied houses/condos:
  • no vehicle: 83
  • 1 vehicle: 545
  • 2 vehicles: 1,055
  • 3 vehicles: 462
  • 4 vehicles: 155
  • 5+ vehicles: 74


Cars and other vehicles available in Decatur County in renter-occupied apartments
  • no vehicle: 174
  • 1 vehicle: 455
  • 2 vehicles: 240
  • 3 vehicles: 65
  • 4 vehicles: 14
  • 5+ vehicles: 15


54% of Decatur County residents lived in the same house 5 years ago.
   Out of people who lived in different houses, 39% lived in this county.
   Out of people who lived in different counties, 39% lived in Iowa.

Decatur County:  54.5%
State average:  57.7%


Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:

  • This state: 5836
  • Northeast: 161
  • Midwest: 1627
  • South: 448
  • West: 415

Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses in 2000: $22,300


Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities: 3%

Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities: 3%


Year Householders Moved Into Unit:

 


Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos:
  • Bottled, tank, or LP gas (44.1%)
  • Utility gas (37.2%)
  • Electricity (12.5%)
  • Wood (4.5%)
  • Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (1.3%)


Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments:
  • Utility gas (46.5%)
  • Electricity (29.2%)
  • Bottled, tank, or LP gas (19.9%)
  • Wood (2.4%)
  • Other fuel (1.0%)
  • Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. (0.5%)



Private vs. public school enrollment:
Students in private schools in grades 1 to 8 (elementary and middle school): 57
Here:  6.1%
Iowa:  10.8%

Students in private schools in grades 9 to 12 (high school): 51
Here:  11.1%
Iowa:  7.1%

Students in private undergraduate colleges: 797
Here:  79.1%
Iowa:  25.4%


Educational Attainment


School Enrollment by Level of School



Age and Sex of Sensory-Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)


Age and Sex of Physically-Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)



Age and Sex of Mentally-Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)


Age and Sex of Self-Care Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)



Age and Sex of Go-Outside-Home Disabled Residents (Noninstitutionalized)


Age and Sex of Residents with Employment Disability (Noninst.)


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Total Number Of Recipients


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of aged recipients


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of blind and disabled recipients


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of recipients under 18


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of recipients between 18 and 64


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of recipients older than 64


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Number of recipients also receiving OASDI


Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - Amount of payments (thousands of dollars)



Decatur County Fatal accident statistics for 1975 - 2007:

Fatal accident count (per 100,000 population)


Fatal accident count (per 100,000 population)