County population in 2016: 8,284 (all rural); it was 8,689 in 2000County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 1,168 County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 1,103 County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 2,374 Renter-occupied apartments: 952 (it was 963 in 2000)
% 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).
Mar. 2016 cost of living index in Decatur County: 83.3 (low, U.S. average is 100)
Estimated median household income in 2016: $39,649 ($27,343 in 1999)
This county:
$39,649
Iowa:
$56,247
Median contract rent in 2016 for apartments: $393 (lower quartile is $261, upper quartile is $471)
This county:
$393
State:
$611
Estimated median house or condo value in 2016: $84,866 (it was $51,900 in 2000)
Decatur:
$84,866
Iowa:
$142,300
Lower value quartile - upper value quartile: $46,129 - $157,147 Median monthly housing costs for homes and condos with a mortgage: $960 Median monthly housing costs for units without a mortgage: $410
Institutionalized population: 91
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
Single-family new house construction building permits:
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2016: $1,507 (1.6%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2016: $1,222 (1.6%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2016: 19.9%
Decatur County:
19.9%
Iowa:
11.8%
(19.0% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 37.5% for Black residents, 31.1% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 94.3% for American Indian residents, 75.0% for Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander residents, 1.0% for two or more races residents)
Median age of residents in 2016: 36.8 years old
(Males: 34.8 years old, Females: 39.3 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 38.1 years old, Black residents: 22.9 years old, American Indian residents: 58.6 years old, Asian residents: 63.1 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 21.7 years old, Other race residents: 20.3 years old)
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.
Notable locations in this county outside city limits:
Notable locations in Decatur County: Hibbsville (A), Piano (B), Tranquillity (C), Griffinsville (D), Milledgeville (E), Jerome (F), Rathbun (G), Clarkdale (H), Brazil (I), Little Flock Chapel Roadside Rest Area (J), Rathbun Fish Hatchery (K), Appanoose County Farm (L), Appanoose Country Club (M), Southern Appanoose County First Responders (N), Rathbun Research Center (O). Display/hide their locations on the map
Churches in Decatur County include: Concord Church (A), Fairview Church (B), Hilltown Church (C), Chariton River Church (D), Little Flock Chapel (E), North Bend Church (F), Orleans Church (G), Salem Church (H), Sharon Chapel (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Cemeteries: Numa Cemetery (1), Otterbien Cemetery (2), Philadelphia Cemetery (3), Pleasant Hill Cemetery (4), Boswell Cemetery (5), Bryant Cemetery (6), Porter Cemetery (7). Display/hide their locations on the map
Streams, rivers, and creeks: Boyd Branch (A), Brush Creek (B), Buck Branch (C), Buzzard Creek (D), Catfish Branch (E), Catherall Creek (F), Cooper Creek (G), Spring Creek (H), South Fork Chariton River (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Parks in Decatur County include: Sharon Bluffs State Park (1), Tubaugh Wildlife Area (2), Sundown Lake Recreation Area (3), Moravia Recreation Area (4), Plano Recreation Area (5), Sedan Bottoms (6), Rolling Cove Park (7), Island View Park (8), Prairie Ridge Park (9). Display/hide their locations on the map
Current college students: 1,075 People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 86.5% People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 21.0%
Number of foreign born residents: 149 (23.4% naturalized citizens)
Decatur County:
1.8%
Whole state:
5.1%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
2010 or later: 70
2000 to 2009: 51
1990 to 1999: 7
1980 to 1989: 32
1970 to 1979: 2
Before 1970: 14
Note: State values scaled to Decatur County population
Mean travel time to work (commute): 22.2 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 68.1%
Housing units in structures:
One, detached: 3,028
One, attached: 26
Two: 85
3 or 4: 162
5 to 9: 106
10 to 19: 66
20 to 49: 102
50 or more: 24
Mobile homes: 289
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 5
Housing units in Decatur County with a mortgage: 994 (14 second mortgage, 83 home equity loan, 9 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 1,091
Here:
99.9% with mortgage
State:
60.6% with mortgage
Religion statistics for Decatur County
Religion
Adherents
Congregations
Evangelical Protestant
1,383
16
Other
632
4
Mainline Protestant
630
8
Catholic
195
2
None
5,617
-
Decatur County Religion Details
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.
Food Environment Statistics:
Number of grocery stores: 2
Decatur County:
2.37 / 10,000 pop.
State:
2.14 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 4
Decatur County:
4.74 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:
5.55 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 4
This county:
4.74 / 10,000 pop.
State:
8.01 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Decatur County:
7.7%
Iowa:
7.8%
Adult obesity rate:
Decatur County:
26.0%
State:
27.3%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Here:
12.7%
State:
14.5%
Agriculture in Decatur County:
Average size of farms: 353 acres Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $53,275 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: $53,937 Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 34.62% Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $83,147 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
Tornado activity:
Decatur County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is significantly below Iowa state average. It is 2200765.7 times below overall U.S. average. Tornadoes in this county have caused 15 injuries recorded between 1950 and 2004. On 5/20/1959, a category 4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado injured 5 people and caused between $50,000 and $500,000 in damages.
Earthquake activity:
Decatur County-area historical earthquake activity is near Iowa state average. It is 80% smaller than the overall U.S. average.
On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.4 (5.1 MB, 4.8 MS, 5.4 MW, 5.2 MW, Depth: 8.9 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 351.7 miles away from Decatur County center On 6/10/1987 at 23:48:54, a magnitude 5.1 (4.9 MB, 4.4 MS, 4.6 MS, 5.1 LG) earthquake occurred 340.4 miles away from the county center On 9/26/1990 at 13:18:51, a magnitude 5.0 (4.7 MB, 4.8 LG, 5.0 LG, Depth: 7.7 mi) earthquake occurred 336.1 miles away from the county center On 5/4/1991 at 01:18:54, a magnitude 5.0 (4.4 MB, 4.6 LG, 5.0 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 358.9 miles away from the county center On 7/16/2004 at 12:17:30, a magnitude 3.5 (3.5 MW, 3.3 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 92.5 miles away from Decatur County center On 6/18/2002 at 17:37:15, a magnitude 5.0 (4.3 MB, 4.6 MW, 5.0 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 373.0 miles away from the county center Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)
Most recent natural disasters:
Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding, Incident Period: June 03, 2014 to June 05, 2014, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4181: July 14, 2014, FEMA Id: 4181, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood, Wind
Iowa Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding, Incident Period: April 17, 2013 to April 30, 2013, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4119: May 31, 2013, FEMA Id: 4119, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood, Wind
Iowa Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, Incident Period: June 01, 2010 to August 31, 2010, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1930: July 29, 2010, FEMA Id: 1930, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, Incident Period: May 25, 2008 to August 13, 2008, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1763: May 27, 2008, FEMA Id: 1763, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
Iowa Severe Winter Storm, Incident Period: December 10, 2007 to December 11, 2007, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1737: January 04, 2008, FEMA Id: 1737, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm
Iowa Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, Incident Period: May 05, 2007 to May 07, 2007, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1705: May 25, 2007, FEMA Id: 1705, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
Iowa Hurricane Katrina Evacuation, Incident Period: August 29, 2005 to October 01, 2005, Emergency Declared EM-3239: September 10, 2005, FEMA Id: 3239, Natural disaster type: Hurricane
Iowa Severe Weather, Tornadoes and Flooding, Incident Period: June 13, 1998 to July 15, 1998, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1230: July 02, 1998, FEMA Id: 1230, Natural disaster type: Tornado, Flood
Iowa Flooding, Severe Storm, Incident Period: April 13, 1993 to October 01, 1993, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-996: July 09, 1993, FEMA Id: 996, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
Iowa Flooding, Severe Storm, Incident Period: September 14, 1992 to September 15, 1992, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-965: October 02, 1992, FEMA Id: 965, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
1 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.
The number of natural disasters in Decatur County (11) is near the US average (13). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 10 Emergencies Declared: 1
Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 9, Storms: 7, Tornadoes: 5, Winds: 2, Heavy Rain: 1, Hurricane: 1, Winter Storm: 1 (Note: Some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (7%)
Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (6%)
Office and administrative support occupations (17%)
Management occupations (13%)
Food preparation and serving related occupations (12%)
Education, training, and library occupations (12%)
Sales and related occupations (8%)
Healthcare support occupations (7%)
Personal care and service occupations (5%)
Most common places of birth for the foreign-born residents (%):
Mexico (21%)
Canada (16%)
Philippines (11%)
Korea (11%)
Other Eastern Africa (9%)
Other Northern Europe (8%)
Honduras (8%)
Most common first ancestries reported in Decatur County (%):
German (19%)
American (15%)
English (12%)
Irish (9%)
Pennsylvania German (3%)
Norwegian (3%)
European (2%)
Means of transportation to work:
Drove a car alone: 2,097 (67.0%)
Carpooled: 373 (11.9%)
Bus or trolley bus: 3 (0.1%)
Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 24 (0.8%)
Bicycle: 29 (0.9%)
Walked: 362 (11.6%)
Worked at home: 227 (7.3%)
Owners and renters by unit type in %
Breakdown of mean house values by ages of householders ($)
People in group quarters in Decatur County, Iowa in 2000:
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
People in group quarters in Decatur County, Iowa in 2010:
561 people in college/university student housing
90 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
6 people in other noninstitutional facilities
5 people in workers' group living quarters and job corps centers
Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2010 was $38,442.
6.20% of this county's 2011 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2010 ($34,460 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
6.20%
Iowa average:
5.75%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
3.58% relocated from other counties in Iowa ($20,117 average AGI)
2.62% relocated from other states ($14,344 average AGI)
Decatur County:
2.62%
Iowa average:
2.41%
Percentage of residents relocating from other counties or countries
Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2010 and 2011:
9.10% of this county's 2010 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2011 ($28,988 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
9.10%
Iowa average:
5.94%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
5.31% relocated to other counties in Iowa ($15,069 average AGI)
3.80% relocated to other states ($13,919 average AGI)
Decatur County:
3.80%
Iowa average:
2.60%
Percentage of residents relocating to other counties or countries
Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2010 and 2011:
Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 11.3 Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 11.0
Births per 1000 population in Decatur County
Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 13.5 Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 10.9 Deaths per 1000 population from 2007 to 2014: 12.0
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 2006: 7.8
Infant deaths per 1000 live births in Decatur County
Population without health insurance coverage in 2013: 13.4% Persons under 19 years old without health insurance coverage in 2013: 6.6%
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Decatur County
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Decatur County
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2007: 1,658 (1,450 aged, 208 disabled) Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2007: 150 (8%)
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Aged persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Disabled persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)
Most common underlying causes of death in Decatur County, Iowa in 1999 - 2014:
Bronchus or lung, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (75)
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, so described (60)
Stroke, not specified as haemorrhage or infarction (50)
Pneumonia, unspecified (45)
Alzheimer's disease, unspecified (42)
Colon, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (40)
Malaise and fatigue (34)
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: 4,802 Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 293 Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 27,665
General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1,313 Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 825
Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 37 Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 46
Household type by relationship:
Households: 8,284
In family households: 6,092 (992 male householders, 997 female householders)
1,606 spouses, 2,140 children (1,986 natural, 55 adopted, 98 stepchildren), 96 grandchildren, 17 brothers or sisters, 43 parents, 68 other relatives, 136 non-relatives
In nonfamily households: 1,425 (567 male householders (468 living alone)), 628 female householders (547 living alone)), 229 nonrelatives
In group quarters: 763
Size of family households: 1,062 2-persons, 310 3-persons, 293 4-persons, 243 5-persons, 38 6-persons, 37 7-or-more-persons.
1,172 married couples with children.
476 single-parent households (88 men, 388 women).
93.5% of residents of Decatur speak English at home.
1.4% of residents speak Spanish at home (64% speak English very well, 2% speak English well, 18% speak English not well, 16% don't speak English at all).
4.8% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (61% speak English very well, 30% speak English well, 8% speak English not well, 1% don't speak English at all).
0.2% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (54% speak English very well, 15% speak English well, 31% speak English not well).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $59,426,000 ($6,960 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:
6.5
State:
6.7
Median number of rooms in apartments:
Here:
4.0
State:
4.2
Year house built
2014 or later: 60
2010 to 2013: 60
2000 to 2009: 319
1990 to 1999: 452
1980 to 1989: 346
1970 to 1979: 646
1960 to 1969: 290
1950 to 1959: 198
1940 to 1949: 189
1939 or earlier: 1,323
Note: State values scaled to Decatur population
Rooms in houses/apartments in Decatur County, Iowa
Note: State values scaled to Decatur County population
no vehicle: 69
1 vehicle: 489
2 vehicles: 780
3 vehicles: 462
4 vehicles: 178
5+ vehicles: 102
no vehicle: 301
1 vehicle: 424
2 vehicles: 260
3 vehicles: 102
4 vehicles: 6
5+ vehicles: 10
78% of Decatur County residents lived in the same house 1 years ago. Out of people who lived in different houses, 37% lived in this county. Out of people who lived in different counties, 58% lived in Iowa.
Decatur County:
78.1%
State average:
84.7%
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
This state: 5,414
Other state: 2,673
Northeast: 142
Midwest: 1,600
South: 471
West: 457
Year Householders Moved Into Unit
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Decatur County
Click here to upload your Decatur County photos (outside city limits)
36.8 years
38.0 years
(50.0%)
(50.0%)
, Clarke County 
, Jefferson County, Ohio 
, Taylor County 
, Schuyler County, Missouri 
.
