Relocation
Learn more about Decorah, Iowa
“To come home to Decorah is always a relief. It’s a place where you can take a breath.” – Erin Anderson
“Many school districts are losing activities and support of the arts. But it’s something really strongly supported by the community here.”
– Mike Labelle
“We went to the East Coast, to the West Coast, and were in Utah for awhile. I remember sitting in a coffee shop dreaming about what we could do if we moved to the Decorah Area” – Lilly Jensen
Welcome to your home in the Driftless. We've been waiting for you.
The Decorah Area offers a well-rounded environment for families including a top-ranked school system, outstanding health care, and a park-filled landscape. This area boasts grass-roots sustainability initiatives and local movements in support of arts, music, food, and fitness. Luther College, a private liberal-arts college, enriches Decorah with an outstanding reputation for learning and giving back, and offers a host of cultural activities to the community. The Driftless spirit is practical and free-spirited. It’s down-home and it’s indie. Its entrepreneurial and home to legacy businesses.
As you research the community of Decorah and the Driftless, there are several resources available to you:
- The Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce website shares area realtors, local businesses, and Chamber-lead community events.
- Visit Decorah Tourism shares local attractions, events, and amenities.
- Winneshiek Development has great resources if you are looking to move or build your business here.
Community Information
Emergency Services
Decorah Fire Department
400 Claiborne Drive
Decorah, IA 52101
Phone: (563) 382-3472
Decorah Police Department
400 Claiborne Dr.
PO Box 1
Decorah, IA 52101
Phone: (563) 382-3667
Winneshiek Co. Sheriffs Department
400 Claiborne Drive
Decorah, IA 52101
Phone: (563) 382-4268
Winneshiek Paramedics Services
901 Montgomery Street
Decorah, IA 52101
Phone: (563) 382-2911
Housing
Local Realtors
Contractors
Area Schools & Educational Facilities
Local News & Media
DecorahNews.com
Decorah Newspapers
www.decorahnewspapers.com
(563)382-4221
Inspire(d) Media
iloveinspired.com
(563)379-6315
Wennes Communication Stations
FM 103.5 | FM 100.5 | FM 104.7 | FM 94.9
Schools
Decorah’s K–12 public school system is consistently one of the best performing in Iowa—academically and in extracurricular activities. Recent information from Decorah High School included the following testing statistics:
- Graduation rate—98.17%
- ACT average score—22.5 with 109 students tested. 72% of the graduating class of 2006 took the ACTs. Iowa’s ACT average for the same year was 22.1 while the national average was 20.9.
Education
Health
Decorah’s health care system provides quality care throughout the area. It includes major medical clinical centers, Winneshiek Medical Center, numerous chiropractic and dental clinics, as well as rehabilitation and alternative medicine options.
Health & Medical
Local Government
Decorah City Hall
400 Claiborne Drive
Decorah, Iowa 52101
Phone: 563-382-3651
Website: https://www.decorahia.org
The vision for the City of Decorah states: To provide, in partnership with the community, an outstanding City in which to live, work, play and visit. To Provide quality service in an efficient, effective manner. To improve the livability of our community through personal dedication, integrity, accountability, innovation, and sensitivity. To ensure an even better community for future generations.
Decorah Park & Recreation Dept.
PO Box 513
Decorah, IA 52101
Website: https://parks.decorahia.org
Phone: 563-382-4158
Winneshiek Co. Courthouse
201 West Main Street
Decorah, Iowa 52101
Phone: 563-382-5085
Website: Winneshiek Co. Courthouse
The Board of Supervisors consists of five members, serving four years each on a staggered calendar. The Board of Supervisors is the policy-making body of the county. Its duties include planning construction and maintenance of the secondary road system; levying taxes to raise the revenues for county purposes; appointing members to various county boards and commissions, and receiving the reports of county officials.
Social Security Office
317 Washington Street
Suite #1
Decorah, Iowa 52101
Phone: 1-800-772-1213
Website: www.ssa.gov
Voter Registration
Auditor’s Office (Winneshiek County Courthouse, Second Floor)
201 West Main Street
Decorah, Iowa 52101
Phone: 563-382-5085
Website: Winneshiek Co. Auditor
Register to vote at the County Auditor’s Office on the second floor of the Winneshiek County Courthouse. Voter registration is required at least ten days before an election. For additional information, call 563-382-5085.
Vehicle & Licenses
Car Registration & Drivers License
Treasurer’s Office (Winneshiek County Courthouse, Second Floor)
201 West Main Street
Decorah, Iowa 52101
Phone: 563-382-5085
Vehicle registration and applications for driving privileges are available at the Treasurer’s Office. The Treasurer’s Office is located on the second floor of the Winneshiek County Courthouse. For additional information, call 563-382-5085. Transaction schedules are as follows:
- Mon–Fri: 8:00–4:00: Driver License
- Mon–Fri: 8:00–3:30: Driver License Knowledge (written) Tests
- Mon–Fri: 8:00–3:00: Car Drive Tests (behind the wheel)
- By Appointments Only: CDL Drives