1st Advantage MortgageAbout 70% of Decatur County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $59,044. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- A quick profile of Decatur County
- Housing costs in Decatur County
- Income in Decatur County compared with Iowa
- Work, industries and travel time in Decatur County
- How Decatur County compares with nearby counties
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Decatur County
- People and households in Decatur County
- What the numbers mean for Decatur County borrowers
- Debt-to-income at Decatur County's medians
- Iowa rules that apply in Decatur County
- A Decatur County borrower's checklist
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Decatur County
With an estimated 7,759 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Decatur County ranks 86th of 99 in Iowa for population. Spread over 532 square miles, that works out to roughly 14.6 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Decatur County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 9 Census places inside Decatur County, Lamoni leads by population with about 2,207; 9 of the 9 are incorporated. With so few households sampled, Decatur County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Housing costs in Decatur County
A typical Decatur County rental runs $611 a month including utilities, which is 37% below Iowa. By the Census definition, 30% of Decatur County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $113,900, or 1.9 years of median income. The ownership rate is 70%. Half the housing stock was built before 1970.
| Decatur County | Iowa | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $611/mo | $972/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $113,900 | $208,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 70% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 30% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 7.5% | 3.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 17% | 8% | n/a |
Income in Decatur County compared with Iowa
Half of Decatur County households take in less than $59,044 a year and half take in more, 21% below the Iowa median of $75,059. That places it 95th among Iowa's 99 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Decatur County | Difference from Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.7% | +7.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.9% | +5.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.1% | -7.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.4% | -5.2 pts |
About 29% of households earn under $35,000, while 23% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 14.6%, 3 points higher than the state's 11.1%. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Decatur County median.
Work, industries and travel time in Decatur County
The biggest employer of Decatur County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 31% of workers, followed by manufacturing (14%). Education and health care stands out: 31% of workers here, versus 24% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 1.9% in Decatur County. 14% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home.
| Where residents work | Decatur County | Difference from Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 30.7% | +6.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.7% | -1.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.7% | +0.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.1% | +1.2 pts |
| Construction | 8.1% | +1.2 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 5.6% | +1.9 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
How Decatur County compares with nearby counties
Clarke County is closest, 20 miles from center to center; the sixth, Lucas County, is 31 miles off. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Decatur County; Ringgold County is highest at $73,346 and Harrison County lowest at $54,367. Some neighbors are in Missouri. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Decatur County resident follows Iowa rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur County | - | $59,044 | $611/mo | 70% |
| Clarke County, IA | 20 mi | $71,641 | $931/mo | 72% |
| Wayne County, IA | 24 mi | $61,964 | $659/mo | 81% |
| Ringgold County, IA | 24 mi | $73,346 | $710/mo | 78% |
| Mercer County, MO | 25 mi | $62,679 | $590/mo | 81% |
| Harrison County, MO | 29 mi | $54,367 | $703/mo | 71% |
| Lucas County, IA | 31 mi | $61,793 | $709/mo | 79% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Decatur County
Here are the 9 most populous of the county's 9 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 64% of Decatur County residents live in one of the 9. No Decatur County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 9.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamoni | city | 2,207 | $54,554 | $644 | 11 mi |
| Leon | city | 1,899 | $54,231 | $577 | 2 mi |
| Van Wert | city | 188 | $74,375 | $775 | 9 mi |
| Garden Grove | city | 171 | $34,000 | $530 | 11 mi |
| Grand River | city | 166 | $40,156 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Davis City | city | 160 | $36,833 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Weldon | city | 88 | $51,875 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Pleasanton | city | 61 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
| Le Roy | city | 19 | $56,875 | n/a | 14 mi |
People and households in Decatur County
Degree holders: 24% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 7.6%, against 5.0% for Iowa.
| Decatur County | Iowa | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.1 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.5% | 31.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.3% | 6.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.6% | 5.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.5% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.0% | 11.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.6% | 11.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.9% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Decatur County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 47.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.7% |
| 60+ min | 9.2% |
What the numbers mean for Decatur County borrowers
A few patterns in the Decatur County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Decatur County borrower sees (free reports).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
Debt-to-income at Decatur County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Decatur County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Decatur County: $4,920
- 12% goes to median rent ($611)
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,505 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Iowa rules that apply in Decatur County
Decatur County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Iowa Division of Banking. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Iowa guide.
A Decatur County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Decatur County:
- Price the Decatur County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Related local guides
The Iowa guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Decatur County a high-income county?
Its $59,044 median ranks 95th of 99 Iowa counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Decatur County rent compare with Iowa?
$611 locally versus $972 for the state, 37% below.
What are the biggest places in Decatur County?
By population: Lamoni, Leon, Van Wert, Garden Grove, Grand River. The county has 9 Census places in all.
Will a Decatur County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Iowa as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Decatur County?
Start with the Iowa Division of Banking, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.