Winneshiek County, Iowa
Winneshiek County is tucked into Iowa’s northeast corner and is named after a Winnebago chief. The county is well known for its Norwegian heritage, which is celebrated at the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum.
With about 20,000 residents, Winneshiek County offers a great mix of scenic beauty and cultural richness. Dunning’s Spring Park, located in Decorah, features a beautiful waterfall.
Decorah is the county seat and home to Luther College. The town is also famous for its bald eagles, whose nest cam attracts viewers from around the world. Between Decorah’s Norwegian character and its striking limestone bluffs, Winneshiek County has a unique charm that’s hard to forget.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Winneshiek County |
| County Seat | Decorah |
| Etymology | Named after Chief Winneshiek |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Decorah, Calmar, Cresco, Fort Atkinson, and several smaller communities |
| Interstates and Highways | U.S. Highway 52, U.S. Highway 63, Iowa Highway 9 |
| FIPS Code | 19-191 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 690 square miles (land: 687 sq mi, water: 3 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Fillmore County, Minnesota (Northwest), Houston County, Minnesota (Northeast), Allamakee County (East), Fayette County (South), Chickasaw County (Southwest), Howard County (West), Clayton County (Southeast) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CST) |
| Population | 21,400 |
| State | Iowa |
| Coordinates | 43.30°N, 91.79°W |
| Major Landmarks | Decorah’s historic downtown, the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, and the Decorah Ice Cave |
