Decatur
City in Morgan County, Alabama
Decatur is a city in Morgan County, Alabama, with 57,938 residents (2020 Census). It sits at 561 ft (171 m) above sea level. The nearest town is Trinity, 5.5 miles W.
- 57,938residents (2020 Census)
- 561 ftelevation · 171 m
- 54.6 sq miland area · 141.3 km²
- 1,062 / sq mipopulation density
- 35601main ZIP code (2 in total)
About Decatur
Decatur () is the largest city in and the county seat of Morgan County (with a portion also in Limestone County) in the U.S. state of Alabama. Nicknamed "The River City," it is located in northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake along the Tennessee River. The population was 57,938 at the 2020 census.
Decatur is the core city of the two-county large Decatur metropolitan area, with an estimated population of 157,425 in 2022. Combined with the Huntsville Metropolitan Area, the two create the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area, of which Decatur is the second-largest city.
Like many southern cities in the early 19th century, Decatur's early success was based upon its location along a river. Railroad routes and boating traffic pushed the city to the front of North Alabama's economic atmosphere. The city rapidly grew into a large economic center within the Tennessee Valley and was a hub for travelers and cargo between Nashville and Mobile, as well as Chattanooga and New Orleans. Throughout the 20th century, the city experienced steady growth but was eclipsed as the regional economic center by the fast-growing Huntsville during the space race. Decatur now finds its economy heavily based on manufacturing, mining, cargo transit, chemical, and high-tech companies such as Vulcan Materials, Daikin, Toray, and United Launch Alliance.
Text: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Decatur weather: 7-day forecast
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Source: National Weather Service (NOAA).
Live webcams in Decatur
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Living in Decatur
- Median household income
- $61,563
- Median home value
- $210,200
- Median rent
- $896/mo
- Median age
- 39.7
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Map of Decatur
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Open in Google Maps ›Decatur, AL population
Decatur had 57,938 residents in the 2020 Census.
| 2020 Census | 57,938 |
|---|---|
| Density | 1,062 per sq mi (410 per km²) |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census.
Decatur at a glance
| State | Alabama (AL) |
|---|---|
| County | Morgan County |
| Type | City |
| Population | 57,938 (2020) |
| Land area | 54.57 sq mi (141.3 km²) |
| Water area | 6.42 sq mi (16.64 km²) |
| Elevation | 561 ft (171 m) |
| Coordinates | 34.5730° N, 86.9899° W |
| ZIP codes | 35601, 35603 |
| Official website | cityofdecatural.com |
| Census code (GEOID) | 0120104 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Gazetteer, ZCTA), USGS GNIS, Wikidata.
Towns near Decatur
- Trinity5.5 mi W
- Priceville6.7 mi SE
- Mooresville7.2 mi NE
- Hartselle9.6 mi S
- Hillsboro11.8 mi NW
- Somerville13.5 mi SE
- Triana13.8 mi E
- Falkville14.3 mi S
- Athens14.7 mi N
- Madison16.1 mi NE
- Moulton17.6 mi W
- North Courtland19.4 mi W
Straight-line distance between town centers.
Frequently asked questions about Decatur
What county is Decatur in?
Decatur is in Morgan County, Alabama.
What is the population of Decatur, AL?
57,938 people lived in Decatur at the 2020 Census.
What is the ZIP code of Decatur, AL?
The main ZIP code is 35601. Other ZIP codes: 35603.
What is the elevation of Decatur?
561 feet (171 m) above sea level.
What towns are near Decatur?
Trinity (5.5 mi), Priceville (6.7 mi), Mooresville (7.2 mi), Hartselle (9.6 mi), Hillsboro (11.8 mi).
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