Living in Decatur, Illinois
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Decatur · Census data 2020–2024
Decatur has 69,815 residents with a median age of 39.2. The median household income is $51,592 (38% lower than the Illinois median), the median home value is $99,600, the median rent is $845/month.
Decatur at a glance
- Population
- 69,815
- Median age
- 39.2State: 39
- Median household income
- $51,592State: $83,390
- Median home value
- $99,600State: $263,300
- Median rent
- $845/moState: $1,274
- Homeowners
- 62.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21.6%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Decatur a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 62% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 38% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 8.3%; a poverty rate of 19.4%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Decatur
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Decatur the median home value is $99,600, 70% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $845 per month, which is 26.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,157 a month in housing costs.
Decatur median household income
The median household income in Decatur is $51,592 and the income per person is $32,769. 19.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Illinois: 11.8%).
Housing in Decatur: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 36,018
- Owner-occupied
- 62.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 37.1%
- Vacant
- 14.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1960
- Average household size
- 2.17
Decatur demographics
- Population
- 69,815
- Median age
- 39.2
- Under 18
- 21%
- 65 and older
- 21.3%
- Households
- 30,920
- Foreign-born
- 3.1%
- Veterans
- 6.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Decatur ›
Education in Decatur
21.6% of adults 25 and older in Decatur have a bachelor's degree or higher (Illinois: 37.8%), and 7.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Decatur
- Unemployment rate
- 8.3%State: 5.8%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 8.4%
- Drive alone
- 78.4%
- Public transit
- 1.4%
- Walk to work
- 2.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.3%
Decatur vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur | 69,815 | $51,592 | $99,600 | $845 |
| Forsyth | 3,502 | $112,000 | $281,000 | $1,222 |
| Mount Zion | 5,660 | $103,365 | $201,100 | $744 |
| Long Creek | 1,392 | $78,519 | $167,500 | $850 |
| Oreana | 1,037 | $89,000 | $137,300 | $907 |
| Harristown | 1,550 | $72,426 | $117,700 | $825 |
| Warrensburg | 921 | $81,719 | $145,400 | $775 |
| Boody | 301 | $53,500 | $104,900 | — |
| Macon | 1,047 | $68,750 | $108,600 | $918 |
More for people moving to Decatur
Decatur ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Decatur: FAQ
What is the median household income in Decatur, IL?
The median household income in Decatur is $51,592, 38% lower than the Illinois median of $83,390 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Decatur?
The median home value in Decatur is $99,600, compared with $263,300 in Illinois.
How much is rent in Decatur?
The median gross rent in Decatur is $845 per month, about 26.5% of household income.
Is Decatur, IL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 62% lower than the state median; an average commute of 18 minutes. Minuses: median household income 38% lower than the Illinois median; unemployment of 8.3%; a poverty rate of 19.4%.
What is the median age in Decatur?
The median age in Decatur is 39.2 years (Illinois: 39).
How long is the commute in Decatur?
The average commute to work in Decatur is 18 minutes; 8.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Decatur?
The unemployment rate in Decatur is 8.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Decatur?
21.6% of adults in Decatur have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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