Decatur is a city located in DeKalb County, Georgia. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 18,147. The city is the county seat of DeKalb County. Decatur is part of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area and public transportation is served by MARTA.

History

In 1823 Decatur was founded at the intersection of two Native American trails. The town was named for naval hero Stephen Decatur. In the 1830s, the Western and Atlantic Railroad wanted to make Decatur the southernmost stop on its railroad. The citizens of Decatur did not want the noise, pollution and growth that would come with such a major terminal, so they rejected the proposal. In response, the railroad founded a new city to the west-southwest of Decatur for the terminal. This town would later become known as Atlanta, Georgia.

During the American Civil War, Decatur became a strategic site in Sherman's campaign against Atlanta. In July of 1864 Union general James B. McPherson occupied Decatur to cut off the Confederate's supply line from Augusta, Georgia. During the Battle of Atlanta on July 22, Confederate cavalry under Major General Joseph Wheeler attacked McPherson's supply wagons and the Union troops left to defend the wagons. A marker at the Decatur courthouse marks the site of this skirmish.

To prepare for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, the downtown area of Decatur underwent a major renovation, with a particular focus on the courthouse square area.

Geography

Decatur is located at 33°46'17" North, 84°17'52" West (33.771355, -84.297732)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.8 km² (4.2 mi²). 10.8 km² (4.2 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 18,147 people, 8,051 households, and 3,856 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,676.2/km² (4,343.2/mi²). There are 8,497 housing units at an average density of 784.9/km² (2,033.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 65.61% White, 30.48% African American, 0.16% Native American, 1.64% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.63% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. 1.68% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 8,051 households out of which 22.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.1% are married couples living together, 13.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 52.1% are non-families. 39.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.13 and the average family size is 2.96.

In the city the population is spread out with 20.0% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 37.0% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 73.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 68.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $47,395, and the median income for a family is $65,064. Males have a median income of $46,817 versus $38,381 for females. The per capita income for the city is $29,363. 11.7% of the population and 7.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 15.7% of those under the age of 18 and 13.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Education levels for Decatur are above average for the Atlanta area, with 56% of residents having obtained a bachelor's degree or higher, and 27% having obtained a graduate degree or higher.

Colleges and universities

• Agnes Scott College
• Colombia Theological Seminary

Emory University is nearby in Atlanta

Notable natives

• Frank Broyles - Football player & coach
• Quincy Carter - Football player
• Rebecca Latimer Felton - former U.S. Senator
• Amy Ray and Emily Saliers - the music duo Indigo Girls
• Michael Stipe - lead singer of R.E.M.

External links

• City of Decatur Webpage