Decatur has a traditional small-town atmosphere--and the sophistication and excitement of a college town--along with all the benefits of living in a major metropolitan area. The city's motto, inscribed on the city seal, reads "A city of homes, churches, and schools."

Take a walk through Decatur and see how friendly neighbors, tree-lined streets, great schools, parks and playing fields, libraries, colleges, and businesses all make it a wonderful place to spend some time.

Founded in 1823, Decatur is the second oldest municipality in the Atlanta metropolitan area and the seat of DeKalb County. Well-maintained homes and tree-lined streets in mature neighborhoods serve the close to 18,000 people who make Decatur their home. The Town Square is the center for community activity, shopping and dining and has more than 40 restaurants, galleries, boutiques and shops.  Annual concerts, festivals and parades are also hosted in the Town Square. Decatur's nationally recognized school system is mainly a success because of the community's decision to make education a high priority. Options for real estate in Decatur consist of single-family detached homes, estate properties, condominiums, townhouses and land lots. 

History

Decatur is a city in DeKalb County, Georgia. At the 2000 census Decatur's population was 18,147. 

In 1823 Decatur was establish at the intersection of two Native American trails. The town was named for naval hero Stephen Decatur. The Western and Atlantic Railroad wanted to make Decatur the southernmost stop on its railroad. The noise was not wanted by the residents, so they rejected the proposal.

In the last half of the twentieth century, metropolitan area of Atlanta expanded into unincorporated DeKalb County, eventually surrounding on all sides the incorporated town of Decatur. Many well-to-do and middle class people fled the area to more distant suburbs. In the 1960s and 1970s There was a dramatic drop in property values. However, in recent times, the city has regained economic vitality with a large influx of young professionals.

In preparation 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. The city was the headquarters to the Olympic Irish delegation. In subsequent years, the neighborhood of downtown Decatur have become trendy, serving as a small mixed use district with easy transit to downtown Atlanta.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 18,147 people, 8,051 households, and 3,856 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 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 multiple races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.68% of the population.

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

The population was 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 were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years.

Decatur has a large gay and lesbian population who were attracted by the city's liberal values and close in location to Atlanta.

The median income for a family was $65,064 and the median income for a household in the city was $47,395. The male's median income of $46,817 versus $38,381 for females. The per capita income for the city was $29,363. About 7.0% of families and 11.7% of the population were under the poverty line, including 15.7% of those under age 18 and 13.6% of those age 65 or over.

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