Decatur, Alabama

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Decatur, Alabama
Nickname: The River City, D-rock
Location in Morgan County and the state of Alabama
Location in Morgan County and the state of Alabama
Coordinates: 34°34′51″N 86°59′0″W / 34.58083, -86.98333
Country United States
State Alabama
Counties Morgan, Limestone
Government
 - Mayor Don Kyle
Area
 - City 59.9 sq mi (155.1 km²)
 - Land 53.4 sq mi (138.3 km²)
 - Water 6.5 sq mi (16.8 km²)
Elevation 561 ft (171 m)
Population (2006)[1]
 - City 55,778
 - Density 900.3/sq mi (359.62/km²)
 - Metro 149,269
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 - Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 35600-35699
Area code(s) 256
FIPS code 01-20104
GNIS feature ID 0117185
Decatur, Alabama (top center), along the Tennessee River, is southwest of Huntsville and north of Birmingham, along Interstate 65. Nearby towns include: Madison, Hartselle and Athens, Alabama.
Decatur, Alabama (top center), along the Tennessee River, is southwest of Huntsville and north of Birmingham, along Interstate 65. Nearby towns include: Madison, Hartselle and Athens, Alabama.

Decatur is a city in Limestone and Morgan Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The city, known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County.GR6 The estimated population in 2006 was 55,778.[1]

Decatur is also the core city of the two-county large Decatur Metropolitan Area which had 149,269 in 2006. 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 1800s, 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/Chattanooga and Mobile/New Orleans. Throughout the 20th Century, the city experienced steady growth, but was eclipsed as the regional economic center by a fast growing Huntsville during the space race. The city now finds its economy heavily based on manufacturing industries, cargo transit, and hi-tech industries such as General Electric, and the United Launch Alliance.

Contents

Initially the area was known as Rhodes Ferry, named after a ferry that crossed the Tennessee River in the 1810s at the present-day location of Rhodes Ferry Park. The city was incorporated as Albany in the year 1821. It was named in honor of Stephen Decatur; after he was killed in a duel in 1820, President Monroe directed that the Alabama town be named for him.

Decatur was a very important point in North Alabama during its earliest days. Decatur was the eastern terminus of the Decatur-Courtland-Tuscumbia Railroad (in the late 1820s and early 1830s), the first railway built west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Because of its location on the strategic Memphis & Charleston Railroad, Decatur was the site of several encounters during the American Civil War. All but three buildings were burned down during the 1864 Battle of Decatur, when Decatur was referred to as A Tough Nut To Crack. The three that remained are the Old State Bank, Dancy-Polk House, and the Rhea-McEntire House.

While the city was under Confederate control, plans for the Battle of Shiloh were mapped out within the Rhea-McEntire House. These activities made the house one of the most historic buildings in Decatur.

New Decatur was a city that rose out of the ashes of former Decatur west of the railroad tracks. New Decatur was founded in 1887 and incorporated in 1889 across the tracks from Albany. In the early 1900s the two cities melded to form one City of Decatur. There is a noticeable difference between the two sides of town. The cities developed differently at different times, and still to this day have somewhat different cultures. Eastern portions of Decatur tend to act more suburban and traditional, while western portions tend to look more metropolitan and contemporary.

The Old State Bank, on the edge of downtown, is the oldest bank building in the State of Alabama, at 173 years old. The first wave pool in the United States was built here and is still in operation at the Point Mallard Aquatic Center. Decatur has the largest Victorian era home district in the state of Alabama. Decatur is also home to Alabama's oldest opera house, the (Cotaco Opera House), which still stands on Johnston Street.

In the past its industries included repair shops of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, car works, engine works, tannery, bottling plants, and manufacturers of lumber, sashes and blinds, fertilizers, cigars, flour, cottonseed oil, and various other products.

Decatur experiences a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and a generally mild winter. Temperatures range from 101.0 °F (31.6 C) in the summer to 49.0°F (9.4 C) during winter. The city rarely experiences tornadoes during the spring and fall. But, significant severe weather does occur from time to time in the active seasons. The most significant tornado event included the Super Outbreak in 1974, while the city was largely unaffected by the more recent Huntsville, Alabama Tornado in 1989 that killed 21 and injured almost 500. Hurricanes are rare since Decatur sits nearly 300 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico. Though a few tropical systems do track through the central Tennessee Valley, they rarely inflict much damage on the city. Winters usually don't produce measurable snow; a large amount of snow is rare within the city limits. A measurable amount of snow can sometimes be experienced every three or four years.

The Morgan County portion of Decatur is surrounded by water on two sides. The Tennessee River is a northern border, while Flint Creek serves as a border between Decatur and Priceville. There is also an inlet that extends one mile into the city limits from Wheeler Lake called Dry Branch.

The northern portion of Decatur sits on top of a short hill that overlooks the Tennessee River, this creates a very steep dropoff to the river shore a Rhodes Ferry Park. This hill allows the "Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridge to leave the mainland at grade without any major sloping required more height to cross the river while not interfering with Decatur's heavy barge traffic. This hill extends from the banks of the river about 1.5 miles south to the 14th St./Magnolia St. intersection with 6th Avenue (US 31).

South past the 14th St. and 6th Ave. intersection, land continues to remain flat. South, and also west, past Alabama 67 there are a few minor mountains that sit within the city limits.

Decatur is located at 34°34′52″N, 86°59′0″W (34.580992, -86.983392)GR1.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 59.9 square miles (155.1 km²), of which, 53.4 square miles (138.3 km²) of it is land and 6.5 square miles (16.8 km²) of it (10.83%) is water.


As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 53,929 people, 21,824 households, and 14,753 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,009.7 people per square mile (389.9/km²). There were 23,950 housing units at an average density of 448.4/sq mi (173.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.50% White, 19.56% Black or African American, 0.58% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 2.22% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races. 5.64% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 21,824 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,192, and the median income for a family was $47,574. Males had a median income of $37,108 versus $22,471 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,431. About 11.9% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.2% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.

  • Population

In 1890, 2,765 people lived in Decatur, Alabama; in 1900, 3,114; in 1910, 4,228; and in 1940, 16,604[citation needed]. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city was 53,929. As of the 2006 census estimation, the population was 55,778. The city is the county seat of Morgan CountyGR6. In 1900, 4,457 people lived in New Decatur, Alabama; in 1910, 6,118. The two cities have melded.

Decatur has grown to be the busiest river port on the Tennessee River. The Port of Decatur sees large amounts of barge traffic from up and down the Tennessee River, which has led to twenty Fortune 500 companies opening plants in the city.

Decatur is also known as the "Home of Meow Mix", after the company bought a 200,000 square foot facility in town, and now utilizes its riverfront property to ship the finished product up and down the Tennessee River.

Being part of the Huntsville-Decatur CSA, the city lies within the region having the most engineers per person in the nation.

A recent BRAC Base realignment will bring a population, conservatively estimated at 5,000–10,000 people (not including their families), to the area surrounding Redstone Arsenal.

Delta IV Medium launch carrying DSCS III-B6
Delta IV Medium launch carrying DSCS III-B6

Approval of the United Launch Alliance combined Lockheed-Martin and Boeing's rocket manufacturing contracts to a central location at the plant in Decatur. All satellite launching rockets used by the U.S. government will be built in Decatur. This approval brought over 230 new jobs to the Decatur area. The ULA plant utilizes the Tennessee River to ship the rockets to Cape Canaveral.[2]

In 2002, the City of Decatur was recognized as one of the top 50 cities in the United States for manufacturing expansion.

View of Balloons Inflating At The Alabama Jubilee
View of Balloons Inflating At The Alabama Jubilee
View of Old State Bank
View of Old State Bank

Tourism is a major part of Decatur's economy. Hundreds of thousands of people from in and out of town, and from many other countries and territories, attend some of the premier festivals in the South.[3]

The Alabama Jubilee, begun in 1977, is the oldest hot air balloon race south of the Kentucky Derby's Great Balloon Race (from 1973). With visiting populations rising into 75,000, people crowd around numerous seven-story tall inflating balloons. Because of the Alabama Jubilee, Decatur has been named "The Ballooning Capital of Alabama" by the Alabama State Legislature.

The Spirit of America Festival is one of the largest free 4th of July festivals in the south. More than 65,000 people arrive in Decatur to watch annual celebrations and the Miss Point Mallard Beauty Pageant.

Riverfest is a celebration sponsored by the Decatur Jaycees. Set at Rhodes Ferry Park, along the beautiful Tennessee River, barbecuers come from all over the country to try their luck at beating Big Bob Gibson's Barbecue, the seven-time world champion winner.

Another big celebration in Decatur and North Alabama, the Racking Horse World Celebration, attracts numerous horses from around the world to compete in the largest racking horse competition. Set in the Racking Horse World Celebration Arena, the celebration draws up to 75,000 fans and competitors each year.

Replica of historic structure in the re-constructed Rose Garden in Delano Park
Replica of historic structure in the re-constructed Rose Garden in Delano Park

The Decatur Daily has been the only major newspaper based in the Decatur Metropolitan Area since 1912, and the one of the only family owned newspapers in Alabama. It has an average daily circulation of 20,824 and a Sunday circulation of 23,840. The paper's circulation area includes Morgan County, Lawrence County, Cullman County, and southern portions of Limestone.

The Huntsville Times is the only other newspaper with a larger circulation in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area, and has been in circulation since 1996 to most area counties, when the Huntsville News closed. Before then, the News was the morning paper, and the Times was the afternoon paper. After the News closed, the Times remained an afternoon paper until 2004.

Decatur is served by two major airports. The Huntsville International Airport, in suburban Huntsville is the second busiest airport in Alabama, behind Birmingham International Airport. The city is also served by the busiest regional airport in Alabama, the Pryor Field Regional Airport.[4]

Captain William J. Hudson "Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridges
Captain William J. Hudson "Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridges

Decatur, being only a mid-sized city, has not yet seen the conveniences of a major controlled access highway passing through the city limits.

Decatur's main thoroughfares are 6th Avenue (US 31) and The Beltline (State Route 67). 6th Avenue begins as both Alabama 20, Alternate U.S. 72, and US 31 split after being carried by the twin-span "Steamboat Bill" Hudson Memorial Bridge that crosses Tennessee River at the north central part of town. Alabama 20/Alternate U.S. 72 continues west towards The Shoals, after the Beltline begins in the vicinity of the Solutia plant. 6th Avenue continues southward where it eventually intersects with Beltline Road. After that intersection, 6th Avenue continues southward to Birmingham as Decatur Highway.

The Beltline was built as a western bypass to relieve congestion on 6th Avenue. In doing so, however, this created another problem as sprawl quickly developed along the new arterial. Construction is currently under way to widen the road from four to six lanes with the project expected to be completed by 2010.

Rank Intersection Traffic Per Day
1 6th Avenue (US 31)
Alabama 20
Alternate US 72		 45,290
2 The Beltline (AL 67)
Spring Avenue SW		 38,000
3 6th Avenue (US 31)
Stratford Road SE		 34,000
4 PT Mallard Parkway (AL 67)
Interstate 65		 32,000
5 The Beltline
Betty Street
Westmead Street		 31,000

Plans are also under way to construct a controlled access beltway from Interstate 65 south of the city to Alternate U.S. 72 in Lawrence County, known as Veteran's Parkway.

In addition, there are plans to transform Alabama Highway 20/Alternate US 72 into an extension of Interstate 565 into the city. Governor Bob Riley has said he will make sure that plans for the road will be put on the fast track, since more than 85 vehicle accidents occur on Highway 20's final approach into Decatur each year.[5]

The Decatur City School System is well regarded throughout the nation. Both of the city's high schools (Decatur High School and Austin High School) have been awarded the Safe Schools Award for the past two years that it has been presented in the State of Alabama. The two schools are the only ones in the state to have won this award both years. With the addition of the International Baccalaureate Program to Austin and Decatur High Schools, Decatur has become the first Alabama school system north of Birmingham and one of five in the state to offer the honors program for juniors and seniors (as of July 2006).

All high school football and soccer teams compete in the 9,000 seat Ogle Stadium. Indoor track meets are held at the 10,000 seat Racking Horse World Celebration Arena.

However, both Austin and Decatur failed to make adequate yearly progress in 2006 as mandated in the No Child Left Behind Act. The state said Austin's 86 percent graduation rate was four points too low.

Decatur High missed in two categories: percent of special education students the system tested in reading and percent tested in math. The graduate rate was 76 percent. However, the graduation rate is unreliable since students who move to different schools are considered "dropouts" and this drastically distorts the figures of how many students actually graduate.

The only institution of higher education located within the Decatur city limits is Calhoun Community College. It has three campuses; the main campus is located just north of the city on Highway 31.


  • The River City - So named because of the Tennessee River that flows on the northern edge of town and that inspires festivals and culture in the city.
  • The Chicago of the South - Given to Decatur after Delano Park was created following President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's visit to Decatur after the creation of TVA, because the city was to be, and is, a hub for the commercial activity that followed TVA's introduction to the Tennessee Valley.
  • "Ballooning Capital of Alabama" - Bestowed by the Alabama Legislature because of the annual Alabama Jubilee, which brings over 70 hot air balloons to Point Mallard Park.
  • The Heart of the Valley - Because of Decatur's location at the very center of the Alabama portion of the Tennessee River and Tennessee Valley.
  • "Home of America's First Wave Pool" - Decatur is home to the first wave pool ever built in the United States at the popular Point Mallard Aquatic Center.
  • "Home of Meow Mix" - Decatur is home to one of the Meow Mix production facilities, and a sign reading "Decatur: Home of Meow Mix" is visible on one of the city's buildings from the Tennessee River bridge.
  • D-Rock - nickname given by high school students inside Decatur. Many people outside of Decatur also refer to the city with this nickname.[6]

  1. ^ a b Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places in Alabama, Listed Alphabetically: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006 (CSV). 2007 Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division (June 28, 2007). Retrieved on June 28, 2007.
  2. ^ FTC Gives Approval. Decatur Daily Newspaper (10-03-2006).
  3. ^ Festivals and celebrations. Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau (2006).
  4. ^ Rivers, rails, roads, and air. Decatur Daily Newspaper (2006-10-01).
  5. ^ 3-year transit plan. Decatur Daily Newspaper (06-05-2005).
  6. ^ The overcome negatives, focus on positives. Decatur Daily Newspaper (06-28-2006).

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Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area
Core Cities

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Metropolitan Areas Included Huntsville Metropolitan Area

Decatur Metropolitan Area
Counties

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County seat: Athens
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County seat: Decatur
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