Decatur, IN

Indiana

Decatur is a small city in Indiana with a population of 9,769. Residents earn $58,867 per year, which is 22% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
9,769 Population 1,601/sq mi density
$58,867 Median Income $29,760 per capita
$132,900 Home Value $225,265 Zillow
$804 Median Rent
51°F Avg Temperature
53 Violent Crime/100K 2,028 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$58,867 median income, 1.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$132,900 home value, $804/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
53 violent crimes/100K (86% below avg)
C
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $58,867
22% lower than US avg
Home Value $132,900
53% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 53/100K
86% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.7%
62% lower than US avg
Median Rent $804
31% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.2%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.2%
67% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 5.9%
52% lower than US avg

How Decatur Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population9,769
Median Age43.6 yrs
Density1,601/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 90%

Economy

A
Median Income$58,867
Per Capita$29,760
Unemployment1.2%
Poverty5.9%
County GDP$2,318M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$132,900
Rent$804
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$225,265

Crime

F
Violent53/100K
Property2,028/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault42/100K
Burglary212/100K

Health

Obesity42.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.4%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain40.6 in/yr
Elevation801 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+12.7%
High School+94.3%
School Score6.34

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 23%
Commute23 min
Libraries3

Is Decatur a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Decatur receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Decatur offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Decatur is $58,867, 22% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.2%. Only 5.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Decatur is $132,900, 53% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $804 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Decatur is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 53 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,028 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

12.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.3% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.3/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Decatur experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.6 inches, including 28.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Decatur has a population of 9,769 with a density of 1,601 people per square mile. The median age is 43.6 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90%), with 1.1% Black.

Population

9,769
Total Population
1,601
People / sq mi
43.6yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
6.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.7%
Female 51.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Decatur vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.1%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.9%
86% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Decatur vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Decatur is $58,867, which is 22% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 5.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Decatur vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$58,867
22% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,760
Avg Weekly Wage$951
IRS Avg AGI$70,720

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.2%
67% below US avg
Poverty Rate5.9%
52% below US avg
Establishments (County)786
County GDP$2,318M

Business (County)

Restaurants53
Healthcare56
Retail132
Manufacturing63

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,039
13% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.29%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.4 min
Work from Home2.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Decatur is $132,900, 53% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $804 (31% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $225,265.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$132,900
53% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$225,265
Median List Price$166,400

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$166,400
$/Sq Ft$98
Homes Sold7
Sale-to-List Ratio96.6%
Price Drops22.2%
Inventory18

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$804
31% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$768
1 Bedroom$816
2 Bedrooms$1,071
3 Bedrooms$1,284
4 Bedrooms$1,418

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied73.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,039
13% below US avg
Effective Rate2.29%
In Decatur, 42.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.4% report depression. 26.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Decatur vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.2%
31% above US avg
Diabetes12.0%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure35.1%
Asthma11.7%
COPD8.5%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.3%
Physical Inactivity26.4%
Depression27.4%
Mental Distress19.8%
Physical Distress14.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.0%
Checkup Rate78.1%
Premature Death8,648/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access55.6%
Healthcare Facilities56
Decatur has a violent crime rate of 53 per 100,000 residents, 86% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,028 per 100,000 (3% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Decatur vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent53.1/100K
86% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape10.6/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault42.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,027.8/100K
3% above US avg
Burglary212.3/100K
Theft1,783.6/100K
Vehicle Theft31.9/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Decatur has an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-4°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.7°F
6% below US avg
January Average26°F (-4°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.6 inches
7% above US avg
Snowfall28.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation801 ft (244 m)
Area6.1 sq mi (15.8 km²)
Population Density1,601/sq mi
Coordinates40.8289°N, 84.9278°W
County FIPS18001
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 12.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (62% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 52.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.4%
D 22.8%

Winner: Republican by 52.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.7%
62% below US avg
High School+94.3%
School Test Score6.34
C Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,601/sq mi
Total Area6.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities56
Restaurants53
Retail Stores132

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.4 min
Work from Home2.4%

Nearby Cities

Compare Decatur with another city: