Decatur, MI

Michigan · Metropolitan Area

Decatur is a small town in Michigan with a population of 1,814. Residents earn $58,281 per year, which is 22% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,814 Population 1,344/sq mi density
$58,281 Median Income $28,168 per capita
$121,900 Home Value $209,370 Zillow
$779 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
901 Violent Crime/100K 3,491 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$58,281 median income, 4.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$121,900 home value, $779/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
901 violent crimes/100K (137% above avg)
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
14.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $58,281
22% lower than US avg
Home Value $121,900
57% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 901/100K
137% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.3%
58% lower than US avg
Median Rent $779
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.9%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.1%
14% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.3%
31% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,814
Median Age34.5 yrs
Density1,344/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 83%

Economy

B
Median Income$58,281
Per Capita$28,168
Unemployment4.1%
Poverty16.3%
County GDP$20,706M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$121,900
Rent$779
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$209,370

Crime

F
Violent901/100K
Property3,491/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault563/100K
Burglary901/100K

Health

Obesity39.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.5%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain41.1 in/yr
Elevation790 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.3%
High School+86.4%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 40% / D 58%
Commute25 min
Libraries14

Is Decatur a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Decatur receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Decatur has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Decatur is $58,281, 22% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.1%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 16.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Decatur is $121,900, 57% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $779 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 901 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,491 per 100,000, 78% above the national average.

Education

14.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 86.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Decatur experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.1 inches, including 109.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Decatur has a population of 1,814 with a density of 1,344 people per square mile. The median age is 34.5 years, 11% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (83%), with 4.4% Hispanic, 2.7% Black.

Population

1,814
Total Population
1,344
People / sq mi
34.5yrs
Median Age
11% below US avg
1.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.2%
Female 49.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Decatur vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only91.9%
17% above US avg
Spanish8.1%
40% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Decatur vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Decatur is $58,281, which is 22% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 16.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Decatur vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$58,281
22% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,168
Avg Weekly Wage$1,264
IRS Avg AGI$82,017

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.1%
14% above US avg
Poverty Rate16.3%
31% above US avg
Establishments (County)5,972
County GDP$20,706M

Business (County)

Restaurants579
Healthcare749
Retail848
Manufacturing295

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,471
113% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.13%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.2 min
Work from Home4.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Decatur is $121,900, 57% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $779 (33% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $209,370.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$121,900
57% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$209,370

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$779
33% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$807
1 Bedroom$891
2 Bedrooms$1,113
3 Bedrooms$1,419
4 Bedrooms$1,588

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied75.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,471
113% above US avg
Effective Rate6.13%
In Decatur, 39.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 29.5% report depression. 27.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.9%
24% above US avg
Diabetes11.0%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure33.0%
Asthma12.2%
COPD8.3%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.1%
Physical Inactivity27.5%
Depression29.5%
Mental Distress20.6%
Physical Distress15.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.4%
Checkup Rate77.5%
Premature Death7,811/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access91.7%
Healthcare Facilities749
Decatur has a violent crime rate of 901 per 100,000 residents, 137% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,491 per 100,000 (78% 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 Violent900.9/100K
137% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape337.8/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault563.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,491.0/100K
78% above US avg
Burglary900.9/100K
Theft2,533.8/100K
Vehicle Theft56.3/100K
Arson56.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)31

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Decatur has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average48.6°F
10% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.1 inches
8% above US avg
Snowfall109.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation790 ft (241 m)
Area1.4 sq mi (3.5 km²)
Population Density1,344/sq mi
Coordinates42.1077°N, 85.9750°W
County FIPS26077
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 14.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (58% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 17.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 40.3%
D 58%

Winner: Democrat by 17.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.3%
58% below US avg
High School+86.4%
School Test Score5.23
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,344/sq mi
Total Area1.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries14
Healthcare Facilities749
Restaurants579
Retail Stores848

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)31
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.2 min
Work from Home4.3%

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