Decatur, NE

Nebraska

Decatur is a small town in Nebraska with a population of 552. Residents earn $49,028 per year, which is 35% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
552 Population 541/sq mi density
$49,028 Median Income $32,078 per capita
$78,800 Home Value $141,101 Zillow
$433 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$49,028 median income, 8.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$78,800 home value, $433/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $49,028
35% lower than US avg
Home Value $78,800
72% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.3%
61% lower than US avg
Median Rent $433
63% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.5%
32% higher than US avg
Unemployment 8.0%
122% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.4%
16% lower than US avg

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

People

Population552
Median Age50.5 yrs
Density541/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

C+
Median Income$49,028
Per Capita$32,078
Unemployment8.0%
Poverty10.4%
County GDP$605M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$78,800
Rent$433
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$141,101

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity42.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.1%
Heart Disease6.1%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain29.9 in/yr
Elevation1,062 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.3%
High School+92.4%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 53% / D 46%
Commute26 min
Libraries2

Is Decatur a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Decatur receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, 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 $49,028, 35% below the national average of $75,149. At 8.0%, unemployment is notably high. 10.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Decatur is $78,800, 72% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $433 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

13.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Decatur experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 29.9 inches, including 31.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Decatur has a population of 552 with a density of 541 people per square mile. The median age is 50.5 years, 30% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.1%), with 8.9% Hispanic.

Population

552
Total Population
541
People / sq mi
50.5yrs
Median Age
30% above US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.3%
Female 50.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Decatur vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.2%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.8%
87% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Decatur vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Decatur is $49,028, which is 35% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 8.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 10.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Decatur vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$49,028
35% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,078
Avg Weekly Wage$1,106
IRS Avg AGI$58,733

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment8.0%
122% above US avg
Poverty Rate10.4%
16% below US avg
Establishments (County)164
County GDP$605M

Business (County)

Restaurants4
Healthcare11
Retail17
Manufacturing5

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,840
10% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.87%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.4 min
Work from Home5.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Decatur is $78,800, 72% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $433 (63% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $141,101.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$78,800
72% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$141,101

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$433
63% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$706
1 Bedroom$791
2 Bedrooms$1,001
3 Bedrooms$1,274
4 Bedrooms$1,409

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied77.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,840
10% above US avg
Effective Rate4.87%
In Decatur, 42.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.1% report depression. 29.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.5%
32% above US avg
Diabetes10.8%
Heart Disease6.1%
High Blood Pressure33.8%
Asthma9.7%
COPD7.1%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.0%
Physical Inactivity29.3%
Depression19.1%
Mental Distress16.7%
Physical Distress13.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate79.6%
Checkup Rate72.4%
Premature Death27,026/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access40.3%
Healthcare Facilities11

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Decatur has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 29.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 74°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average48.5°F
10% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average74°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall29.9 inches
21% below US avg
Snowfall31.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,062 ft (324 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density541/sq mi
Coordinates42.0059°N, 96.2483°W
County FIPS31173
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 13.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (61% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 6.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 53%
D 46.1%

Winner: Republican by 6.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.3%
61% below US avg
High School+92.4%
School Test Score5.81
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density541/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities11
Restaurants4
Retail Stores17

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.4 min
Work from Home5.2%

Nearby Cities

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