Decatur, TN

Tennessee

Decatur is a small town in Tennessee with a population of 1,860. Residents earn $48,203 per year, which is 36% below the national average.

2.2 /5.0
C Fair
1,860 Population 489/sq mi density
$48,203 Median Income $26,271 per capita
$218,800 Home Value $261,385 Zillow
$821 Median Rent
58°F Avg Temperature
511 Violent Crime/100K 2,939 property/100K
C
Overall
2.2 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.7 / 5.0
$48,203 median income, 10.3% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.1 / 5.0
$218,800 home value, $821/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
511 violent crimes/100K (35% above avg)
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
10.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $48,203
36% lower than US avg
Home Value $218,800
22% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 511/100K
35% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.5%
69% lower than US avg
Median Rent $821
29% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.4%
29% higher than US avg
Unemployment 10.3%
186% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 28.1%
127% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,860
Median Age42.0 yrs
Density489/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 90%

Economy

D
Median Income$48,203
Per Capita$26,271
Unemployment10.3%
Poverty28.1%
County GDP$353M
Commute24 min

Housing

A
Home Value$218,800
Rent$821
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$261,385

Crime

F
Violent511/100K
Property2,939/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault447/100K
Burglary511/100K

Health

Obesity41.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression33.3%
Heart Disease7.2%

Climate

Avg Temp58°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain57.6 in/yr
Elevation898 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.5%
High School+76.0%
School Score5.25

Community

2024 VoteR 83% / D 16%
Commute24 min
Libraries1

Is Decatur a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Decatur receives an overall livability score of 2.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Decatur has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Decatur is $48,203, 36% below the national average of $75,149. At 10.3%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 28.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Decatur is $218,800, 22% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $821 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 511 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,939 per 100,000, 50% above the national average.

Education

10.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 76.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Decatur enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F. Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 57.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Decatur has a population of 1,860 with a density of 489 people per square mile. The median age is 42.0 years, 8% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90%), with 1.5% Hispanic, 3.5% Black.

Population

1,860
Total Population
489
People / sq mi
42.0yrs
Median Age
8% above US avg
3.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.7%
Female 53.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Decatur vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.4%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.6%
88% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Decatur vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Decatur is $48,203, which is 36% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 10.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 28.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Decatur vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,203
36% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,271
Avg Weekly Wage$1,073
IRS Avg AGI$64,448

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment10.3%
186% above US avg
Poverty Rate28.1%
127% above US avg
Establishments (County)164
County GDP$353M

Business (County)

Restaurants15
Healthcare8
Retail28
Manufacturing13

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,700
23% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.23%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.9 min
Work from Home1.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Decatur is $218,800, 22% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $821 (29% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $261,385.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$218,800
22% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$261,385

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$821
29% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$724
1 Bedroom$736
2 Bedrooms$925
3 Bedrooms$1,286
4 Bedrooms$1,289

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied55.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,700
23% below US avg
Effective Rate1.23%
In Decatur, 41.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 33.3% report depression. 31.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.4%
29% above US avg
Diabetes12.9%
Heart Disease7.2%
High Blood Pressure38.9%
Asthma11.9%
COPD10.8%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.6%
Physical Inactivity31.0%
Depression33.3%
Mental Distress23.8%
Physical Distress17.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.2%
Checkup Rate74.6%
Premature Death17,657/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access4.2%
Healthcare Facilities8
Decatur has a violent crime rate of 511 per 100,000 residents, 35% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,939 per 100,000 (50% 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 Violent511.2/100K
35% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape63.9/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault447.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,939.3/100K
50% above US avg
Burglary511.2/100K
Theft1,916.9/100K
Vehicle Theft511.2/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Decatur has an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 57.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average58.4°F
8% above US avg
January Average38°F (3°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall57.6 inches
52% above US avg
Snowfall3.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation898 ft (274 m)
Area3.8 sq mi (9.8 km²)
Population Density489/sq mi
Coordinates35.5291°N, 84.7933°W
County FIPS47121
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 10.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (69% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 67.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 83.4%
D 15.9%

Winner: Republican by 67.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.5%
69% below US avg
High School+76.0%
School Test Score5.25
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density489/sq mi
Total Area3.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities8
Restaurants15
Retail Stores28

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.9 min
Work from Home1.5%

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