Learn More About Decatur, Georgia
With a population of a little over 20,000 people, Decatur is a city in the Dekalb County, Georgia. As part of the Atlanta Metropolitan Area, it is considered an intown suburb of Atlanta filled with historic sites and points of interest.
Founded in 1822, Decatur developed from the intersection of two Native American trails - the Sandtown which led east from the Chattahoochee River at Utoy Creek, and the Shallowford which follows today's Clairmont Road and eventually is crossed near Roswell. The town was named after Naval Officer Stephen Decatur and, during the American Civil War, it became a strategic site in Sherman's campaign against Atlanta.
In the last half of the 20th century, Decatur became part of the Metropolitan Area of Atlanta and, recently has started to thrive economically again, due to several long-term downtown development plans that have come to fruition. That has made Decatur a trendy small town with easy transit to downtown Atlanta. Over the past twenty years, the city has become a great spot for those that need to commute to Atlanta, but still want to live in the peace and quiet of a small town without giving up the luxury of a big city.
With hot, dry summers and cold winters, Decatur is an excellent spot for art and festivals, with a thriving cultural scene. Some of the most famous festivals that happen throughout the year include the Decatur Arts Festival, Decatur Stirs, Decatur Beach Party, Decatur BBQ, Blues & Bluegrass Festival, the Decatur Book Festival, the Decatur Maker Faire, The Decatur Beer Festival and the Decatur Wine Festival. The town is also a hotspot for gastronomy and has been named one of South’s tastiest towns.
However, the cost of living in this bustling small town is a little high, with an average of 35% higher than the average city in the United States. The median annual income per household is approximately $74,000, which is higher than the average, when compared to other cities in the country.
When it comes to education, Decatur has an extensive system, especially considering it’s a small population. The town has a pre-K early childhood learning center, five elementary schools, like the Oakhurst Elementary and Winnona Park Elementary, a fourth and fifth grade academy, a middle school, and a high school. It also has five higher education institutions, including Devry University and Georgia State University Perimeter College.
