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Decatur, AL

Frequently asked questions

Decatur, AL

Decatur is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County (with a portion also in Limestone County) in the U.S. state of Alabama. Nicknamed "The River City", it is located in northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. The population in 2020 was 57,938. Decatur is the core city of the two-county large Decatur metropolitan area, which had an estimated population of 156,494 in 2020. Combined with the Huntsville Metropolitan Area, the two create the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area, of which Decatur is the second-largest city.

Like many southern cities in the early 19th century, Decatur's early success was based upon its location along a river. Railroad routes and boating traffic pushed the city to the front of North Alabama's economic atmosphere. The city rapidly grew into a large economic center within the Tennessee Valley and was a hub for travelers and cargo between Nashville and Mobile, as well as Chattanooga and New Orleans. Throughout the 20th century, the city experienced steady growth, but was eclipsed as the regional economic center by fast-growing Huntsville during the space race. Decatur now finds its economy heavily based on manufacturing, mining, cargo transit, chemical, and high-tech companies such as Vulcan Materials, Daikin, Toray, and United Launch Alliance.

Initially, the area was known as "Rhodes Ferry Landing", named for Dr. Henry W. Rhodes, an early landowner who operated a ferry that crossed the Tennessee River in the 1810s at the present-day location of Rhodes Ferry Park. The city was incorporated as Decatur in 1821. It was named in honor of Stephen Decatur; after he was killed in a duel in 1820, President Monroe directed that the Alabama town be named for him.

One of the major contributors to the city's economic landscape is the Manufacturing Sector, with industries such as aerospace, automotive, and chemicals playing a significant role. The city's strategic location, accessibility, and well-established infrastructure make it an attractive destination for businesses.

Decatur places a strong emphasis on health and wellness. Decatur Morgan Hospital, a leading healthcare facility in the region, provides comprehensive medical services to residents. The city promotes a healthy lifestyle through various fitness initiatives and community wellness programs. There are wellness facilities such as Southern Wellness, which provides holistic wellness services including massage therapy, yoga classes, and nutritional consultations. Decatur Healing Arts is an integrative wellness center offering acupuncture, chiropractic care, and therapeutic massage. The ReVive Medical Spa & Wellness Center combines medical spa treatments with wellness services like nutrition counseling and fitness programs. Roots Family Chiropractic, provides chiropractic care, massage therapy, and wellness workshops for whole-body health. 

Top sites in Decatur, AL are Cook Museum of Natural Science, Point Mallard Park, and Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.

Population: 58,321 (2023). ZIP code: 35600. Area code: 256. Elevation: 594 ft (181 m). Area: 60.86 sq mi (157.63 km2).

FAQs

Is Decatur, AL rural?

The Decatur, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area is a moderately urban region of North-Central Alabama. The metropolitan area is the combined area of the City of Decatur and the surrounding areas in suburban, rural, and more developed parts of Morgan and Lawrence Counties. The Decatur Metropolitan Area is a part of the Huntsville-Decatur CSA. With Huntsville and Madison being the other Principal cities in the CSA.

Is Decatur, AL a town or city?

The first European settlers began moving into the area that is now DeKalb County in the early 1820s. A majority of the early settlers were farmers or skilled tradesmen of English, Scottish, and Irish ancestry. Migrating from other parts of Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia, they settled mainly on medium-to-small farms, and the area in what is now DeKalb County was rural and sparsely populated. In 1822, the Georgia General Assembly designated a site for a new courthouse in the newly-established DeKalb County on the site of the current Old Courthouse on the Square. On December 10, 1823, the General Assembly incorporated the City of Decatur. 

What are some fun facts about Decatur, AL?

The first wave pool in the United States was built in Decatur and is still in operation at the Point Mallard Aquatic Center. The city has the largest Victorian-era home district in the state of Alabama. Decatur is also home to Alabama's oldest opera house, the Cotaco Opera House, which still stands on Johnston Street. The Old State Bank, on the edge of downtown, is the oldest bank building in the State of Alabama, being 173 years old.

Sources

City of Decatur

Wikipedia

Kids Kiddle

Decatur 

Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area

Cook Museum of Natural Science

Point Mallard Park

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

Decatur Morgan Hospital

Southern Wellness

Decatur Healing Arts

ReVive Medical Spa & Wellness Center

Roots Family Chiropractic

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