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Decatur, GA

Frequently asked questions

Decatur, GA

Decatur is a city in, and the county seat of, DeKalb County, Georgia, United States, part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. With a population of 24,928 in the 2020 census, the municipality is sometimes assumed to be larger since multiple ZIP Codes in unincorporated DeKalb County bear Decatur as the address. The city is served by three MARTA rail stations (Decatur, East Lake, and Avondale).

The city is located approximately five miles (eight kilometers) northeast of Downtown Atlanta and shares its western border with both the city of Atlanta (the Kirkwood and Lake Claire neighborhoods) and unincorporated DeKalb County. The Druid Hills neighborhood is to the northwest of Decatur.

Before European settlement, the Decatur area was largely forested (a remnant of old-growth forest near Decatur is preserved as Fernbank Forest). Decatur was established at 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 crossed near Roswell. A site for the DeKalb County courthouse was designated in 1822 in what would become downtown Decatur; the city of Decatur was incorporated on December 10, 1823. It was named for United States Navy Commodore Stephen Decatur.

In the second half of the twentieth century, the metropolitan area of Atlanta expanded into unincorporated DeKalb County, eventually surrounding two sides of the town of Decatur. Concurrently many citizens fled the area to more distant suburbs. The 1960s and 1970s witnessed dramatic drops in property values. However, more recently the city has regained economic vigor, partially thanks to several long-term downtown development plans that have come to fruition, making Decatur a trendy small mixed-use district with easy transit to downtown Atlanta. Over the past twenty years, it has gained a local and national reputation as a progressive city with a high level of citizen involvement.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.2 square miles (11 square kilometers), all land. The Eastern Continental Divide bisects the city along the CSX (formerly Georgia Railroad) trackage right of way.

Decatur places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Emory Decatur Hospital stands as a cornerstone of the community, offering a range of medical services to ensure the well-being of its residents. For a comprehensive fitness experience, check out Decatur Recreation Center, which offers various fitness classes and sports programs. Enhance your yoga practice at Highland Yoga, known for its serene environment and expert instructors. For those seeking outdoor activities, Chalfont Family Chiropractic offers holistic treatments to enhance physical health and alleviate pain. For a holistic approach to health, visit Seva Yoga, which combines yoga, meditation, and wellness workshops. Explore Club Pilates for specialized Pilates classes that improve core strength and posture. Acupuncture Center of Decatur provides traditional Chinese medicine treatments to balance your body’s energy.

Top sites in Decatur, GA are DeKalb History Center Museum, Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve, and Glenlake Park.

Population: 24,307 (2023). Elevation: 1,020 ft (311 m). Area: 4.60 sq mi (11.92 km²). ZIP codes: 30030, 30032, 30033. Area code(s): 404, 678, 470.

FAQs

Is Decatur, GA a good place to live?

Decatur is in DeKalb County and is one of the best places to live in Georgia. Living in Decatur offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents own their homes. In Decatur, there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Decatur and residents tend to lean liberal. The public schools in Decatur are highly rated.

Why is Decatur, GA famous?

Named after Stephen Decatur, a 19th-century U.S. Naval hero, Decatur retains a strong connection to its history, while preparing for the future with managed growth and responsible development. Decatur maintains its own identity while forging bonds with other communities locally, nationally, and internationally. Other U.S. cities and counties named Decatur participate in some of our festivities. We are a member of Sister Cities International. 

Is Decatur, GA expensive?

With a cost of living index of 101.6, living expenses in Decatur are only 1% higher than the national average. This is still relatively affordable. The Economic Policy Institute estimates that a family of four in Decatur will require an annual income of $66,000 to get by comfortably. The city’s median home price is  $324,271, which is lower than the national average. Rent for apartments in Decatur ranges from around $600 to $3,915 a month.

Sources

City of Decatur

Wikipedia

Home and Money

Niche

DeKalb History Center Museum

Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve

Glenlake Park

Emory Decatur Hospital

Decatur Recreation Central

Highland Yoga

Chalfont Family Chiropractic

Club Pilates

Acupuncture Center of Decatur

Seva Yoga

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.