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CITY

Decatur

Tennessee · 1,637 residents (2025 est.) · 3.796 sq mi
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The short version

Decatur has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $42,578. Population has grown 36% since 2000. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $220,900. The poverty rate of 34.3% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 39% less than the Tennessee median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 73%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,898
+36%since 2000
from 1,395 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
500 / sq mi
+36%since 2000
from 367 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.4
+9%since 2000
from 38.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,637 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K2K2K2K1990201020202024Decatur
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,578
−21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,402 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,771
+32%since 2000
from $18,784 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
26.7%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 21.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
34.3%
+19.1 ptssince 2000
from 15.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.477
−17%since 2010
from 0.578 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade19.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Information15.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade14.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance6.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Other services6%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Professional, scientific, technical3.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services3.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$220,900
+73%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $70,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$847
+32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $352 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
57.7%
−8.9 ptssince 2000
from 66.6% in 2000
42.3% rent
Vacancy rate
7.6%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.7%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
33.6%
+12.4 ptssince 2009
from 21.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.2
+117%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
57
RELATED:See current rent listings in Decatur on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.9%(1,366)
Black0.9%(13)
Hispanic / Latino0.3%(4)
Asian0.3%(4)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.7%(52)
2024
White, non-Hispanic91.3%(1,733)
Black2.8%(53)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(18)
Asian0%(0)
Other5%(94)
Diversity Score20.4%(387)
Diversity Score
20
+444%since 2000
from 4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.1%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 9.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
81.6%
+18.0 ptssince 2000
from 63.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.7%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 2.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.2 min
+43%since 2000
from 17.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
81.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 81.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.1%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 8.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.3%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
3.3%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
5.9%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 6.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.0%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
23.1%
+17.6 ptssince 2011
from 5.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
48.3%
−4.7 ptssince 2011
from 53.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.4%
−7.8 ptssince 2009
from 19.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
20.0%
−35.8 ptssince 2009
from 55.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.7%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 45.4% in 2009
Female
54.3%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 54.6% in 2009
Foreign born
1.1%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.8%
−33.9 ptssince 2009
from 42.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
25.3%
+3.1 ptssince 2012
from 22.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
12.3%
−77.0 ptssince 2013
from 89.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.3%
+33.3 ptssince 2017
from 55.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.5%
−1.7 ptssince 2016
from 99.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.5%
+2.2 ptssince 2016
from 0.3% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Decatur, Tennessee?

Decatur, Tennessee has about 1,898 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Decatur, Tennessee?

The typical household in Decatur, Tennessee earns about $42,578 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Decatur, Tennessee expensive?

In Decatur, Tennessee, the median home is worth about $220,900, and the typical rent is about $847 a month.

How educated are people in Decatur, Tennessee?

About 11.1% of adults age 25 and over in Decatur, Tennessee hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Decatur, Tennessee?

About 34.3% of people in Decatur, Tennessee live below the federal poverty line.

Has Decatur, Tennessee grown since 1990?

Yes, Decatur, Tennessee has grown since 1990. The population has added about 537 residents, a change of about 39 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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