Decatur (/dəˈkeɪtər/) is a city in Georgia, United States. It is the main city of DeKalb County. Decatur is part of the larger Atlanta metropolitan area.

In 2020, about 24,928 people lived in Decatur. Sometimes, people think the city is bigger because many nearby areas use "Decatur" in their address. The city is served by three MARTA train stations. These are Decatur, East Lake, and Avondale stations. Decatur is about 5 miles (8 km) northeast of Downtown Atlanta. It shares its western border with Atlanta and other parts of DeKalb County.

Discovering Decatur's Past

Early Beginnings

Before European settlers arrived, the Decatur area was mostly covered in forests. You can still see a piece of this old forest at Fernbank Forest. Decatur was founded where two Native American trails met. These trails were the Sandtown and the Shallowford.

In 1822, a spot was chosen for the DeKalb County courthouse. This spot became downtown Decatur. The city of Decatur officially became a city on December 10, 1823. It was named after United States Navy Commodore Stephen Decatur. The first settlers were farmers and skilled workers, mostly from England, Scotland, and Ireland.

Decatur During the Civil War

During the American Civil War, Decatur became an important place for Sherman's army. This was part of the Atlanta Campaign. In July 1864, Major-General James McPherson took over the town. He wanted to cut off the Confederates' supply lines from Augusta.

On July 22, during the Battle of Atlanta, Confederate soldiers attacked McPherson's supply wagons. Union troops were left to defend these wagons. A historical marker at the old courthouse shows where this fight happened.

The 20th Century and Today

In the second half of the 1900s, the Atlanta area grew. It expanded into the county around Decatur. For a while, property values in Decatur went down. However, the city has become strong again. This is thanks to plans that made downtown Decatur a lively place. It's now a popular area with shops, restaurants, and easy train access to Atlanta. Decatur is known as a forward-thinking city where citizens are very involved.

Decatur's Location and Areas

Where is Decatur?

Decatur covers about 4.2 square miles (11 square kilometers) of land. It is next to Avondale Estates to the southeast. It borders Atlanta to the southwest. Other parts of DeKalb County surround it elsewhere.

An interesting fact is that the Eastern Continental Divide runs through the city. This divide separates rivers that flow to the Atlantic Ocean from those that flow to the Gulf of Mexico.

Neighborhoods and Historic Spots

Decatur has many unique neighborhoods and historic areas. Some of these include:

Adair Park
South Candler Street-Agnes Scott College Historic District
Chelsea Heights
Clairemont - Great Lakes and Clairemont Historic District
Decatur Heights
Downtown Decatur
Glennwood Estates
MAK Historic District
Midway Woods
Oakhurst
Ponce de Leon Heights
Winnona Park Historic District

People of Decatur

Decatur has grown a lot over the years. In 1840, about 530 people lived here. By 2020, the population had grown to 24,928 people. The city is a diverse place. In 2020, most residents were White (about 67%). About 15% were Black or African American, and about 5% were Asian. Around 5% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

Learning in Decatur

Schools for All Ages

Decatur High School

The City Schools of Decatur serves students living within the city limits. It includes a pre-kindergarten center, five elementary schools, two upper elementary schools, a middle school, and one high school. Decatur High School is the only high school in the district. The district has over 4,400 students and more than 200 teachers.

The DeKalb County School District serves students in the areas outside the city limits. There are also private schools like St. Thomas More School.

Colleges and Universities

Decatur is home to several colleges and universities. These include:

Agnes Scott College
Columbia Theological Seminary
Georgia State University's Perimeter College
DeVry University
Emory University is also nearby, just northwest of Decatur.

Public Libraries

The DeKalb County Public Library system has a branch in Decatur. This branch also serves as the main headquarters for the entire DeKalb County library system.

Fun and Culture in Decatur

Festivals, Events, and Arts

Decatur is a lively city with lots of art and festivals. The Decatur Arts Alliance puts on the Decatur Arts Festival every May. They also display public art and support art education.

Decatur hosts the yearly AJC Decatur Book Festival. It's one of the biggest independent book festivals in the United States. Many famous authors attend, and it attracts thousands of people.

If you like live music, Eddie's Attic in Decatur has shows almost every night. The city is famous for its many festivals. These include the Decatur BBQ, Blues & Bluegrass Festival, the Decatur Maker's Faire, and the Decatur Craft Beer Festival. There are also parades, concerts, and races throughout the year.

Food Scene

Decatur is well-known for its amazing food. In 2012, it was called one of the South's "Tastiest Towns." The New York Times even called it "Atlanta's gastronomic equivalent of Berkeley or Brooklyn" in 2016.

Interesting Places to Visit

The Decatur Square gazebo from the old courthouse steps.

Decatur's downtown and neighborhoods have many historic buildings and cool places to see. Many of these are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

South Candler Street-Agnes Scott College Historic District: This area includes the college and old homes.
Columbia Theological Seminary: A beautiful campus with brick and limestone buildings.
Decatur Cemetery: A historic cemetery founded in the early 1800s.
Glenwood Elementary: The oldest school in the city.
Historic Oakhurst: A charming area with its own business district and old bungalows.
MAK Historic District: Known for its early 1900s American Craftsman-style homes.
Old Scottish Rite Hospital: This old hospital now has restaurants and an art gallery.
Woodlands Garden: A 7-acre garden focused on native plants, open to the public.

Getting Around Decatur

Roads and Highways

Decatur is located inside the I-285 highway loop. Major roads like U.S. Route 78 and U.S. Route 278 pass through the city.

Public Transportation

Decatur has excellent public transportation. The MARTA train system serves the city with three stations:

Avondale MARTA Station
Decatur MARTA Station
East Lake MARTA Station

Walking and Biking

Decatur is great for walking and biking. The PATH Foundation has several trails here, including:

Stone Mountain Trail
Decatur PATH
East Decatur Greenway

Famous People from Decatur

Many well-known people have connections to Decatur:

B.o.B. - a rapper, singer, and songwriter
Harrison Butker - an NFL placekicker for the Kansas City Chiefs
Rebecca Latimer Felton - the first woman Senator
Omari Hardwick - an actor
Keri Hilson - a singer and actress
Jan Hooks - an actor and comedian
Joshilyn Jackson - an author
DeForest Kelley - an actor, famous for Star Trek
China Anne McClain - an actress and singer
Amy Ray - a singer and songwriter from the Indigo Girls
Michael Stipe - the lead singer of the band R.E.M.
Jordan Walker - an MLB outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals

Sister Cities

Decatur has three "sister cities" around the world. This means they have special friendly relationships:

Decatur, Georgia facts for kids

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