Decatur, Alabama
Nickname: The River City, D-Rock, The Heart of the Valley
Location in Morgan County and the state of Alabama
Coordinates: 34°34′51″N 86°59′0″W / 34.58083, -86.98333
Country	United States
State	Alabama
Counties	Morgan, Limestone
Government
- Mayor	Don Kyle
Area
- City	59.9 sq mi (155.1 km²)
- Land	53.4 sq mi (138.3 km²)
- Water	6.5 sq mi (16.8 km²)
Elevation	561 ft (171 m)
Population (2006)[1]
- City	55,778
- Density	900.3/sq mi (359.62/km²)
- Metro	149,269
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
- Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	35600-35699
Area code(s)	256
FIPS code	01-20104
GNIS feature ID	0117185

Decatur, Alabama (top center), along the Tennessee River, is southwest of Huntsville and north of Birmingham, along Interstate 65. Nearby towns include: Madison, Hartselle and Athens, Alabama.

Decatur is a city in Limestone and Morgan Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The city, known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County.^[2] The estimated population in 2006 was 55,778.^[1] Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2288x1712, 770 KB) Summary Decatur from the Tennessee River Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... EXAMPLE:Laughbox,Blondie,BamBam,Pinkie,etc. ... Morgan County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... This list of countries, arranged alphabetically, gives an overview of countries of the world. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  US Government Portal      The political units and divisions of the United States include: The 50 states... This article is about the U.S. State. ... List of 67 counties in the U.S. state of Alabama: Autauga County Baldwin County Barbour County Bibb County Blount County Bullock County Butler County Calhoun County Chambers County Cherokee County Chilton County Choctaw County Clarke County Clay County Cleburne County Coffee County Colbert County Conecuh County Coosa County Covington... Morgan County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Limestone County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... This article is about the physical quantity. ... For other uses, see City (disambiguation). ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Square kilometre (US spelling: Square kilometer), symbol km², is an SI unit of surface area. ... Elevation histogram of the surface of the Earth – approximately 71% of the Earths surface is covered with water. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... This article is about the unit of length. ... For other uses, see City (disambiguation). ... Population density per square kilometre by country, 2006 Population density map of the world in 1994. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Timezone and TimeZone redirect here. ...  CST or UTC-6 The Central Time Zone observes standard time by subtracting six hours from UTC during standard time (UTC-6) and five hours during daylight saving time (UTC-5). ... −12 | −11 | −10 | −9:30 | −9 | −8 | −7 | −6 | −5 | −4 | −3:30 | −3 | −2:30 | −2 | −1 | −0:25 | UTC (0) | +0:20 | +0:30 | +1 | +2 | +3 | +3:30 | +4 | +4:30 | +4:51 | +5 | +5:30 | +5:40 | +5:45 | +6 | +6:30 | +7 | +7:20 | +7... Although DST is common in Europe and North America, most of the worlds people do not use it. ... -12 | -11 | -10 | -9:30 | -9 | -8 | -7 | -6 | -5 | -4 | -3:30 | -3 | -2:30 | -2 | -1 | -0:25 | UTC (0) | +0:20 | +0:30 | +1 | +2 | +3 | +3:30 | +4 | +4:30 | +4:51 | +5 | +5:30 | +5:40 | +5:45 | +6 | +6:30 | +7 | +7:20 | +7... Mr. ... A telephone numbering plan is a plan for allocating telephone number ranges to countries, regions, areas and exchanges and to non-fixed telephone networks such as mobile phone networks. ... Area code 256 was created on March 23, 1998 as a split from area code 205. ... Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) are publicly announced standards developed by the U.S. Federal government for use by all (non-military) government agencies and by government contractors. ... GNIS (The Geographic Names Information System) contains name and locative information about almost two million physical and cultural features located throughout the United States of America and its Territories. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 362 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (810 × 1340 pixel, file size: 243 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 362 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (810 × 1340 pixel, file size: 243 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... A riverboat passing under the Henley Street Bridge on the Tennessee River. ... Huntsville, Alabama (top center), near the Tennessee border, is north of Birmingham and northeast of Decatur, across the Tennessee River flowing northwest. ... Nickname: Location in Jefferson County in the state of Alabama Coordinates: , Country State Counties Jefferson, Shelby Incorporated December 19, 1871 Government  - Type Mayor - Council  - Mayor Bernard Kincaid (Current) Larry Langford (Mayor-Elect) Area  - City 151. ... Interstate 65 (abbreviated I-65) is an Interstate Highway in the United States. ... Madison is a city located primarily in Madison County, Alabama with a small portion located in Limestone County, Alabama. ... Hartselle is a city located in Morgan County, Alabama. ... Athens is a city in Limestone County, Alabama. ... Limestone County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Morgan County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  US Government Portal      A U.S. state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of... This article is about the U.S. State. ... North Alabama is a region of the U.S. state of Alabama, generally thought to include these 11 counties: Cherokee, Colbert, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, and Winston. ... Wheeler Lake area Wheeler Lake is located in north Alabama between Rogersville and Huntsville. ... A riverboat passing under the Henley Street Bridge on the Tennessee River. ...

Decatur is also the core city of the two-county large Decatur Metropolitan Area which had 149,269 in 2006. Combined with the Huntsville Metropolitan Area, the two create the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area, of which, Decatur is the second largest city. The Decatur Metropolitan Area is a large separate but equal part of the Huntsville-Decatur Metropolitan Area. ... The Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area is the most populated Sub-Region of North Alabama, and is the second fastest growing region in the State of Alabama, with 510,088 living within the CSA. It is also currently the 93rd largest CSA in the country. ...

Like many southern cities in the early 1800s, 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/Chattanooga and Mobile/New Orleans. Throughout the 20th century, the city experienced steady growth, but was eclipsed as the regional economic center by a fast growing Huntsville during the space race. The city now finds its economy heavily based on manufacturing industries, cargo transit, and hi-tech industries such as General Electric, and the United Launch Alliance. North Alabama is a region of the U.S. state of Alabama, generally thought to include these 11 counties: Cherokee, Colbert, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, and Winston. ... The Tennessee Valley is the drainage basin of the Tennessee River and is largely within the U.S. state of Tennessee. ... Nashville redirects here. ... Chattanooga redirects here. ... Nickname: Coordinates: , Country State County Mobile Founded 1702 Incorporated 1814 Government  - Mayor Sam Jones Area  - City 412. ... NOLA redirects here. ... GE redirects here. ... United Launch Alliance is a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. ...

History

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 Albany in the year 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. A riverboat passing under the Henley Street Bridge on the Tennessee River. ... Commodore Stephen Decatur, Jr (5 January 1779 – 22 March 1820) was an American naval officer notable for his heroism in the Barbary Wars and in the War of 1812. ...

Decatur was a very important point in North Alabama during its earliest days. Decatur was the eastern terminus of the Decatur-Courtland-Tuscumbia Railroad (in the late 1820s and early 1830s), the first railway built west of the Appalachian Mountains. North Alabama is a region of the U.S. state of Alabama, generally thought to include these 11 counties: Cherokee, Colbert, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, and Winston. ... Built in 1836, the Decatur-Courtland-Tuscumbia Railroad was the first railroad to be built west of the Appalachian Mountains in the United States. ...

Because of its location on the strategic Memphis & Charleston Railroad, Decatur was the site of several encounters during the American Civil War. All but three buildings were burned down during the 1864 Battle of Decatur, when Decatur was referred to as A Tough Nut To Crack. The three that remained are the Old State Bank, Dancy-Polk House, and the Burleson-Hinds-McEntire House. The Memphis and Charleston Railroad completed in 1857 was the first railroad in the United States to link the Atlantic Ocean with the Mississippi River. ... Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... The Battle of Decatur was fought October 26–29, 1864, as part of the Franklin-Nashville Campaign of the American Civil War. ... The Old State Bank in Decatur, Alabama, United States, opened its doors on July 29, 1833. ...

While the city was under Confederate control, plans for the Battle of Shiloh were mapped out within the Burleson-Hinds-McEntire House. These activities made the house one of the most historic buildings in Decatur. Belligerents United States (Union) CSA (Confederacy) Commanders Ulysses S. Grant, Don Carlos Buell Albert Sidney Johnston â€ , P.G.T. Beauregard Strength Army of West Tennessee (48,894), Army of the Ohio (17,918)[1] Army of Mississippi (44,699)[1] Casualties and losses 13,047: 1,754 killed, 8,408...

New Decatur was a city that rose out of the ashes of former Decatur west of the railroad tracks. New Decatur was founded in 1887 and incorporated in 1889. But residents of the older Decatur resented the new town, founded and occupied by people who moved from the northern states. Animosity built until New Decatur renamed their town Albany, after Albany, N.Y., in September 1916. The impetus to meld the two towns came from the need for a bridge, instead of a ferry, across the Tennessee River. The Decatur Kiwanis Club was formed with an equal number of members from each town to organize efforts to get the state to build the bridge. In 1925, the two cities merged to form one City of Decatur. There is a noticeable difference between the two sides of town. The cities developed differently at different times, and still to this day have somewhat different cultures. Eastern portions of Decatur tend to act more suburban and traditional, while western portions tend to look more metropolitan and contemporary.

The Old State Bank, on the edge of downtown, is the oldest bank building in the State of Alabama, at 173 years old. The first wave pool in the United States was built here and is still in operation at the Point Mallard Aquatic Center. Decatur 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 in Decatur, Alabama, United States, opened its doors on July 29, 1833. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... Template:The Gilmer Blackburn (Point Mallard) Aquatic Center Point Mallard Aquatic Center (Water Park), Decatur, AL Point Mallard Parks Aquatic Center was developed in the early 1970s after Mayor Gilmer Blackburn saw enclosed wave-making swimming pools in Japan and thought one could be a tourist attraction in... The Victorian era of the United Kingdom marked the height of the British Industrial Revolution and the apex of the British Empire. ...

In the past its industries included repair shops of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, car works, engine works, tannery, bottling plants, and manufacturers of lumber, sashes and blinds, fertilizers, cigars, flour, cottonseed oil, and various other products. Chartered by the state of Kentucky in 1850, the L&N, as it was generally known, grew into one of the great success stories of American business. ...

Early Historical Timeline

• Area founded as Rhodes Ferry in 1810s.
• Rhodes Ferry incorporated as Albany in 1821.
• Dancy-Polk House erected in 1829.
• Also in 1829-1830, Decatur became the home to the first railroad ever built west of the Appalachian Mountains Tuscumbia-Courtland-Decatur Railroad.
• Old State Bank erected on July 29, 1833.
• Rhea-McEntire House built in 1836.
• Battle of Decatur takes place during the American Civil War in November, 1864.
• Decatur's Victorian Era Home District built between 1870 and 1910
• New Decatur founded in 1887, incorporated in 1889.
• New Decatur renames itself Albany (although the post office designation is New Albany), 1916
• Princess Theatre built in 1919.
• Albany and New Decatur merge in 1925.
• President Franklin Delano Roosevelt dedicates Delano Park in 1930s.
• TVA brings new business to Decatur through the military, and energy management in the 1930s.

Built in 1836, the Tuscumbia-Courtland-Decatur Railroad (TCDR) was a railroad in Alabama, the United States. ... The Old State Bank in Decatur, Alabama, United States, opened its doors on July 29, 1833. ... is the 210th day of the year (211th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1833 (MDCCCXXXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... The Rhea-McEntire House is located along the shoreline of the Tennessee Rivers Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Alabama. ... The Battle of Decatur was fought October 26–29, 1864, as part of the Franklin-Nashville Campaign of the American Civil War. ... Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... The Victorian era of the United Kingdom marked the height of the British Industrial Revolution and the apex of the British Empire. ... The Princess Theatre, originally contructed as a livery stable in 1887, is now a 677 seat performing arts venue in the city of Decatur, Alabama. ... Franklin Delano Roosevelt (January 30, 1882–April 12, 1945), 32nd President of the United States, the longest-serving holder of the office and the only man to be elected President more than twice, was one of the central figures of 20th century history. ... Stone Delano Park sign The Delano Park is the oldest park in the city of Decatur, Alabama. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

Geography

The Tennessee River has traditionally been the northern border of the city and Morgan County, while Flint Creek and the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge on the east side of the city. The city does extend to the other side of Flint Creek and the Refuge in the Indian Hills and Burningtree subdivision areas. There is also an inlet that extends one mile (1.6 km) into the city limits from Wheeler Lake called Dry Branch. There is also a small portion of Decatur that extends into Limestone County north along the Highway 31 corridor to the Calhoun College area and along Hwy 20 Corridor until it reaches I-65. A riverboat passing under the Henley Street Bridge on the Tennessee River. ... Wheeler Lake area Wheeler Lake is located in north Alabama between Rogersville and Huntsville. ...

The northern portion of Decatur sits on top of a short hill that overlooks the Tennessee River, this creates a very steep dropoff to the river shore a Rhodes Ferry Park. This hill allows the "Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridge to leave the mainland at grade without any major sloping required more height to cross the river while not interfering with Decatur's heavy barge traffic. This hill extends from the banks of the river about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south to the 14th St./Magnolia St. intersection with 6th Avenue (US 31). The Steamboat Bill Memorial Bridges are two bridges that span one of the widest points along the Tennessee River within the City of Decatur, Alabama, between Morgan County, and Limestone County. ... US Highway 31 is a long north-south highway connecting northern Michigan to southern Alabama, with termini at Interstate 75 near Mackinaw City, Michigan, and U.S. Highway 90 and U.S. Highway 98 at Spanish Fort, Alabama. ...

South past the 14th St. and 6th Ave. intersection, land continues to remain flat. South, and also west, past Alabama 67 there are a few minor mountains that sit within the city limits. State Route 67 is a state highway in Alabama that connects the city of Decatur to U.S. Route 231 at Rainbow Crossing in Cullman County. ...

Decatur is located at 34°34′52″N, 86°59′0″W (34.580992, -86.983392)^[3].

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 59.9 square miles (155.1 km²), of which, 53.4 square miles (138.3 km²) of it is land and 6.5 square miles (16.8 km²) of it (10.83%) is water. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. ...

Climate

Decatur experiences a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and a generally mild winter. Temperatures range from 89 °F (31.6 C) in the summer to 49.0 °F (9.4 C) during winter. The city rarely experiences tornadoes during the spring and fall. But, significant severe weather does occur from time to time in the active seasons. The most significant tornado event included the Super Outbreak in 1974, while the city was largely unaffected by the more recent Huntsville, Alabama Tornado in 1989 that killed 21 and injured almost 500. Hurricanes are rare since Decatur sits nearly 300 miles (480 km) inland from the Gulf of Mexico. Though a few tropical systems do track through the central Tennessee Valley, they rarely inflict much damage on the city. Winters usually do not produce much snow; a large amount of snow is rare within the city limits. A small, measurable amount of snow can be experienced a few times each year. The humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and chilly to mild winters. ... This article is about the weather phenomenon. ... 1Time from first tornado to last tornado 2Most severe tornado damage; see Fujita Scale The Super Outbreak is the largest tornado outbreak on record. ... A strong F4 tornado struck Huntsville, Alabama on November 15, 1989, killing 21 people and injuring nearly 500 Huntsville, Alabama, was struck by a deadly tornado around 4:30 pm on Wednesday, November 15, 1989. ... This article is about weather phenomena. ... Gulf of Mexico in 3D perspective. ... The Tennessee Valley is the drainage basin of the Tennessee River and is largely within the U.S. state of Tennessee. ...

Bodies of water

• Wheeler Lake
• Tennessee River
• Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge
• Flint Creek

Wheeler Lake area Wheeler Lake is located in north Alabama between Rogersville and Huntsville. ... A riverboat passing under the Henley Street Bridge on the Tennessee River. ... The Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is a United States National Wildlife Refuge comprising 34,500 acres. ...

Nearby suburbs

• Moulton Heights
• Priceville
• Trinity
• Somerville
• Danville
• Tanner
• Burningtree Mountain
• Caddo
• Hartselle

Moulton Heights is a census-designated place located in Morgan County, Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. ... Priceville is a town located in Morgan County, Alabama. ... Trinity is a town located in Morgan County, Alabama. ... Somerville is a town located in Morgan County, Alabama. ... Danville is a census-designated place in Morgan County, Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. ... Tanner is a small town in central southern Limestone County, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. ... Hartselle is a city in Morgan County, Alabama, about 10 miles (16 km) south of Decatur, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. ...

Neighboring cities/towns

• Hartselle (south) - Morgan County
• Huntsville (northeast) - Limestone/Madison County
• Priceville (east) - Morgan County
• Mooresville (northeast) - Limestone County
• Trinity (northwest) - Morgan County

Hartselle is a city in Morgan County, Alabama, about 10 miles (16 km) south of Decatur, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. ... Huntsville, Alabama (top center), near the Tennessee border, is north of Birmingham and northeast of Decatur, across the Tennessee River flowing northwest. ... Priceville is a town located in Morgan County, Alabama. ... Mooresville is a town in Limestone County, Alabama, U.S., located southeast of the intersection of I-565 and I-65, and north of Wheeler Lake. ... Trinity is a town located in Morgan County, Alabama. ...

Neighborhoods

Decatur is, unofficially, divided into four different regions of town (Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, Southwest). The reason for the existence of these four regions is because of The Beltline. Southeast and Northeast Decatur already existed as parts of town, but were simply thought of as one, as there was a much lower population at that time in the West. Southwest consists mostly of the area bordered by 6th Avenue (US 31), 8th Street W, and Danville Road. Northwest is bordered by Danville Road, Central Parkway, and 14th Street W. This article is about a major thoroughfare in the city of Decatur, Alabama. ... US Highway 31 is a long north-south highway connecting northern Michigan to southern Alabama, with termini at Interstate 75 near Mackinaw City, Michigan, and U.S. Highway 90 and U.S. Highway 98 at Spanish Fort, Alabama. ...

Two halves of town were successfully created in the years following the completion of The Beltline as a bypass. While there are few major cultural differences between the East and the West, minute differences such as street grid patterns, zoning patterns, and architectural styles are noticeable.

Northeast

• Albany
• Downtown Decatur
• New Decatur

Limestone County

• Whiteside
• Irvington

Southeast

• Bayside
• Brookmeade
• Burleson Mountain
• Burningtree Mountain
• Cedar Lake
• Fairview
• Flint
• Hickory Hills
• Indian Hills
• Point Mallard Estates

Northwest

• Moulton Heights
• Oakworth
• West Decatur

Southwest Moulton Heights is a census-designated place located in Morgan County, Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. ...

• Austinville
• Basham
• Brasswell
• Cedar Ridge
• Chapel Hill
• Chula Vista
• Dunbarton
• Griffin Addition
• Longleaf Estates
• Oak Lea
• Russell Village
• Vestavia
• Westmeade

Demographics

As of the census^[4] of 2000, there were 53,929 people, 21,824 households, and 14,753 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,009.7 people per square mile (389.9/km²). There were 23,950 housing units at an average density of 448.4/sq mi (173.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.50% White, 19.56% Black or African American, 0.58% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 2.22% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races. 5.64% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Image:1870 census Lindauer Weber 01. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ...

There were 21,824 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.99. Matrimony redirects here. ...

In the city the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,192, and the median income for a family was $47,574. Males had a median income of $37,108 versus $22,471 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,431. About 11.9% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.2% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over. The per capita income for a group of people may be defined as their total personal income, divided by the total population. ... Map of countries showing percentage of population who have an income below the national poverty line The poverty line is the level of income below which one cannot afford to purchase all the resources one requires to live. ...

• Population

In 1890, 2,765 people lived in Decatur, Alabama; in 1900, 3,114; in 1910, 4,228; and in 1940, 16,604^{[citation needed]}. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city was 53,929. As of the 2006 census estimation, the population was 55,778. The city is the county seat of Morgan County^[2]. In 1900, 4,457 people lived in New Decatur, Alabama; in 1910, 6,118. The two cities have melded. A county seat is a term for an administrative center for a county, primarily used in the United States. ... Morgan County is a county of the State of Alabama. ...

Economy

Decatur has grown to be the busiest river port on the Tennessee River. The Port of Decatur sees large amounts of barge traffic from up and down the Tennessee River, which has led to twenty Fortune 500 companies opening plants in the city. Image File history File links Alabama-map2. ... Image File history File links Alabama-map2. ... Category: ... The Fortune 500 is a ranking of the top 500 United States corporations as measured by gross revenue. ...

Decatur is also known as the "Home of Meow Mix", after the company bought a 200,000-square-foot (19,000 m²) facility in town, and now utilizes its riverfront property to ship the finished product up and down the Tennessee River. Meow Mix Meow Mix is a popular variety of cat food, and is well known for its popular advertising jingle. ...

Being part of the Huntsville-Decatur CSA, the city lies within the region having the most engineers per person in the nation. The Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area is the most populated Sub-Region of North Alabama, and is the second fastest growing region in the State of Alabama, with 510,088 living within the CSA. It is also currently the 93rd largest CSA in the country. ...

A recent BRAC Base realignment will bring a population, conservatively estimated at 5,000–10,000 people (not including their families), to the area surrounding Redstone Arsenal. Redstone Arsenal is a U.S. Army post and a census-designated place (CDP) located next to the city of Huntsville in Madison County, Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. ...

Delta IV Medium launch carrying DSCS III-B6

Approval of the United Launch Alliance combined Lockheed-Martin and Boeing's rocket manufacturing contracts to a central location at the plant in Decatur. All satellite launching rockets used by the U.S. government will be built in Decatur. This approval brought over 230 new jobs to the Decatur area. The ULA plant utilizes the Tennessee River to ship the rockets to Cape Canaveral.^[5] Download high resolution version (1600x2400, 2389 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (1600x2400, 2389 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... United Launch Alliance is a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. ... Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is a leading multinational aerospace manufacturer and advanced technology company formed in 1995 by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta. ... The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA, TYO: 7661) is a major aerospace and defense corporation, originally founded by William Edward Boeing. ... This article is about the area of Florida. ...

In March of 2008, a $1.3 Billion development, including a Bass Pro Shops was announced for the Interstate 65/Interstate 565 interchange inside the city limits. The development, named Sweetwater, will include more than 1,000,000 square feet (93,000 m²) of retail space, 825,000 square feet (76,600 m²) of medical and office space, 2,700 residences, and an entertainment venue with seating for up to 8,000 people. A school, fire department, parks and lakes are expected to support the future development.^[6] Bass Pro Shops is a privately held sporting goods and outdoor goods store headquartered in Springfield, Missouri. ... Interstate 65 (abbreviated I-65) is an Interstate Highway in the United States. ... Interstate 565 (I-565) is a 21 mile (34 km) Interstate spur which connects Interstate 65 (I-65) near Decatur, Alabama with Huntsville, Alabama. ...

Major Employers

• 3M
• United Launch Alliance
• BP
  • Manufactures Paraxylene and Purified Terephthalic Acid
• Bunge International
• Daikin America
• Decatur City Schools
• General Electric
• Hyosung
• Meow Mix
• Nucor
• Solutia
• Tennessee Valley Authority
• MPW Industrial Services

View of Balloons Inflating At The Alabama Jubilee

View of Old State Bank

3M Company (NYSE: MMM), formerly Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company until 2002, is an American corporation with a worldwide presence. ... United Launch Alliance is a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. ... This article is about the energy corporation. ... p-Xylene is an aromatic hydrocarbon, based on benzene with two methyl substituents. ... Terephthalic acid is one isomer of the three phthalic acids. ... Bunge Limited (formerly Bunge International) is a multinational food conglomerate. ... Daikin Industries is a mayor Japan-based manufacturer of air conditioning systems. ... The Decatur City Schools is a school system located in the city of Decatur, Alabama, and is home to two of Alabamas International Baccalaureate High Schools. ... GE redirects here. ... Since its establishment in 1957, Hyosung Corp. ... Meow Mix Meow Mix is a popular variety of cat food, and is well known for its popular advertising jingle. ... Nucor Corporation (NYSE: NUE) is one of the largest steel producers in the United States, and the largest of the mini-mill operators (those using electric arc furnaces to melt scrap steel, as opposed to companies using traditional blast furnace technology). ... Solutia Inc. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Image File history File links Rivers. ... Image File history File links Rivers. ... // Activities Each and every year, dozens of colorful balloons take to the skies of Decatur, AL for the Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic over the Memorial Day holiday weekend (May 28-29). ... Image File history File links Saxes-4. ... Image File history File links Saxes-4. ... History The Old State Bank in Decatur, Alabama opened its doors on July 29th, of 1833. ...

Tourism

Tourism is a major part of Decatur's economy. Hundreds of thousands of people from in and out of town, and from many other countries and territories, attend some of the premier festivals in the South.^[7]

The Alabama Jubilee, begun in 1977, is the oldest hot air balloon race south of the Kentucky Derby's Great Balloon Race (from 1973). With visiting populations rising into 75,000, people crowd around numerous seven-story tall inflating balloons. Because of the Alabama Jubilee, Decatur has been named "The Ballooning Capital of Alabama" by the Alabama State Legislature. // Activities Each and every year, dozens of colorful balloons take to the skies of Decatur, AL for the Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic over the Memorial Day holiday weekend (May 28-29). ... The Hannah Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ...

The Spirit of America Festival is one of the largest free 4th of July festivals in the south. More than 65,000 people arrive in Decatur to watch annual celebrations and the Miss Point Mallard Beauty Pageant. // Intro One of the largest free Fourth of July celebrations in the South. ... Fourth of July redirects here. ...

Riverfest is a celebration sponsored by the Decatur Jaycees. Set at Rhodes Ferry Park, along the beautiful Tennessee River, barbecuers come from all over the country to try their luck at beating Big Bob Gibson's Barbecue, the seven-time world champion winner. Riverfest is an annual festival held in Limerick every year during the summer time. ... The United States Junior Chamber or Jaycees is an organization aimed at individuals aged 21 to 39 to help them in business and their professional careers. ... A riverboat passing under the Henley Street Bridge on the Tennessee River. ...

Another big celebration in Decatur and North Alabama, the Racking Horse World Celebration, attracts numerous horses from around the world to compete in the largest racking horse competition. Set in the Racking Horse World Celebration Arena, the celebration draws up to 75,000 fans and competitors each year. North Alabama is a region of the U.S. state of Alabama, generally thought to include these 11 counties: Cherokee, Colbert, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, and Winston. ...

Parks and celebrations

Replica of historic structure in the re-constructed Rose Garden in Delano Park

• Delano Park

• Point Mallard Park
  • J. Gilmer Blackburn Aquatic Center
    • "Home of America's first wave pool"

• Alabama Jubilee

• Spirit of America Festival

• Riverfest

• Racking Horse World Celebration Arena

Stone Delano Park sign The Delano Park is the oldest park in the city of Decatur, Alabama. ... Stone Delano Park sign The Delano Park is the oldest park in the city of Decatur, Alabama. ... This article might not be written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia entry. ... Template:The Gilmer Blackburn (Point Mallard) Aquatic Center Point Mallard Aquatic Center (Water Park), Decatur, AL Point Mallard Parks Aquatic Center was developed in the early 1970s after Mayor Gilmer Blackburn saw enclosed wave-making swimming pools in Japan and thought one could be a tourist attraction in... // Activities Each and every year, dozens of colorful balloons take to the skies of Decatur, AL for the Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic over the Memorial Day holiday weekend (May 28-29). ... // Intro One of the largest free Fourth of July celebrations in the South. ... Riverfest is an annual festival held in Limerick every year during the summer time. ... Celebration Arena is a 10,000-seat indoor arena located in Decatur, Alabama. ...

Media

Newspapers

The Decatur Daily has been the only major newspaper based in the Decatur Metropolitan Area since 1912, and the one of the only family owned newspapers in Alabama. It has an average daily circulation of 20,824 and a Sunday circulation of 23,840. The paper circulates in the morning to an area that includes Morgan County, Lawrence County, Cullman County, and southern portions of Limestone. The Decatur Daily is a daily newspaper serving Decatur and the Tennessee Valley in North Alabama, United States. ... The Decatur Metropolitan Area is a large separate but equal part of the Huntsville-Decatur Metropolitan Area. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... Morgan County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Lawrence County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Cullman County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. ... Limestone County is a county of the State of Alabama. ...

The Huntsville Times is the only other newspaper with a larger circulation in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area, and has been in circulation since 1996 to most area counties, when the Huntsville News closed. Before then, the News was the morning paper, and the Times was the afternoon paper. After the News closed, the Times remained an afternoon paper until 2004. The Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area is the most populated Sub-Region of North Alabama, and is the second fastest growing region in the State of Alabama, with 510,088 living within the CSA. It is also currently the 93rd largest CSA in the country. ...

Transportation

Air Transport

Decatur is served by two major airports. The Huntsville International Airport, in suburban Huntsville is the second busiest airport in Alabama, behind Birmingham International Airport. The city is also served by the busiest regional airport in Alabama, the Pryor Field Regional Airport.^[8] FAA Official Diagram Huntsville International Airport (IATA: HSV, ICAO: KHSV, FAA LID: HSV), also known as Carl T. Jones Field, is an airport located 9 miles (14 km) southwest of the central business district of Huntsville, a city in Madison County, Alabama, United States. ... Huntsville, Alabama (top center), near the Tennessee border, is north of Birmingham and northeast of Decatur, across the Tennessee River flowing northwest. ... There are two cities named Birmingham with international airports: See either Birmingham International Airport (UK) Birmingham International Airport (US) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Pryor Field is located next to Calhoun Community College in Decatur, AL. This regional airport serves the western portion of the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area, and primarily serves the cities of Decatur and Athens. ...

Roadways

Captain William J. Hudson "Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridges

Decatur, being only a mid-sized city, has not yet seen the conveniences of a major controlled access highway passing through the city limits. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2288x1712, 775 KB) Summary Picture of the Steamboat Bill Memorial Bridge in Decatur, Alabama. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2288x1712, 775 KB) Summary Picture of the Steamboat Bill Memorial Bridge in Decatur, Alabama. ...

Decatur's main thoroughfares are 6th Avenue (US 31) and The Beltline (State Route 67). 6th Avenue begins as both Alabama 20, Alternate U.S. 72, and US 31 split after being carried by the twin-span "Steamboat Bill" Hudson Memorial Bridge that crosses Tennessee River at the north central part of town. Alabama 20/Alternate U.S. 72 continues west towards The Shoals, after the Beltline begins in the vicinity of the Solutia plant. 6th Avenue continues southward where it eventually intersects with Beltline Road. After that intersection, 6th Avenue continues southward to Birmingham as Decatur Highway. US Highway 31 is a long north-south highway connecting northern Michigan to southern Alabama, with termini at Interstate 75 near Mackinaw City, Michigan, and U.S. Highway 90 and U.S. Highway 98 at Spanish Fort, Alabama. ... This article is about a major thoroughfare in the city of Decatur, Alabama. ... State Route 67 is a state highway in Alabama that connects the city of Decatur to U.S. Route 231 at Rainbow Crossing in Cullman County. ... Alternate US 72 exists in Alabama on the south side of the Tennessee River between Muscle Shoals and Decatur. ... The Steamboat Bill Memorial Bridges are two bridges that span one of the widest points along the Tennessee River within the City of Decatur, Alabama, between Morgan County, and Limestone County. ... A riverboat passing under the Henley Street Bridge on the Tennessee River. ... The Shoals is a metropolitan area in western Alabama including the cities of Florence, AL, Muscle Shoals, AL, Tuscumbia, AL, and Sheffield, AL. As well as the counties of Lauderdale, and Colbert. ... Solutia Inc. ...

The Beltline was built as a western bypass to relieve congestion on 6th Avenue. In doing so, however, this created another problem as sprawl quickly developed along the new arterial. Construction is currently under way to widen the road from four to six lanes with the project expected to be completed by 2010. This article is about a major thoroughfare in the city of Decatur, Alabama. ...

Major Highways

• Interstate 65
• Interstate 565
• U.S. Highway 31
• 
  U.S. Highway 72 Alternate
• Alabama 20
• Alabama 24
• Alabama 67

Image File history File links I-65. ... Interstate 65 (abbreviated I-65) is an Interstate Highway in the United States. ... Image File history File links I-565. ... Interstate 565 (I-565) is a 21 mile (34 km) Interstate spur which connects Interstate 65 (I-65) near Decatur, Alabama with Huntsville, Alabama. ... Image File history File links US_31. ... US Highway 31 is a long north-south highway connecting northern Michigan to southern Alabama, with termini at Interstate 75 near Mackinaw City, Michigan, and U.S. Highway 90 and U.S. Highway 98 at Spanish Fort, Alabama. ... Image File history File links Alternate_plate. ... Image File history File links US_72. ... Alternate US 72 exists in Alabama on the south side of the Tennessee River between Muscle Shoals and Decatur. ... Image File history File links Alabama_20. ... Alabama State Route 20 (Highway 20) runs from the Tennessee state line (TN 69) northwest of Florence, Alabama, east to I-65 east of Decatur in the northwestern Alabama. ... Image File history File links Alabama_24. ... Image File history File links Alabama_67. ... State Route 67 is a state highway in Alabama that connects the city of Decatur to U.S. Route 231 at Rainbow Crossing in Cullman County. ...

Busiest Intersections

US Highway 31 is a long north-south highway connecting northern Michigan to southern Alabama, with termini at Interstate 75 near Mackinaw City, Michigan, and U.S. Highway 90 and U.S. Highway 98 at Spanish Fort, Alabama. ... State Route 20 (Highway 20) runs from the Tennessee state line (State Route 69) northwest of Florence, Alabama, east to I-65 east of Decatur in the northwestern Alabama. ... Alternate US 72 exists in Alabama on the south side of the Tennessee River between Muscle Shoals and Decatur, while US 72 follows on the north side of the river between Florence and Athens. ... This article is about a major thoroughfare in the city of Decatur, Alabama. ... Alabama 67 is a vital route that connects the city of Decatur, AL to US 231 at Rainbow Crossing in Cullman County, AL. This road serves as a link between Decatur and Gadsden, AL. Alabama 67 begins at the intersection with US 231 and begins a northwestern route towards Decatur. ... Alabama 67 is a vital route that connects the city of Decatur, AL to US 231 at Rainbow Crossing in Cullman County, AL. This road serves as a link between Decatur and Gadsden, AL. Alabama 67 begins at the intersection with US 231 and begins a northwestern route towards Decatur. ... Interstate 65 (abbreviated I-65) is an Interstate Highway in the United States. ...

Improvements

Plans are also under way to construct a controlled access beltway from Interstate 65 south of the city to Alternate U.S. 72 in Lawrence County, known as Veteran's Parkway. Interstate 65 (abbreviated I-65) is an Interstate Highway in the United States. ... Alternate US 72 exists in Alabama on the south side of the Tennessee River between Muscle Shoals and Decatur. ... Lawrence County is a county of the State of Alabama. ...

In addition, there are plans to transform Alabama Highway 20/Alternate US 72 into an extension of Interstate 565 into the city. Governor Bob Riley has said he will make sure that plans for the road will be put on the fast track, since more than 85 vehicle accidents occur on Highway 20's final approach into Decatur each year.^[9] Interstate 565 (I-565) is a 21 mile (34 km) Interstate spur which connects Interstate 65 (I-65) near Decatur, Alabama with Huntsville, Alabama. ... Robert Renfroe Bob Riley (born October 3, 1944) is an American politician in the Republican Party. ...

Education

The Decatur City School System is well regarded throughout the nation. Both of the city's high schools (Decatur High School and Austin High School) have been awarded the Safe Schools Award for the past two years that it has been presented in the State of Alabama. The two schools are the only ones in the state to have won this award both years. With the addition of the International Baccalaureate Program to Austin and Decatur High Schools, Decatur has become the first Alabama school system north of Birmingham and one of five in the state to offer the honors program for juniors and seniors (as of July 2006). The Decatur City Schools is a school system located in the city of Decatur, Alabama, and is home to two of Alabamas International Baccalaureate High Schools. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into International Baccalaureate Organization. ...

All high school football and soccer teams compete in the 9,000 seat Ogle Stadium. Indoor track meets are held at the 10,000 seat Racking Horse World Celebration Arena. Ogle Stadium is an 9,000 seat stadium inside the city of Decatur, Alabama, located on the southern end of Decatur High Schools campus, and is owned by the Decatur City Schools. ... Celebration Arena is a 10,000-seat indoor arena located in Decatur, Alabama. ...

However, both Austin and Decatur failed to make adequate yearly progress in 2006 as mandated in the No Child Left Behind Act. The state said Austin's 86 percent graduation rate was four points too low.

Decatur High missed in two categories: percent of special education students the system tested in reading and percent tested in math. The graduate rate was 76 percent. However, the graduation rate is unreliable since students who move to different schools are considered "dropouts" and this drastically distorts the figures of how many students actually graduate.

The only institution of higher education located within the Decatur city limits is Calhoun Community College. It has three campuses; the main campus is located just north of the city on Highway 31.

Local Elementary and Middle Schools

High Schools

• Austin High School (IB Diploma Program)
• Decatur High School (IB Diploma Program)

Middle Schools Austin High School, located in Decatur, Alabama under the Decatur City Schools is one of the three high schools in the city. ... Decatur High School, located in Decatur, Alabama, United States, under the Decatur City Schools, across Prospect Dr. from Delano Park, is ranked as one of the top academic schools in the state, as well as the nation, with strong Advanced Placement programs and high ACT & SAT test scores that exceed...

• Brookhaven Middle School
• Cedar Ridge Middle School
• Oak Park Middle School

Elementary Schools Cedar Ridge Middle School is a middle (or junior high) school located in Decatur, AL, under the Decatur City Schools. ...

• Austinville Elementary School
• Banks-Caddell Elementary School
• Benjamin Davis Elementary School (Magnet/IB Primary Years)
• Chestnut Grove Elementary School
• Eastwood Elementary School
• Frances Nungester Elementary School
• Julian Harris Elementary School
• Leon Sheffield Elementary School (Magnet/IB Primary Years)
• Somerville Road Elementary School
• Walter Jackson Elementary School
• West Decatur Elementary School
• Woodmeade Elementary School

Private Schools

• Decatur Heritage Christian Academy
• Cornerstone Christian Academy
• Faith Christian Academy K-12 SACS & ACSI [1] [2]
• St. Ann's Catholic School
• Tennessee Valley Christian School

Local Higher Education

• Alabama A&M University - Huntsville
• Athens State University - Athens
• Calhoun Community College System
  • Calhoun Main Campus - Decatur
  • Calhoun Redstone Arsenal Campus - Huntsville
  • Calhoun Cummings Research Park Campus - Huntsville
• University of Alabama in Huntsville - Huntsville
• University of North Alabama - Florence

Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, also known as Alabama A&M University or AAMU, is an accredited, public, coeducational land grant college established under the terms of the Morrill Act of 1890 located in Normal, Madison County, Alabama. ... Huntsville, Alabama (top center), near the Tennessee border, is north of Birmingham and northeast of Decatur, across the Tennessee River flowing northwest. ... Athens State University located in Athens, Alabama is a two year upper level University. ... Athens is a city in Limestone County, Alabama. ... Located in North Alabamas high technology corridor, Calhoun Community College exemplifies the two-year college mission of commitment to excellence in teaching and service. ... Located in Decatur, Alabama, a thriving community in North Alabamas high technology corridor, this extension of the Calhoun Community College System is the main campus. ... This extension of the Calhoun Community College System is located in the Redston Arsenal in Huntsville, AL. This extension is used to educated citizens that live on the Redstone Arsenal, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. ... Huntsville, Alabama (top center), near the Tennessee border, is north of Birmingham and northeast of Decatur, across the Tennessee River flowing northwest. ... Basic Facts This extension of the Calhoun Community College System is located within the 2nd largest Research Park in the country, Cummings Research Park. ... Huntsville, Alabama (top center), near the Tennessee border, is north of Birmingham and northeast of Decatur, across the Tennessee River flowing northwest. ... The University of Alabama in Huntsville is a state-supported, public, coeducational university, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees. ... Huntsville, Alabama (top center), near the Tennessee border, is north of Birmingham and northeast of Decatur, across the Tennessee River flowing northwest. ... The University of North Alabama (abbreviated UNA) is a coeducational university located in Florence, Alabama, and the states oldest public university. ... Florence Florence city is the seat of Lauderdale County, which is situated in the northwest corner of the U.S. state of Alabama. ...

Nicknames

• "A Grand City on a Charming Scale" - The official Decatur City tag line adopted in 2005.
• The River City - So named because of the Tennessee River that flows on the northern edge of town and that inspires festivals and culture in the city.
• The Chicago of the South - Given to Decatur in the 1880s by a company formed to create a planned community, "New Decatur," just south of the original Decatur. At that time the city was home to several industries, including a boxcar plant, and home to the huge Louisville & Nashville railyards.
• "Ballooning Capital of Alabama" - Bestowed by the Alabama Legislature because of the annual Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic, which brings over 50 hot air balloons to Point Mallard Park. Begun in 1978, it is one of the oldest hot-air balloon rallies in the U.S.
• The Heart of the Valley - Because of Decatur's location at the very center of the Alabama portion of the Tennessee River and Tennessee Valley.
• "Home of America's First Wave Pool" - Decatur is home to the first wave pool ever built in the United States at the popular Point Mallard Aquatic Center.
• "Home of Meow Mix" - Decatur is home to one of the Meow Mix production facilities, and a sign reading "Decatur: Home of Meow Mix" is visible on one of the city's buildings from the Tennessee River bridge.
• D-Rock - nickname given by high school students inside Decatur. Many people outside of Decatur also refer to the city with this nickname.^[10]
• "Hub of the South" - Decatur is in a convenient location nearby many important southern cities.
• "City of Opportunity" - a popular name in the 1950s and 1960s due to the city's rapid growth during that era.

// Activities Each and every year, dozens of colorful balloons take to the skies of Decatur, AL for the Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic over the Memorial Day holiday weekend (May 28-29). ... This article is about hot air balloons themselves. ... This article might not be written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia entry. ... A riverboat passing under the Henley Street Bridge on the Tennessee River. ... A wave pool in use. ... Template:The Gilmer Blackburn (Point Mallard) Aquatic Center Point Mallard Aquatic Center (Water Park), Decatur, AL Point Mallard Parks Aquatic Center was developed in the early 1970s after Mayor Gilmer Blackburn saw enclosed wave-making swimming pools in Japan and thought one could be a tourist attraction in... Meow Mix Meow Mix is a popular variety of cat food, and is well known for its popular advertising jingle. ...

Famous Decaturites

• Seth Kimbrough, Former frontman of Unblack Metal/Deathcore band, Mortal Treason and Pro BMX Rider.
• Brady Lett, Founder of Dolfproductions.
• Joseph Abbott, Texas politician.
• Mae C. Jemison, first African American woman in space.
• Dean Jones, actor.
• Lucas Black, actor.
• Philip Rivers, football player.
• Charles Redding Pitt, United States Attorney for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama; private lawyer; Democratic politician
• John O'Sullivan, conservative columnist and pundit.
• Gary Knotts, baseball player
• Gary Redus, baseball player
• Rip Sewell, baseball player

Joseph (Jo) Abbott (January 15, 1840-February 11, 1908) was a member of the Confederate Army and a member of the United States House of Representatives from Texas. ... Mae C. Jemison blasted into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour, September 12, 1992, she was the first non-white woman to go into space. ... Dean Jones (born January 25, 1931 in Decatur, Alabama) is an American actor. ... Lucas York Black (born November 29, 1982) is an American film and television actor. ... Philip Rivers (born December 8, 1981 in Decatur, Alabama) is an American football player who plays quarterback for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. ... Charles (Redding) Pitt is an attorney and the current chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party (2003-2007). ... John OSullivan, (April 25, 1942-)is Editor-in-Chief of the prestigious international affairs magazine, The National Interest, Editor-at-Large of the prominent magazine the National Review, and a senior Fellow at the Nixon Center. ... A columnist is a journalist who produces a specific form of writing for publication called a column. Columns appear in newspapers, magazines and the Internet. ... The term Pundit has multiple meanings: A pundit or pandit, in the culture of India, is a master of traditional religious poetry and/or traditional music. ... Gary Knotts is a Major League Baseball pitcher, currently with the Detroit Tigers and has a career ERA of 5. ... Gary Redus (born November 1, 1956 in Athens, Alabama), is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as an outfielder from 1982-1994. ... Truett Banks Rip Sewell (May 11, 1907 – 1989) was a professional baseball pitcher, known to be one of the greatest junk pitchers. ...

See also

• Decatur Metropolitan Area
• Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area
• Morgan County
• North Alabama
• Point Mallard Park - Aquatic Center
• Tennessee River
• Stephen Decatur, Jr.
• Wheeler Lake
• Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge

The Decatur Metropolitan Area is a large separate but equal part of the Huntsville-Decatur Metropolitan Area. ... The Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area is the most populated Sub-Region of North Alabama, and is the second fastest growing region in the State of Alabama, with 510,088 living within the CSA. It is also currently the 93rd largest CSA in the country. ... Morgan County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... North Alabama is a region of the U.S. state of Alabama, generally thought to include these 11 counties: Cherokee, Colbert, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, and Winston. ... This article might not be written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia entry. ... Template:The Gilmer Blackburn (Point Mallard) Aquatic Center Point Mallard Aquatic Center (Water Park), Decatur, AL Point Mallard Parks Aquatic Center was developed in the early 1970s after Mayor Gilmer Blackburn saw enclosed wave-making swimming pools in Japan and thought one could be a tourist attraction in... A riverboat passing under the Henley Street Bridge on the Tennessee River. ... Stephen Decatur, Jr. ... Wheeler Lake area Wheeler Lake is located in north Alabama between Rogersville and Huntsville. ... The Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is a United States National Wildlife Refuge comprising 34,500 acres. ...

References

George R. Stewarts books about U.S. highways were based on his cross-country drives in 1924, 1949 and 1950. ... The comma-separated values (or CSV; also known as a comma-separated list or comma-separated variables) file format is a file type that stores tabular data. ... is the 179th day of the year (180th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 179th day of the year (180th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title ) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 123rd day of the year (124th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title ) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 274th day of the year (275th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Official City Website: DigitalDecatur
• Official City Tourist Website: Decatur, Alabama, USA
• Decatur's Historic Albany Neighborhood
• Morgan County 911
• Cook's Natural Science Museum
• Official Decatur-Morgan County Website
• Decatur Convention & Visitor's Bureau
• Decatur Morgan County Chamber of Commerce
• Decatur City Schools
• Decatur Sports
• Decatur Parks and Recreation
• Morgan County Economic Development Association

• Decatur, Alabama is at coordinates 34°34′52″N 86°59′00″W / 34.580992, -86.983392 (Decatur, Alabama)Coordinates: 34°34′52″N 86°59′00″W / 34.580992, -86.983392 (Decatur, Alabama)

((Private schools in Decatur AL)) A complete list of radio stations licensed to places in Alabama. ... The Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area is the most populated Sub-Region of North Alabama, and is the second fastest growing region in the State of Alabama, with 510,088 living within the CSA. It is also currently the 93rd largest CSA in the country. ... Huntsville, Alabama (top center), near the Tennessee border, is north of Birmingham and northeast of Decatur, across the Tennessee River flowing northwest. ... Athens is a city in Limestone County, Alabama. ... Madison is a city located primarily in Madison County, Alabama with a small portion in Limestone County, Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. ... Hartselle is a city in Morgan County, Alabama, about 10 miles (16 km) south of Decatur, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. ... Moores Mill is an unincorporated community and census-designated place located in Madison County, Alabama. ... Harvest is an unincorporated community and census-designated place located in the northwestern part of Madison County, Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. ... Hazel Green is an unincorporated community and census-designated place located in Madison County, Alabama. ... Meridianville is an unincorporated community and census-designated place located in Madison County, Alabama. ... Moulton is a city located in Lawrence County, Alabama. ... New Hope is a small city located in Madison County, Alabama. ... Priceville is a town located in Morgan County, Alabama. ... Redstone Arsenal is a census-designated place and US ARMY base/town located next to the city of Huntsville in Madison County, Alabama. ... Ardmore is a town located in Limestone County, Alabama. ... Falkville is a town located in Morgan County, Alabama. ... New Market is a census-designated place (CDP) in Madison County, Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. ... Owens Cross Roads is a town located in Madison County, Alabama. ... Town Creek is a town located in Lawrence County, Alabama. ... Trinity is a town located in Morgan County, Alabama. ... Courtland is a town located in Lawrence County, Alabama. ... Gurley is a town located in Madison County, Alabama. ... Hillsboro is a town located in Lawrence County, Alabama. ... North Courtland is a town located in Lawrence County, Alabama. ... Elkmont is a town located in Limestone County, Alabama. ... Eva is a town located in Morgan County, Alabama. ... Somerville is a town located in Morgan County, Alabama. ... Triana is a town located in Madison County, Alabama. ... Lester is a town located in Limestone County, Alabama. ... Mooresville is a town in Limestone County, Alabama, U.S., located southeast of the intersection of I-565 and I-65, and north of Wheeler Lake. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Danville is a census-designated place in Morgan County, Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. ... Hulaco is a census-designated place located in Morgan County, Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. ... Laceys Spring is located in northeastern Morgan County, Alabama at the base of Brindley Mountain, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. ... Meridianville is an unincorporated community and census-designated place located in Madison County, Alabama. ... Morgan City is a census-designated place located in Morgan County, Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. ... Moulton Heights is a census-designated place located in Morgan County, Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. ... New Market is a census-designated place (CDP) in Madison County, Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. ... Tanner is a small town in central southern Limestone County, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. ... Toney is an unincorporated community in northwestern Madison County, Alabama. ... Lawrence County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Limestone County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Madison County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is a major part of the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. ... Morgan County is a county of the State of Alabama. ...

v • d • e Municipalities and communities of Limestone County, Alabama County seat: Athens Cities Athens | Decatur | Huntsville | Madison Limestone County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... A county seat is a term for an administrative center for a county, primarily used in the United States. ... Athens is a city in Limestone County, Alabama. ... For other uses, see City (disambiguation). ... Athens is a city in Limestone County, Alabama. ... Huntsville, Alabama (top center), near the Tennessee border, is north of Birmingham and northeast of Decatur, across the Tennessee River flowing northwest. ... Madison is a city located primarily in Madison County, Alabama with a small portion in Limestone County, Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. ... Towns Ardmore | Elkmont | Lester | Mooresville Ronda, Spain Main street in Bastrop, Texas, United States, a small town A town is a community of people ranging from a few hundred to several thousands, although it may be applied loosely even to huge metropolitan areas. ... Ardmore is a town located in Limestone County, Alabama. ... Elkmont is a town located in Limestone County, Alabama. ... Lester is a town located in Limestone County, Alabama. ... Mooresville is a town in Limestone County, Alabama, U.S., located southeast of the intersection of I-565 and I-65, and north of Wheeler Lake. ... Unincorporated community Tanner In United States law, a region of land is unincorporated if it is not a part of any municipality. ... Tanner is a small town in central southern Limestone County, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. ...

v • d • e Municipalities and communities of Morgan County, Alabama County seat: Decatur Cities Decatur | Hartselle Morgan County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... A county seat is a term for an administrative center for a county, primarily used in the United States. ... For other uses, see City (disambiguation). ... Hartselle is a city in Morgan County, Alabama, about 10 miles (16 km) south of Decatur, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. ... Towns Eva | Falkville | Priceville | Somerville | Trinity Ronda, Spain Main street in Bastrop, Texas, United States, a small town A town is a community of people ranging from a few hundred to several thousands, although it may be applied loosely even to huge metropolitan areas. ... Eva is a town located in Morgan County, Alabama. ... Falkville is a town located in Morgan County, Alabama. ... Priceville is a town located in Morgan County, Alabama. ... Somerville is a town located in Morgan County, Alabama. ... Trinity is a town located in Morgan County, Alabama. ... Unincorporated communities Burningtree Mountain | Danville | Hulaco | Lacey's Spring | Lacon | Morgan City | Moulton Heights In United States law, a region of land is unincorporated if it is not a part of any municipality. ... Danville is a census-designated place in Morgan County, Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. ... Hulaco is a census-designated place located in Morgan County, Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. ... Laceys Spring is located in northeastern Morgan County, Alabama at the base of Brindley Mountain, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. ... Lacon, Alabama was once a thriving, little town in extreme South Morgan County, Alabama. ... Morgan City is a census-designated place located in Morgan County, Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. ... Moulton Heights is a census-designated place located in Morgan County, Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. ...

	v • d • e State of Alabama Montgomery (capital)
Topics	History | Geography | People | Government | Governors | Lieutenant Governors | Metropolitan Areas | National Historic Landmarks Image File history File links Flag_of_Alabama. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  US Government Portal      A U.S. state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of... This article is about the U.S. State. ... Coordinates: , Country State County Montgomery Incorporated December 3, 1819 Government  - Mayor Bobby Bright Area  - City  156. ... Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, site of first U.S. capital. ... Alabama State Flag This is the history of the State of Alabama, in the United States of America. ... The following is a list of the governors of Alabama. ... This is a List of Lieutenant Governors of the U.S. state of Alabama, 1868 to present. ... Categories: | ...
Regions	Atlantic Coastal Plain | Birmingham District | Black Belt | Central Alabama | Cumberland Plateau | Greater Birmingham | Gulf Coastal Plain | Lower Alabama | Mobile Bay | North Alabama | Northeast Alabama | Northwest Alabama | Piedmont | Ridge and Valley | River Region | South Alabama | Tennessee Valley | Wiregrass Region This list of regions of the United States includes official (governmental) and non-official areas within the borders of the United States, not including U.S. states, the federal district of Washington, D.C. or standard subentities such as cities or counties. ... The Atlantic Coastal Plain is the rather flat stretch of land that borders the Atlantic Ocean (including the Gulf of Mexico). ... The Birmingham District refers to a geological area in the vicinity of Birmingham, Alabama where the raw materials for making steel, limestone, iron ore, and coal are found together in abundance. ... Map of Alabamas Black Belt region. ... Central Alabama is the region in the state of Alabama that stretches approximately 170 miles from the western border with Mississippi to eastern border with Georgia and 136 miles from the northern border of Cullman County to the Alabama River in southern Autauga County. ... The Cumberland Plateau includes much of eastern Kentucky and western West Virginia in the United States. ... Birmingham-Hoover-Cullman Combined Statistical Area The Birmingham-Hoover-Cullman Combined Statistical Area sometimes known as Greater Birmingham, is made up of 8 counties in Central Alabama. ... The Gulf Coastal Plain extends from the Florida Parishes of Louisiana over most of Mississippi, some of western Tennessee and Kentucky, the southwestern 2/3 of Alabama, and the western panhandle of Florida. ... Lower Alabama is a term used to describe various parts of southern Alabama. ... Mobile Bay - Landsat photo Mobile and Mobile Bay from space, June 1991 During a jubilee along the shores of Mobile Bay, blue crabs & flounder come to shallow water near shore Mobile Bay is an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico, lying within the state of Alabama in the United States. ... North Alabama is a region of the U.S. state of Alabama, generally thought to include these 11 counties: Cherokee, Colbert, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, and Winston. ... Northeast Alabama includes the cities of Anniston, Gadsden, Talladega, and their surrounding areas in the state of Alabama. ... The James River winds its way among piedmont hills in central Virginia. ... The Ridge-and-valley Appalachians are a belt within the Appalachian Mountains extending from northern New Jersey westward into Pennsylvania and southward into Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia. ... South Alabama is a term used to describe various parts of southern Alabama. ... The Tennessee Valley is the drainage basin of the Tennessee River and is largely within the U.S. state of Tennessee. ... The Wiregrass Region or Wiregrass Country is an area of the Southern United States encompassing parts of southern Georgia, southeastern Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle named for the native wiregrass. ...
Major cities	Anniston | Auburn | Birmingham | Decatur | Dothan | Florence | Gadsden | Hoover | Huntsville | Mobile | Montgomery | Tuscaloosa This list of current cities. ... Nickname: The Model City Location in Alabama Coordinates: County Calhoun Settled April 1872 Incorporated 3 July 1883 Mayor Hoyt W. “Chip” Howell, Jr. ... Nickname: Location in Lee County, Alabama Coordinates: , Country State County Lee County, Alabama Government  - Mayor Bill Ham, Jr. ... Nickname: Location in Jefferson County in the state of Alabama Coordinates: , Country State Counties Jefferson, Shelby Incorporated December 19, 1871 Government  - Type Mayor - Council  - Mayor Bernard Kincaid (Current) Larry Langford (Mayor-Elect) Area  - City 151. ... Dothan is a city located in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Alabama. ... Florence Florence city is the seat of Lauderdale County, which is situated in the northwest corner of the U.S. state of Alabama. ... Gadsden is a city in and the county seat of Etowah County, northeastern Alabama, United States, approximately 60 miles northeast of Birmingham. ... Hoover is a city in Jefferson and Shelby counties in middle central Alabama. ... Huntsville, Alabama (top center), near the Tennessee border, is north of Birmingham and northeast of Decatur, across the Tennessee River flowing northwest. ... Nickname: Coordinates: , Country State County Mobile Founded 1702 Incorporated 1814 Government  - Mayor Sam Jones Area  - City 412. ... Coordinates: , Country State County Montgomery Incorporated December 3, 1819 Government  - Mayor Bobby Bright Area  - City  156. ... Tuscaloosa is a city in west central Alabama in the southern United States. ...
Counties	Autauga | Baldwin | Barbour | Bibb | Blount | Bullock | Butler | Calhoun | Chambers | Cherokee | Chilton | Choctaw | Clarke | Clay | Cleburne | Coffee | Colbert | Conecuh | Coosa | Covington | Crenshaw | Cullman | Dale | Dallas | DeKalb | Elmore | Escambia | Etowah | Fayette | Franklin | Geneva | Greene | Hale | Henry | Houston | Jackson | Jefferson | Lamar | Lauderdale | Lawrence | Lee | Limestone | Lowndes | Macon | Madison | Marengo | Marion | Marshall | Mobile | Monroe | Montgomery | Morgan | Perry | Pickens | Pike | Randolph | Russell | Shelby | St. Clair | Sumter | Talladega | Tallapoosa | Tuscaloosa | Walker | Washington | Wilcox | Winston List of 67 counties in the U.S. state of Alabama: Autauga County Baldwin County Barbour County Bibb County Blount County Bullock County Butler County Calhoun County Chambers County Cherokee County Chilton County Choctaw County Clarke County Clay County Cleburne County Coffee County Colbert County Conecuh County Coosa County Covington... Autauga County, Alabama is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Baldwin County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. ... Barbour County, Alabama is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. ... Bibb County, Alabama is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. ... Blount County is a county located in the U.S. state of Alabama. ... Bullock County, Alabama is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. ... Butler County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Calhoun County, Alabama is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Chambers County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Cherokee County, Alabama is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Chilton County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Choctaw County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Clarke County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Clay County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Cleburne County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. ... Coffee County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Colbert County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Conecuh County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Coosa County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Covington County, Alabama is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Crenshaw County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Cullman County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. ... Dale County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Dallas County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... DeKalb County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Elmore County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Escambia County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. ... Etowah County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Fayette County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Franklin County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Geneva County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Greene County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Hale County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Henry County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Houston County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Jackson County is a county of the State of Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. ... Location in the state of Alabama Formed December 13, 1819 Seat Birmingham Area  - Total  - Water 2,911 km² (1,124 mi²) 29 km² (11 mi²) 1. ... Lamar County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Lauderdale County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Lawrence County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Lee County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Limestone County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Lowndes County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Macon County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Madison County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is a major part of the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. ... Marengo County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Marion County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. ... Marshall County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Mobile County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. ... Monroe County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Montgomery County is a county in the State of Alabama. ... Morgan County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Perry County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Pickens County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Pike County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Randolph County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Russell County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Shelby County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama and is named in honor of Isaac Shelby, Governor of Kentucky. ... St. ... Sumter County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Talladega County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Tallapoosa County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Tuscaloosa County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. ... Walker County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. ... Washington County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. ... Wilcox County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... Winston County is a county of the State of Alabama. ...