City profile · Alabama · Census ACS 2023

Decatur, AL

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Decatur - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

57,760
Residents
$59,831
Median income
$190,500
Median home
$961
Median rent (state)

Decatur - the verdict

Decatur ranks in the 35th percentile for household income and the 17th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

35th
percentile, household income
40th
percentile, home value
11th
percentile, median rent
17th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Decatur, AL

57,760 people live in Decatur, Alabama - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Decatur households earn a median of $59,831 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.1%. Home values in Decatur run a median of $190,500, and the median resident age is 40.4 years. 22.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 56.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 126 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 70% from five years earlier. Decatur's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 2915.5 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 61.4°F with 58.0 inches of precipitation per year.

Living costs in Alabama run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Alabama at 88.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $961 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $245 across Alabama, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for Decatur workers runs 19.7 minutes, with 83.6% driving alone and 4.4% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 88.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

57,760 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Alabama

Median Household Income

$59,831 /yr

Poverty 9.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

88.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Alabama average

How does Decatur compare to other US cities?

Decatur measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 35% higher than other cities
Home value 40% pricier than other cities
Median rent 11% pricier than other cities
Safety 17% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Alabama and the picture shifts: Decatur ranks #163 of 222 Alabama cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Decatur's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Alabama, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

35thIncome percentile
17thSafety percentile

35th percentile nationally for median household income · 17th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Decatur's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Decatur's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 42 Avg. percentile National median
Decatur's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Decatur's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$190,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 60% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Decatur $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Decatur, AL Decatur, AL's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Decatur, AL-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Decatur, AL median $59,831/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Decatur, AL's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Decatur, AL. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 22.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.0%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
57,760
Median Income
$59,831
Median Home Value
$190,500
Median Age
40.4
Poverty Rate
9.1%
Labor force participation
56.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
22.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2915.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
606.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2308.8
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
61.4°F
Annual Precipitation
58.0"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
20
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
56,500 residents57,000 residents57,500 residents58,000 residents58,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 57,131 residents 58,056 residents ▲ +1.6%
Decatur's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
126
housing units authorized
Single-Family
126
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 74
2020 100
2021 109
2022 149
2023 166
2024 126

Permit volume increased 70% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
19.7 minutes
Drive Alone
83.6%
Carpool
9.7%
Public Transit
0.3%
Walk
0.9%
Work from Home
4.4%
Other
1.1%

Based on 25,109 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Alabama - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$138
avg/month
Natural Gas
$62
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$245
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Alabama state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Alabama state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Decatur sits in

Cost of Living Index
88.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$961/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
88.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Alabama

Madison
58,335 people
Dothan
71,118 people
Florence
41,231 people
Prattville
38,850 people
Vestavia Hills
38,704 people
Phenix City
38,477 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Decatur's 57,760 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Bowie, MD
57,771 people
Weymouth, MA
57,786 people
Bel Air South, MD
57,702 people
Towson, MD
57,683 people
Lancaster, PA
57,683 people
Royal Oak, MI
57,880 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Decatur's $59,831 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Mannford, OK
$59,831 median income
Paxtonville, PA
$59,830 median income
Newport, DE
$59,833 median income
Socastee, SC
$59,826 median income
Moses Lake North, WA
$59,825 median income
Burdett, NY
$59,821 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Decatur, AL Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Decatur, AL - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 60.9% 23.4% 6.8% 7.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 16.4% White 60.9% Black or African American 23.4% Asian 0.5% American Indian 1.1% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 6.8% Two or more races 7.1% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Decatur compares to nearby Alabama cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Decatur (this city) 57,760 $59,831
Madison 58,335 $131,436
Dothan 71,118 $55,052
Florence 41,231 $50,396
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AL FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Decatur, AL?

What is the population of Decatur, AL? +

Decatur, AL counts 57,760 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Decatur, AL? +

Median annual household income in Decatur runs $59,831, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Decatur? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Decatur; the closest available measure is the Alabama state average, a cost of living index of 88.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Alabama vary by metro area.

Is Decatur, AL safe? +

Decatur has a total crime rate of 2915.5 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Decatur, AL? +

The median home value in Decatur is $190,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Decatur? +

Climate normals put Decatur's yearly average temperature at 61.4°F, 58.0 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.