City profile · Indiana · Census ACS 2023

Decatur, IN

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.

9,769
Residents
$58,867
Median income
$132,900
Median home
$956
Median rent (state)

Decatur - the verdict

Decatur ranks in the 33rd percentile for household income and the 70th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

33rd
percentile, household income
22nd
percentile, home value
11th
percentile, median rent
70th
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, IN

Indiana's Decatur is a small town, with 9,769 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $58,867 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.9%. Decatur's housing stock carries a median value of $132,900, and the median resident age is 43.6 years. About 12.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 55.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 21 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Stable), up 0% from five years earlier. Decatur reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 845.5 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Decatur's yearly average temperature at 50.7°F with 40.6 inches of precipitation per year and 28.1 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Indiana run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Indiana at 93.3 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $956 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Indiana run around $235, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 52.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

9,769 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Indiana

Median Household Income

$58,867 /yr

Poverty 5.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Indiana average

How does Decatur compare to other US cities?

Where Decatur sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 33% higher than other cities
Home value 22% pricier than other cities
Median rent 11% pricier than other cities
Safety 70% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Indiana and the picture shifts: Decatur ranks #43 of 109 Indiana cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Decatur against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Indiana only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Indiana-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Decatur near the bottom of Indiana's cities

Among the 850 Indiana cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Decatur ranks #610 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Decatur only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#452 of 766
41st percentile in Indiana
Median Gross Rent
#610 of 850
0th percentile in Indiana
Median Home Value
#390 of 771
49th percentile in Indiana
Poverty Rate
#462 of 849
45th percentile in Indiana
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#497 of 850
41st percentile in Indiana

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Indiana only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

33rdIncome percentile
70thSafety percentile

33rd percentile nationally for median household income · 70th 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 62 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+)

$132,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 78% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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, IN Decatur, IN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Decatur, IN-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, IN median $58,867/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, IN'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, IN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 12.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 55.2%

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

Population
9,769
Median Income
$58,867
Median Home Value
$132,900
Median Age
43.6
Poverty Rate
5.9%
Labor force participation
55.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
12.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
845.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
169.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
676.4
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
50.7°F
Annual Precipitation
40.6"
Annual Snowfall
28.1"

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
9,900 residents9,950 residents10,000 residents10,050 residents10,100 residents10,150 residents 202020212022202320242025 9,929 residents 10,090 residents ▲ +1.6%
Decatur's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
21
housing units authorized
Single-Family
17
detached homes
Multifamily
4
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 21
2020 31
2021 28
2022 25
2023 22
2024 21

Permit volume increased 0% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
87.1%
Carpool
6.9%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
3.2%
Work from Home
2.4%

Based on 4,413 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

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

Electricity
$110
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$235
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Indiana 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 Indiana 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
93.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$956/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
52.1 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Indiana

McCordsville
9,700 people
Greencastle
9,863 people
Mooresville
9,608 people
Columbia City
9,975 people
Kendallville
10,094 people
Angola
9,383 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Decatur's 9,769 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Sedona, AZ
9,770 people
Hamburg, NY
9,762 people
Frankfort Square, IL
9,777 people
Madera Acres, CA
9,758 people
Mahomet, IL
9,755 people
Eagle Point, OR
9,783 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Decatur's $58,867 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Lemon Cove, CA
$58,869 median income
Cochranton, PA
$58,864 median income
Paradise, NV
$58,874 median income
Kennedy, CA
$58,859 median income
Inverness Highlands North, FL
$58,859 median income
Atwood, IL
$58,875 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Decatur, IN 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, IN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 90.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.7% White 90.0% Black or African American 1.1% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.1% Two or more races 5.8% 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 Indiana 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) 9,769 $58,867
McCordsville 9,700 $113,495
Greencastle 9,863 $54,217
Mooresville 9,608 $70,228
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IN FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Decatur, IN?

What is the population of Decatur, IN? +

Decatur, IN has a population of 9,769 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Decatur households earn a median of $58,867 annually, 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 Indiana state average, a cost of living index of 93.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Indiana vary by metro area.

Is Decatur, IN safe? +

Decatur has a total crime rate of 845.5 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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, IN? +

A typical home in Decatur is worth $132,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Decatur? +

Climate normals put Decatur's yearly average temperature at 50.7°F, 40.6 inches of precipitation, and 28.1 inches of snowfall per year. 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

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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.