Town · Mississippi
Decatur, Mississippi
Decatur, town, in Newton County, Mississippi. Decatur had 1,878 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.4% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 1,945 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 1,929 (±290). GEOID 2818180.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
1,878
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 1,945 · ACS 2020-2024: 1,929 ±290
Median household income
$50,128
±$7,207 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $56,447
Median home value
$128,900
±$37,850 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $169,800
Median gross rent
$835
±$116 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $954
Where is Decatur and what county is it in?
Decatur is a town in Newton County, Mississippi. It covers 5.5 square miles of land, 353 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Decatur, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 1,878 people lived in Decatur on July 1, 2025, down 3.4% since 2020, a steeper fall than Mississippi's (−0.2%). The 2020 Census counted 1,945 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 1,929 (±290).
| Measure | Decatur | Newton County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 1,929 ±290 | 21,093 | no clear change |
| Households | 540 ±124 | 7,713 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.38 ±0.40 | 2.62 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 661 ±141 | 9,160 | no clear change |
Decatur's population since 2000
From 1,426 in 2000 to 1,878 in 2025: up 31.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Decatur as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Decatur?
The median resident of Decatur is 21.7 years old; 17.7% are under 18 and 9.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 65.0%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 27.1%.
| Measure | Decatur | Newton County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 21.7 ±0.9 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 17.7% ±5.4 pts | 24.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 9.4% ±4.1 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Male | 51.8% ±5.0 pts | 49.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.7% ±3.6 pts | 1.9% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 65.0% ±8.4 pts | 59.7% | +17.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 27.1% ±8.7 pts | 31.6% | −20.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5% ±0.9 pts | 0.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 1.1% ±1.1 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±2.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.7% ±1.3 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±2.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.2% ±2.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.7% ±3.2 pts | 5.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.8% ±3.2 pts | 6.6% | – |
| With a disability | 15.6% ±4.7 pts | 22.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 14.6% ±5.6 pts | 12.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 81.0% ±8.8 pts | 85.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.3% ±9.4 pts | 19.3% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 13.2% ±8.7 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 84.4% ±5.8 pts | 92.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.7% ±2.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Decatur earn?
Half of Decatur's 540 households earn less than $50,128 a year (±$7,207), against $50,540 in Newton County and $56,447 in Mississippi. In 2015-2019 the median was $32,306 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $17,822 after inflation. 20.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Decatur | Newton County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $50,128 ±$7,207 | $50,540 | +$17,822 |
| Mean household income | $67,503 ±$10,818 | $74,166 | – |
| Per capita income | $21,673 ±$3,409 | $28,694 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 20.7% ±10.8 pts | 24.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 27.6% ±23.2 pts | 34.7% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.7% ±7.7 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.7% ±3.1 pts | 90.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 78.1% ±9.9 pts | 76.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Decatur?
Owners occupy 58.1% of Decatur's occupied homes and renters 41.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $128,900 by its owner (±$37,850). The median renter pays $835 a month including utilities, and 34.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Decatur | Newton County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $128,900 ±$37,850 | $106,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $835 ±$116 | $638 | +$170 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.4% ±17.6 pts | 31.3% | −27.8 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,267 ±$198 | $1,088 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 58.1% ±11.5 pts | 79.1% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 41.9% ±11.5 pts | 20.9% | – |
| Housing units | 661 ±141 | 9,160 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.9% ±1.4 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 16.6% ±13.6 pts | 11.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.3% ±8.7 pts | 69.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 11.3% ±6.9 pts | 24.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7% ±2.9 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 9.7% ±4.9 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.0% ±2.3 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 8.0% ±6.6 pts | 5.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Decatur building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in Decatur in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 0.0 per 1,000 residents against 2.8 across Mississippi.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Decatur work and get to work?
94.2% of Decatur's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 21.6 minutes.
| Measure | Decatur | Newton County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 44.0% ±7.7 pts | 50.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.6% ±7.2 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 94.2% ±3.7 pts | 78.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 1.7% ±2.5 pts | 14.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±6.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Walked | 2.1% ±2.3 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 2.0% ±1.6 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.6 min ±4.9 | 27.9 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Decatur?
No census tract lies mostly in Decatur; 2 tracts reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 503.01Newton County | 3,435 | $51,410 |
| Tract 501Newton County | 3,048 | $58,077 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Decatur) · Census block assignment files
How does Decatur compare with other places in Mississippi?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Decatur is the 7,904th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 101st-most populous of 299 in Mississippi.
Decatur ranks 74th of 172 places in Mississippi with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 101st | 299 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 83rd | 148 |
| Residents per square mile | 152nd | 187 |
| Median household income | 74th | 172 |
| Per capita income | 135th | 183 |
| Median home value | 95th | 178 |
| Median gross rent | 86th | 161 |
| Poverty rate | 100th | 160 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 92nd | 171 |
| Median age | 180th | 186 |
| Owner-occupied share | 119th | 182 |
| Travel time to work | 117th | 185 |
Decatur's figures with every place in Mississippi (CSV)
Every place in Mississippi, sortable · Compare Decatur with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Decatur?
22 of the 57 figures for Decatur on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Decatur are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Decatur.