County · Tennessee
Decatur County, Tennessee
Decatur County, Tennessee. Decatur County had 11,820 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.4% since 2020, slower than Tennessee (+5.8%). It holds 3 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 47039.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
11,820
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 11,435 · ACS 2020-2024: 11,579
Median household income
$45,375
±$5,287 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $69,595
Median home value
$139,600
±$16,377 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $286,700
Median gross rent
$757
±$74 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $1,189
How many people live in Decatur County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 11,435 residents in Decatur County. The Census Bureau estimates 11,820 for July 1, 2025, up 3.4% since 2020, slower than Tennessee (+5.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 11,579 over 334 square miles of land.
| Measure | Decatur County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 11,579 | 7,066,383 | −107 |
| Households | 4,568±215 | 2,824,277 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.49±0.12 | 2.45 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,591±19 | 3,143,670 | −319 |
Decatur County's population since 2000
From 11,731 in 2000 to 11,820 in 2025: up 0.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Decatur County?
Decatur County holds 3 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Parsons with 2,162 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Parsons | 2,100 | $36,154 |
|---|---|---|
| Decaturville | 807 | $41,597 |
| Scotts Hill | 877 | $37,809 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Decatur County?
The median resident of Decatur County is 45.8 years old; 20.2% are under 18 and 23.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.7%. 2.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Decatur County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.8±0.3 | 38.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.2%±0.1 pts | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.8%±0.3 pts | 17.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.7% | 7.4% | +2.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.1%±1.0 pts | 71.0% | −1.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.7%±1.3 pts | 15.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.4%±1.4 pts | 1.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.9%±1.0 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.4%±1.3 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.5%±1.6 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.2%±1.1 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 18.3%±2.6 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.3%±1.8 pts | 10.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 84.1%±2.8 pts | 90.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 14.0%±2.6 pts | 31.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 2.6%±1.1 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.5%±0.8 pts | 3.0% | – |
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 County earn?
Half of Decatur County's 4,568 households earn less than $45,375 a year (±$5,287), against $69,595 in Tennessee. In 2015-2019 it was $51,727 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 22.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Decatur County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $45,375±$5,287 | $69,595 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $63,847±$5,961 | $96,820 | – |
| Per capita income | $26,884±$2,057 | $39,437 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 22.1%±3.9 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 26.1%±8.9 pts | 18.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.2%±3.4 pts | 10.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 80.5%±3.8 pts | 89.2% | – |
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 County?
Owners occupy 74.3% of Decatur County's occupied homes and renters 25.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $139,600 by its owner (±$16,377). The median renter pays $757 a month including utilities, and 22.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Decatur County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $139,600±$16,377 | $286,700 | +$18,007 |
| Median gross rent | $757±$74 | $1,189 | +$104 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 22.8%±9.0 pts | 39.7% | −17.5 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,063±$127 | $1,566 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.3%±3.5 pts | 66.9% | −6.7 pts |
| Housing units | 6,591±19 | 3,143,670 | −319 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 3.2%±2.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.2%±3.4 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.9%±3.8 pts | 68.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 21.0%±3.2 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.4%±0.7 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.5%±1.2 pts | 5.6% | – |
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 County building?
Builders took permits for 7 new housing units across Decatur County in 2025 (7 single-family), 0.6 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Decatur County get to work?
83.4% of Decatur County's workers drive alone and 5.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.2%.
| Measure | Decatur County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 50.7%±2.7 pts | 62.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.2%±2.6 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 83.4%±4.0 pts | 75.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.5%±2.9 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.0 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 1.3%±1.0 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.5%±2.0 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.8 min±2.0 | 25.7 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 are Decatur County's census tracts?
Decatur County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $36,415 (Tract 9550.04) to $57,604 (Tract 9550.01).
| Tract 9550.0147039955001 | 2,104±318 | $57,604 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9550.0347039955003 | 2,602±328 | $50,156 |
| Tract 9550.0447039955004 | 2,316±337 | $36,415 |
| Tract 9551.0147039955101 | 1,851±222 | $52,978 |
| Tract 9551.0247039955102 | 2,706±407 | $39,885 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Decatur County compare with Tennessee's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 87th of 95 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 70th of 95 |
| Residents per square mile | 87th of 95 |
| Median household income | 91st of 95 |
| Median home value | 87th of 95 |
| Median gross rent | 71st of 95 |
| Poverty rate | 6th of 95 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 76th of 95 |
| Median age | 18th of 95 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 County 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' school search.