Lake Decatur stands as the recreational heart of this central Illinois city, providing year-round opportunities for boating, fishing, and waterfront activities. The 2,000 plus acres of parks include standouts like Fairview Park, featuring the scenic Rose Garden, tennis courts, and connected trail systems. Families frequent the Scovill Zoo to see diverse wildlife and ride the Endangered Species Carousel, while the Children's Museum of Illinois engages young minds with interactive exhibits. The Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater hosts outdoor concerts throughout the year, complementing the cultural offerings at Millikin University's Kirkland Fine Arts Center and the historic Lincoln Square Theater.
The housing market in Decatur presents affordable options across diverse neighborhoods. Single family homes in the Country Club area have a median price of $130,000, while Southmoreland commands higher values with a median of $255,000. Cresthaven homes show a median price of $199,000, and Greenlake properties reflect a median of $177,500. The median price for one bedroom condos in Decatur is $48,000, while two bedroom condos command a median of $154,900.
Decatur's cost of living sits 20.6 percent below the national average. A family of four should plan for monthly grocery expenses around $1,500 and housing costs near $1,200. Property taxes in Macon County run at 2.1 percent, slightly higher than Springfield's Sangamon County rate of 1.98 percent. The combined sales tax rate reaches 8.89 percent. St. Teresa High School, rated A by Niche, serves multiple neighborhoods including Martin Luther King and Fans Field. Major employers include Archer Daniels Midland, Caterpillar, and Tate & Lyle, supporting the city's strong manufacturing and agricultural base. The Decatur Public Transit System connects residential areas to commercial centers, while the city's location places it 40 miles from Springfield and 180 miles from Chicago.
