A rebuilt city on the banks of the Tennessee River
“A hard nut to crack.” That is how Confederate Gen. John Bell Hood described the city of Decatur during the Civil War. The city changed hands several times during the war and served as a major combat zone during the Battle of Decatur in 1864, when a small group of Union soldiers prevented the Confederates from crossing the Tennessee River, forcing them west. The city was almost entirely burned down by the end of the war, but over time, it was rebuilt. Hood’s characterization was meant to portray the city as a problem, but its residents embraced the saying as a sign of resilience. Today, the saying is written on a downtown marker along its historical trail. “I love how community-oriented it is here,” says Vanessa Sivley, an agent with Merithouse Realty. “If there is a need, Decatur rises to it.” Today, Decatur is home to 58,000 people, with its hospital and school systems acting as major employers, as well as manufacturers like GE Appliances, the 3M Company and Daikin. About 25 miles from Huntsville, the city sits close to Redstone Arsenal military base and other facilities while celebrating its own history and culture.
Delano Park is only a few minutes from the Tennessee River.
Fairview is only a few minutes from the Tennessee River.
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Victorian-influenced homes in Decatur's historic downtown
The median home price for the city is $250,000, lower than the national median. The city’s historic downtown neighborhoods of Old Decatur and Albany are full of Victorian-influenced homes from the late 1880s and early 1900s. In West Decatur , bungalows and cottages are more prevalent. Homes tend to have higher values on the southern edges of the city in neighborhoods like Burningtree . These neighborhoods are often wooded and feature larger lots and long driveways. There are also some townhouses available throughout the city.
According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, in recent years, the city’s violent crime rates and property crime rates have been higher than state and national figures.
Old Decatur combines historic architecture with modern conveinences.
Some larger Old Decatur homes feature expansive porches.
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Delano Park is the city's "emerald jewel"
Decatur has 28 parks, designed to provide recreation and break up the urban landscape of the city’s downtown. The 28-acre Delano Park, first designed in 1887, remains the historic downtown’s “emerald jewel.” Its features include tennis courts, a rose garden and a sculpture garden. At more than 700 acres, Point Mallard Park contains an 18-hole golf course, a waterpark and campgrounds. It is also used to host events like a reenactment of the Battle for Decatur, held annually over Labor Day weekend. South of Point Mallard is the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, a 35,000-acre reserve that protects 12 endangered or at-risk species, including sandhill cranes. The Festival of the Cranes, a multi-day event celebrating the cranes’ migration, is held each January throughout the city. Decatur also has facilities for youth sports, an archery park and a disc golf course.
Delano Park features a unique rose garden.
Delano Park features a unique playground and sculpture garden.
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Highly rated public schools and the Alabama Center for the Arts
Students are primarily served by Decatur City Schools, though some homes on the city’s outskirts are zoned for Morgan County Schools. Decatur City Schools serves nearly 9,000 students in 18 schools and has an A-minus Niche grade. Decatur High School has an A-minus score and is ranked by Niche as the second-most diverse public high school in the state. Private schools like Decatur Heritage Christian Academy, which has an A-minus grade, are also in the city.
The Alabama Center for the Arts, located on Second Avenue, is a partnership between Athens State University and Calhoun Community College. The center’s goal is to make the typical private arts college experience more affordable; tuition is about one-third the cost of most private arts colleges.
Old Decatur is home to the Carnegie Visual Artsw Center.
Decatur High School is connected to Decatur Middle School via skybridge.
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Carnegie Carnival is a tribute to Mardi Gras
The city’s Old Decatur and Albany downtown neighborhoods are its cultural hubs. The annual Carnegie Carnival is a multi-event celebration akin to Mardi Gras that takes place primarily in these neighborhoods, culminating in a float-filled parade on the Saturday before Fat Tuesday. The celebration benefits the Carnegie Visual Arts Center, a free-to-the-public art gallery that provides education in several subjects through hands-on learning. The Princess Theatre has been open since 1919 and received an Art Deco rejuvenation in 1941, which is how it stands today. The venue mainly hosts concerts. From April to November, the Morgan County-Decatur Farmers Market is active four days a week. Other museums and cultural centers can also be found downtown.
There are several large historic homes in Decatur
Old Decatur is home to Simp McGhee's cajun restaurant.
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A short drive to Huntsville International Airport
State Routes 20 and 67 wrap around the city, and Highway 31 runs through it, connecting drivers with Interstate 565 and Huntsville. The city is also close to I-65, which runs about 85 miles south to Birmingham. According to the 2021-2025 Plan for Decatur Downtown, the city is focused on fixing its city entries, connectors and sidewalks. Huntsville International Airport is about 20 miles northeast. Decatur Morgan Hospital, an affiliate of the Huntsville Health System, has 1,800 professionals across four locations.
Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q invented Alabama white sauce
Decatur is the home of Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q, which invented the now-famous Alabama white sauce in the 1920s. The restaurant’s long-time downtown location still stands, and it added a second location near the Westmead neighborhood in 1992. Most of the city’s upscale restaurants are in Old Decatur. Southern restaurants are common, and several specialize in seafood. 609 Social Market & Provisions serves classic American dishes and holds a fish market from Tuesday to Saturday. On Old Decatur’s Bank Street sit several shops filled with antiques, boutique clothes and jewelry. More shops can be found on Second Avenue.
Big Bob Gibson BBQ in an award winning BBQ restaurant near Flint City.
Big Bob Gibson BBQ in an award winning BBQ restaurant near Old Decatur.
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Decatur residents experience the four seasons
The city experiences four seasons, with hotter summers and milder winters. Sivley says the city can experience snow, though not every year. The city is at a higher-than-average risk of tornadoes. Parts of downtown near the Tennessee River have an increased flood risk.
Bungalows and cottages can be found throughout Old Decatur.
Tanner is bordered on the south by the Tennessee River.
On average, homes in Decatur, AL sell after 76 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Decatur, AL over the last 12 months is $247,313, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
