Decatur: Centrally located industry town with affordable homes
Decatur is the seat of Macon County in central Illinois, but the city held a different title in the 20th century: "The Soybean Capital of the World." Companies like A.E. Staley turned the fruits of surrounding farmland into profitable starch and nutrition products, and at one time, over a third of all soybeans grown internationally were processed in the city. As business boomed, the city’s culture reflected the influence of big industry. “Decatur is the original home of the Chicago Bears, but back then they were the Decatur Staleys,” says Dan Gordon, agent with REMAX Realty Associates who sells properties throughout Decatur. “They were one of the biggest employers of the time, and they would play other teams named after their city’s companies. They have big murals downtown with the history of the football team.”
The city’s population trends downward year after year, as Staley and other influential plants like Wagner Castings and Firestone have long since left. But Decatur persists as an industry hub, with ADM’s headquarters and major branches of Caterpillar and Tate & Lyle steadying the job market. The local school district and Memorial Health system are also prevalent, while the Decatur Park District maintains some of the city’s enduring treasures, from its local airport to a 2,800-acre reservoir flush with waterfront amenities.
Southside is a suburban neighborhood that sits in Decatur Illinois.
Bayshore is in Decatur which is located in central Illinois.
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From West end historic homes to South Shore lakefront
The median price for a home in Decatur is $125,000, far beneath the national average. “Our cost of living has stayed extremely low, and you can have more house here for your money than anywhere else in the area,” says Sandy McReynolds, an agent with BHGRE Service First who has sold homes in Decatur for over 50 years. “Champaign and Bloomington are always higher than Decatur.” Options go quickly at an average of 30 days on the market compared to the national average of 44. Though buyers can snag a cottage or bungalow that needs renovations for less than $70,000, the most in-demand options lie in distinct neighborhoods to the west and south. “The West End is west of Millikin [University],” Gordon says. “Each house is slightly different, and they were built in the 1920s and 1930s with lots of brickwork and interesting architectural features.” Sprawling lakefront homes back up to close-knit suburbia in South Shores. “A lot of times outside companies come in and build huge subdivisions, but we’re all local builders in the city itself,” McReynolds says. Tract homes are more common in surrounding communities like Forsyth and Mt. Zion.
Lakefront homes are desirable in the Bayview neighborhood along the undulating lake coast.
West End has many Colonial Homes, especially within the Historic District.
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Recreation along the Lake Decatur waterfront
Though community parks are sprinkled throughout Decatur, its biggest hubs are along the Lake Decatur shoreline. “The city just spent multimillions dredging our lake, and they have a company building dozens of new boat docks,” McReynolds says. “They put in a waterpark a few years ago at Nelson Park and added miniature golf and rope climbing.” Music and cheers often float from the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater. “Even though it’s new, they just had to expand it because it brings so many people,” McReynolds says. “Howard Buffet funded the project and named it after his wife. He has been a major benefactor of our economy.” Other attractions include the Scovill Zoo and the Children’s Museum of Illinois on the lakefront’s southeast side. As a young adult, President Abraham Lincoln settled in Decatur with his family. A replica of the log cabin courthouse where he delivered many of his early political speeches is on display at the Macon County Historical Museum.
Launch your boat, kayak, just minutes from Baker Woods at Staley Basin.
Lake Decatur is a boater's pleasure and wraps one side of the Bayview neighborhood.
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A downtown in transition
Decatur was once a streetcar community, and the Decatur Transfer House’s red, bell-shaped roof is an iconic figure in the heart of downtown. The structure is just shy of Merchant Street, a string-lit historic block that has been home to a slew of restaurants and businesses throughout the city’s history. Though many storefronts are now vacant – both in Decatur and at the Hickory Point Mall to the north in Forsyth – well-established eateries and service providers persist as new initiatives fill the gaps. “The main companies have labs all over and have expanded to even buy a lot of vacant buildings downtown,” McReynolds says. Likewise, grocery chains like Aldi, Kroger and Save-A-Lot have locations at each corner of the city.
Bayshore residents can head to the downtown area to enjoy the local parks.
Catch the latest blockbuster movie at the historic Avon theater in Downtown Decatur.
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Decatur school district and Millikin University
Decatur School District No. 61’s two high schools were extensively renovated in the mid-2010s. The district scores a C from Niche and covers the majority of the city, while students living on the outskirts may be zoned for schools in Mt. Zion, Forsyth or other surrounding areas. Decatur is also home to Millikin University, a private Presbyterian institution known for its performing arts programs, and Richland Community College.
Eisenhower High School scored a C+ Niche rating.
South Shores Elementary School is an excellent school for all types of students.
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Driving about an hour to Springfield, Bloomington-Normal or Champaign
A downtown trolley loops around the heart of Decatur every 15 minutes, while Decatur Public Transit buses stop throughout. Otherwise, the city is largely car dependent. “Our idea of a traffic jam here is you might have to wait the length of a stoplight until it changes,” McReynolds says. "We're one hour from Springfield, one hour from Bloomington-Normal and Illinois State University, and an hour from Champaign and the University of Illinois." The Decatur Airport is home to Illinois Army National Guard facilities. “They just opened to commercial flights too, so you can fly to Chicago and St Louis right from Decatur,” Gordon says.
Tracking crime in Decatur
Decatur's violent and property crime rates trend higher than state and national averages, according to the FBI Crime Data Explorer. However, Decatur Police Department statistics show that property crimes have been on a continuous downward trend over the past decade.
Events and community engagement in Decatur
The Decatur Park District announced the grand return of Hardy’s Highway: Race for the Lake in 2024. Dozens of hydro and flat-bottom boats speed in a loop as Nelson Park onlookers enjoy vendors and live music. “All around us is farmland, and there are farmers markets all over the city and at the college to buy local produce,” McReynolds says. “And there are so many organizations that are very friendly as far as helping people, so many agencies looking out for people here. It’s one of those kinds of towns.”
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