Decatur (Alabama): Difference between revisions

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Pad pepläadon me 'right|175px] [[Magod:Morgan County Alabama.png|right|175px|thumb|Topam in tat: Alabama. '''Decatur''' binon zif in komot: Morgan, in tat: Alabama,...'
Lien 1:
[[Magod:DecShadeNew21.jpg|right|175px]
[[Magod:{| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin:0.9em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" width="300px" align="right" style="border: 1em solid white")
[[Magod:Morgan County Alabama.png|right|175px|thumb|Topam in tat: Alabama.]]
<caption><font size="+1">'''Decatur, Alabama'''</font></caption>
'''Decatur''' binon zif in komot: Morgan, in tat: [[Alabama]], in [[Lamerikän]].
|-
| align="center" colspan=2 | [[Image:P4150170.JPG|thumb|center|190px]]
|-
| align="center" colspan=2 | <font size="-1">City [[List of city nicknames in the United States|nickname]]: "[[River City|The River City]]"
|-
| align="center" colspan=2 | [[Image:DecShadeNew21.jpg|137px]] [[Image:Morgan County Alabama.png|160px]]<br>Location in [[Morgan County, Alabama]]
|-
| [[County (United States)|County]]
| [[Morgan County, Alabama|Morgan County]] <br> [[Limestone County, Alabama|Limestone County]]
|-
| [[Area]]<br>&nbsp;- Total<br>&nbsp;- Water
| <br>155.1 [[km²]]; (53.4 mi²) <br>16.8 km² (6.5 mi²) 10.83%
|-
| [[Population]]<br>&nbsp;- Total ([[2005]])<br>&nbsp;- [[Decatur Metropolitan Area|Metropolitan]]
| <br>54,909<ref name=popest2>{{cite web | year = [[June 21]] [[2006]] | url = http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-04-01.csv | title = Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Alabama | format = [[Comma-separated values|CSV]] | work = 2005 Population Estimates | publisher = U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division | accessdate = November 9 | accessyear = 2006}}</ref> <br>149,629 <br>
|-
| [[Time zone]]
| [[Central Standard Time Zone|Central]]: [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]&ndash;6
|-
| [[Mayor]]
| Don Kyle
|-
| align="center" colspan=2 | [http://www.digitaldecatur.com/ City website]
|}
 
'''Decatur, Alabama''' is the county seat of [[Morgan County, Alabama|Morgan County]] and sits along the shores of the [[Tennessee River]] in [[North Alabama]]. Decatur is also the core city of the two-county large [[Decatur Metropolitan Area]]. As of the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, Decatur has a population of 54,909.<ref name=popest2/>
 
Sürfat ela Decatur binon 44 km².
Decatur is also the second largest core city of the [[Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area]], which includes the two metro areas of Decatur and [[Huntsville, Alabama]]. The two cities are sometimes referred to as ''[[Twin cities|Twin Cities]]'', or ''Sister Cities''. Both municipalities provide vital resources to each other, and their respective metropolitan areas. Each are important to the economy of the entire region and the well-being of its residents.
 
==History==
Initially the area was known as Rhodes Ferry, named after a ferry that crossed the [[Tennessee River]] in the 1810s at the present-day location of Rhodes Ferry Park. The city was incorporated as Albany in the year [[1821]]. It was named in honor of [[Stephen Decatur]]; after he was killed in a duel in 1820, President Monroe directed that the Alabama town be named for him.
 
Decatur labon belödanis 113 740.
Decatur was a very important point in [[North Alabama]] during its earliest days. Decatur was the eastern terminus of the [[Decatur-Courtland-Tuscumbia Railroad]] (in the late 1820s and early 1830s), the first railway built west of the Appalachian Mountains.
 
Because of its location on the strategic [[Memphis & Charleston Railroad]], Decatur was the site of several encounters during the [[American Civil War]]. All but three buildings were burned down during the [[1864]] [[Battle of Decatur]], when Decatur was referred to as ''A Tough Nut To Crack''. The three that remained are the [[State Bank Building, Decatur Branch (Old State Bank)|Old State Bank]], Dancy-Polk House, and the [[Rhea-McEntire House]].
 
During the [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] occupation of Decatur, the plans for the [[Battle of Shiloh]] were mapped out within the Rhea-McEntire House. These activities made the house one of the most historic buildings in Decatur.
 
New Decatur was a city that rose out of the ashes of former Decatur west of the railroad tracks. New Decatur was founded in [[1887]] and incorporated in [[1889]] across the tracks from Albany. In the early 1900s the two cities melded to form one City of Decatur. There is a noticeable difference between the two sides of town. The cities developed differently at different times, and still to this day have somewhat different cultures. Eastern portions of Decatur tend to act more suburban and traditional, while western portions tend to look more metropolitan and contemporary.
 
The [[State Bank Building, Decatur Branch (Old State Bank)|Old State Bank]], on the edge of downtown, is the oldest bank building in the State of [[Alabama]], at 173 years old. The first wave pool in the [[United States]] was built here and is still in operation at the [[Point Mallard Aquatic Center]]. Decatur has the largest [[Victorian era]] home district in the state of Alabama. Decatur is also home to Alabama's oldest opera house, the ([[Cotaco Opera House]]), which still stands on Johnston Street.
 
In the past its industries included repair shops of the [[Louisville and Nashville Railroad]], car works, engine works, engine works, tannery, bottling plants, and manufacturers of lumber, sashes and blinds, fertilizers, cigars, flour, cottonseed oil, and various other products.
 
===Historical Timeline===
*Area founded as Rhodes Ferry in 1810s.
*Rhodes Ferry incorporated as Albany in [[1821]].
*Dancy-Polk House erected in [[1829]].
*Also in [[1829]]-[[1830]], Decatur became the home to the first railroad ever built west of the Appalachian Mountains [[Tuscumbia-Courtland-Decatur Railroad]].
*[[State Bank Building, Decatur Branch (Old State Bank)|Old State Bank]] erected on July 29, [[1833]].
*[[Rhea-McEntire House]] built in [[1836]].
*[[Battle of Decatur]] takes place during the [[American Civil War]] in November, [[1864]].
*Decatur's [[Victorian Era]] Home District built between [[1870]] and [[1910]]
*New Decatur founded in [[1887]], incorporated in [[1889]].
*[[Princess Theatre, Decatur|Princess Theatre]] built in [[1919]].
*Albany Decatur, and New Decatur merge in [[1927]].
*President [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt]] dedicates [[Delano Park (Decatur)|Delano Park]] in 1930s.
*[[TVA]] brings new business to Decatur through the military, and energy management in the 1930s.
 
==Climate==
Decatur experiences a [[humid subtropical climate]], with hot, humid summers and a generally mild winter. Temperatures range from 101.0 °F (31.6 C) in the summer to 49.0°F (9.4 C) during winter. The city rarely experiences [[tornado]]es during the spring and fall. But, significant severe weather does occur from time to time in the active seasons. The most significant tornado event included the [[Super Outbreak]] in 1974, while the city was largely unaffected by the more recent [[Huntsville, Alabama Tornado]] in [[1989]] that killed 21 and injured almost 500. [[Hurricanes]] are rare since Decatur sits nearly 300 miles inland from the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. Though a few tropical system do track through the central [[Tennessee Valley]], they rarely inflict much damage on the city. Winters usually don't produce measurable snow; a large amount of snow is rare within the city limits. A measurable amount of snow can sometimes be experienced every three or four years.
 
==Geography==
The Morgan County portion of Decatur is surrounded by water on two sides. The [[Tennessee River]] is a northern border, while Flint Creek serves as a border between Decatur and [[Priceville, Alabama|Priceville]]. There is also an inlet that extends one mile into the city limits from [[Wheeler Lake]] called Dry Branch.
 
The northern portion of Decatur sits on top of a short hill that overlooks the Tennessee River, this creates a very steep dropoff to the river shore a Rhodes Ferry Park. This hill allows the [[Captain William J. Hudson "Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridge|"Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridge]] to leave the mainland at grade without any major sloping required more height to cross the river while not interfering with Decatur's heavy barge traffic. This hill extends from the banks of the river about 1.5 miles south to the 14th St./Magnolia St. intersection with 6th Avenue ([[US 31]]).
 
South past the 14th St. and 6th Ave. intersection, land continues to remain flat. South, and also west, past [[State Route 67 (Alabama)|Alabama 67]] there are a few minor mountains that sit within the city limits.
 
Decatur is located at {{coor dms|34|34|52|N|86|59|0|W|city}} (34.580992, -86.983392){{GR|1}}.
 
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 155.1 [[km²]] (59.9 [[square mile|mi²]]). 138.3 km² (53.4 mi²) of it is land and 16.8 km² (6.5 mi²) of it (10.83%) is water.
 
{{MorCoMun}}
 
===Bodies of water===
 
*'''[[Wheeler Lake]]'''
*'''[[Tennessee River]]'''
*'''[[Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge]]'''
*'''[[Flint Creek]]'''
 
===Nearby suburbs===
 
*[[Moulton Heights, Alabama|Moulton Heights]]
*[[Priceville, Alabama|Priceville]]
*[[Trinity, Alabama|Trinity]]
*[[Somerville, Alabama|Somerville]]
*[[Danville, Alabama|Danville]]
*[[Tanner, Alabama|Tanner]]
*[[Burningtree Mountain, Alabama|Burningtree Mountain]]
 
===Neighboring cities/towns===
 
*[[Hartselle, Alabama|Hartselle]] (south) - Morgan County
*[[Huntsville, Alabama|Huntsville]] (northeast) - Madison County
*[[Priceville, Alabama|Priceville]] (east) - Morgan County
*[[Mooresville, Alabama|Mooresville]] (northeast) - Limestone County
*[[Trinity, Alabama|Trinity]] (northwest) - Morgan County
 
==Demographics==
As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 53,929 people, 21,824 households, and 14,753 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 389.9/km² (1,009.7/mi²). There were 23,950 housing units at an average density of 173.1/km² (448.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.50% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 19.56% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.58% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.70% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.13% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.22% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.33% from two or more races. 5.64% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.
 
There were 21,824 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.99.
 
In the city the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.
 
The median income for a household in the city was $37,192, and the median income for a family was $47,574. Males had a median income of $37,108 versus $22,471 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $20,431. About 11.9% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 21.2% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.
 
*'''Population'''
 
In [[1890]], 2,765 people lived in Decatur, Alabama; in [[1900]], 3,114; in [[1910]], 4,228; and in [[1940]], 16,604{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city was 53,929. As of the [[2004]] census estimation, the population was 54,528. The city is the [[county seat]] of [[Morgan County, Alabama|Morgan County]]{{GR|6}}. In [[1900]], 4,457 people lived in New Decatur, Alabama; in [[1910]], 6,118. The two cities have melded.
 
== Economy ==
[[image:alabama-map2.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
Decatur has grown to be the busiest river port on the Tennessee River. The [[Port of Decatur]] sees large amounts of barge traffic from up and down the Tennessee River, which has led to twenty [[Fortune 500]] companies opening plants in the city.
 
Decatur is also known as the "Home of [[Meow Mix]]", after the company bought a 200,000 square foot facility in town, and now utilizes its riverfront property to ship the finished product up and down the Tennessee River.
 
The future is bright for Decatur's economy. Being part of the [[Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area|Huntsville-Decatur CSA]], the city lies within the region having the most engineers per person in the nation. This makes for one of, if not the most, educated regions in [[Alabama]], thus stimulating the economy and growth of the city and region.
 
A recent BRAC Base realignment will bring a population conservatively estimated at 5,000&ndash;10,000 people (not including their families) to the area surrounding [[Redstone Arsenal]].
 
[[Image:Delta IV Medium Rocket DSCS.jpg|thumb|200px|Delta IV Medium launch carrying DSCS III-B6]]
 
Recent approval of the [[United Launch Alliance]] will combine [[Lockheed-Martin]] and [[Boeing]]'s rocket manufacturing contracts and send them to a central location at the plant in Decatur. All satellite launching rockets used by the U.S. government will be built in Decatur. This approval will bring an estimated 230 new jobs to the Decatur area. The ULA plant utilizes the Tennessee River to ship the rockets to [[Cape Canaveral]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/061004/ula.shtml| title = FTC Gives Approval | date = 10-03-2006 | publisher = Decatur Daily Newspaper }}</ref>
 
Shopping locations are expected to increase in coming years after the approval of a 32 (possible) store shopping center call named "The Crossings At Decatur," which will be located at the corner of Beltline Road and 6th Avenue<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/060628/target.shtml| title = Read to do Business | date = 06-28-2006 | publisher = Decatur Daily Newspaper }}</ref>. A number of stores have also increased the current store population in Decatur's lone mall, [[Colonial Mall Decatur]].
 
In 2002, the City of Decatur was recognized as one of the top 50 cities in the United States for manufacturing expansion.
 
===Major Employers===
 
*[[3M]]
*[[Boeing Integrated Defense Systems]]
**[[United Launch Alliance]]
*[[BP]]
**Manufactures [[p-Xylene|Paraxylene]] and [[Terephthalic acid|Purified Terephthalic Acid]]
*[[Bunge International]]
*[[Daikin]] America
*[[Decatur City Schools]]
*[[General Electric]]
*[[Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company|Goodyear]]
*[[Meow Mix]]
*[[Nucor]]
*[[Solutia]]
*[[Tennessee Valley Authority]]
*[[MPW Industrial Services]]
 
[[image:rivers.jpg|thumb|right|350px|View of Balloons Inflating At The [[Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic|Alabama Jubilee]]]]
[[image:saxes-4.jpg|thumb|right|350px|View of [[Old State Bank]]]]
 
===Tourism===
Tourism is a major part of Decatur's economy. Hundreds of thousands of people from in and out of town, and from many other countries and territories, attend some of the premier festivals in the South. <ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.decaturcvb.org/Pages/Festivals/fest.html| title = Festivals and celebrations | date = 2006 | publisher = Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau }}</ref>
 
The [[Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic|Alabama Jubilee]] is the oldest hot air balloon race in the South. With visiting populations rising into 75,000, people crowd around numerous seven story tall inflating balloons. Because of the [[Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic|Alabama Jubilee]], Decatur has been named "The Ballooning Capital of [[Alabama]]" by the Alabama State Legislature.
 
The [[Spirit of America Festival]] is one of the largest free [[Independence Day (United States)|4th of July]] festivals in the south. More than 65,000 people arrive in Decatur to watch annual celebrations and the Miss Point Mallard Beauty Pageant.
 
[[Riverfest]] is a celebration sponsored by the Decatur [[Jaycees]]. Set at [[Rhodes Ferry Park]], along the beautiful [[Tennessee River]], barbecuers come from all over the country to try their luck at beating [[Big Bob Gibson's]] Barbecue, the seven-time world champion winner.
 
Another big celebration in Decatur and [[North Alabama]], the [[Racking Horse World Celebration]], attracts numerous horses from around the world to compete in the largest racking horse competition. Set in the Racking Horse World Celebration Arena, the celebration draws up to 75,000 fans and competitors each year.
 
===Parks and celebrations===
[[Image:DelRose4.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Replica of historic structure in the re-constructed Rose Garden in [[Delano Park (Decatur)|Delano Park]]]]
*'''[[Delano Park (Decatur)|Delano Park]]'''
 
*'''[[Point Mallard Park]]
**'''[[Point Mallard Aquatic Center|J. Gilmer Blackburn Aquatic Center]]'''
***"Home of America's first wave pool"
 
*'''[[Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic|Alabama Jubilee]]'''
 
*'''[[Spirit of America Festival]]'''
 
*'''[[Riverfest]]'''
 
*'''[[Racking Horse World Celebration Arena]]'''
 
==Media==
===Newspapers===
 
The ''[[Decatur Daily]]'' has been the only major newspaper based in the [[Decatur Metropolitan Area]] since [[1912]], and the one of the only family owned newspapers in [[Alabama]]. It has an average daily circulation of 20,824 and a Sunday circulation of 23,840. The paper's circulation area includes [[Morgan County, Alabama|Morgan County]], [[Lawrence County, Alabama|Lawrence County]], [[Cullman County, Alabama|Cullman County]], and southern portions of [[Limestone County, Alabama|Limestone]].
 
[http://www.al.com/huntsvilletimes ''The Huntsville Times''] is the only other newspaper with a larger circulation in the [[Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area]], and has been in circulation since 1996 to most area counties, when the ''Huntsville News'' closed. Before then, the ''News'' was the morning paper, and the ''Times'' was the afternoon paper. After the ''News'' closed, the ''Times'' remained an afternoon paper until 2004.
 
==Transportation==
 
===Air Transport===
 
Decatur is served by two major airports. The [[Huntsville International Airport]], in suburban [[Huntsville, Alabama|Huntsville]] is the second busiest airport in Alabama, behind [[Birmingham International Airport]]. The city is also served by the busiest regional airport in Alabama, the [[Pryor Field Regional Airport]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/061001/hub.shtml | title = Rivers, rails, roads, and air | date = 2006-10-01 | publisher = Decatur Daily Newspaper}}</ref>
 
===Roadways===
 
[[Image:STMBTBLBridge.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Captain William J. Hudson "Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridges]]]]
Decatur, being only a mid-sized city, has not yet seen the conveniences of a major controlled access highway passing through the city limits.
 
Decatur's main thoroughfares are 6th Avenue ([[US 31]]) and [[The Beltline (Decatur)|The Beltline]] ([[State Route 67 (Alabama)|State Route 67]]). 6th Avenue begins as both Alabama 20, [[Alternate U.S. 72]], and US 31 split after being carried by the twin-span [["Steamboat Bill" Hudson Memorial Bridge]] that crosses [[Tennessee River]] at the north central part of town. Alabama 20/Alternate U.S. 72 continues west towards [[The Shoals]], after the Beltline begins in the vicinity of the [[Solutia]] plant. 6th Avenue continues southward where it eventually intersects with Beltline Road. After that intersection, 6th Avenue continues southward to Birmingham as Decatur Highway.
 
[[The Beltline (Decatur)|The Beltline]] was built as a western bypass to relieve congestion on 6th Avenue. In doing so, however, this created another problem as sprawl quickly developed along the new arterial. Construction is currently under way to widen the road from four to six lanes with the project expected to be completed by 2010.
 
===Major Highways===
 
*[[Image:I-65.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 65]]
*[[Image:I-565.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 565]]
*[[Image:US 31.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 31]]
*[[Image:Alternate plate.svg|20px]]<br>[[Image:US 72.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 72 Alternate]]
*[[Image:Alabama 20.svg|20px]] [[State Route 20 (Alabama)|Alabama 20]]
*[[Image:Alabama 24.svg|20px]] [[State Route 24 (Alabama)|Alabama 24]]
*[[Image:Alabama 67.svg|20px]] [[State Route 67 (Alabama)|Alabama 67]]
 
===Busiest Intersections===
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Rank
! Intersection
! Traffic Per Day
|-
| 1
| 6th Avenue ([[US 31]])<br>[[Alabama State Route 20|Alabama 20]]<br>[[U.S. Route 72 Alternate|Alternate US 72]]
| align=right | 45,000
|-
| 2
| [[The Beltline (Decatur)|The Beltline]] ([[Alabama State Route 67|Alabama 67]]<br>Spring Avenue SW
| align=right | 38,000
|-
| 3
| 6th Avenue (US 31)<br>Stratford Road SE
| align=right| 34,000
|-
| 4
| The Beltline<br>Betty Street<br>Westmead Street
| align=right| 31,000
|}
 
===Improvements===
 
Plans are also under way to construct a controlled access beltway from [[Interstate 65]] south of the city to [[Alternate U.S. 72]] in [[Lawrence County, Alabama|Lawrence County]], known as ''Veteran's Parkway''.
 
In addition, there are plans to transform Alabama Highway 20/Alternate US 72 into an extension of [[Interstate 565]] into the city. Governor [[Bob Riley (Alabama)|Bob Riley]] has said he will make sure that plans for the road will be put on the fast track, since more than 85 wrecks occur on the 1.5 mile stretch of dangerous highway each year.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/050613/roads.shtml| title = 3-year transit plan | date = 06-05-2005 | publisher = Decatur Daily Newspaper }}</ref>
 
== Education ==
The [[Decatur City Schools|Decatur City School System]] is well regarded throughout the nation. Both of the city's high schools (Decatur High School and Austin High School) have been awarded the ''Safe Schools Award'' for the past two years that it has been presented in the State of Alabama. The two schools are the only ones in the state to have won this award both years. With the addition of the International Baccalaureate Program to Austin and Decatur High Schools, Decatur has become the first Alabama school system north of Birmingham and one of five in the state to offer the honors program for juniors and seniors (as of July 2006).
 
All high school football and soccer teams compete in the 9,000 seat [[Ogle Stadium]]. Indoor track meets are held at the 10,000 seat [[Racking Horse World Celebration Arena]].
 
However, both Austin and Decatur failed to make adequate yearly progress in 2006 as mandated in the No Child Left Behind Act. The state said Austin's 86 percent graduation rate was four points too low.
 
Decatur High missed in two categories: percent of special education students the system tested in reading and percent tested in math. The graduate rate was 76 percent. However the graduation rate is unreliable since students who move to different schools are considered "dropouts" and this drastically distorts the figures of how many students actually graduate. The official percentage of graduating students at Decatur High is 98%.
 
The only institution of higher education located within the Decatur city limits is [http://www.calhoun.cc.al.us/ Calhoun Community College ]. It has three campuses; the main campus is in Decatur.
 
==Local Elementary and Middle Schools==
*[[Chestnut Grove Elementary]]
*[[Austinville Elementary School]]
*[[Benjamin Davis Elementary School]]
*[[Julian Harris Elementary]]
*[[Cedar Ridge Middle School]]
*[[Brookhaven Middle School]]
*[[Oak Park Middle School]]
 
===Local Higher Education===
*[[Athens State University]]
*[[Calhoun Community College|Calhoun Community College System]]
**[[Calhoun Community College at Decatur|Calhoun Decatur Campus]]
**[[Calhoun Community College at Redstone Arsenal|Calhoun Redstone Arsenal Campus]]
**[[Calhoun Community College at Cummings Research Park|Calhoun Huntsville/Cummings Research Park Campus]]
*[[University of Alabama in Huntsville]]
 
==Nicknames==
*'''The River City''' - So named because of the Tennessee River that flows on the northern edge of town and that inspires festivals and culture in the city.
*'''The Chicago of the South''' - Given to Decatur after Delano Park was created following President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's visit to Decatur after the creation of [[TVA]], because the city was to be, and is, a hub for the commercial activity that followed TVA's introduction to the [[Tennessee Valley]].
*'''"Ballooning Capital of Alabama"''' - Bestowed by the Alabama Legislature because of the annual [[Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic|Alabama Jubilee]], which brings over 70 [[hot air balloon]]s to [[Point Mallard Park]].
*'''The Heart of the Valley''' - Because of Decatur's location at the very center of the Alabama portion of the [[Tennessee River]] and Tennessee Valley.
*'''"Home of America's First Wave Pool"''' - Decatur is home to the first [[wave pool]] ever built in the United States at the popular [[Point Mallard Aquatic Center]].
*'''"Home of [[Meow Mix]]"''' - Decatur is home to one of the Meow Mix production facilities, and a sign reading "Decatur: Home of Meow Mix" is visible on one of the city's buildings from the Tennessee River bridge.
*'''D-Rock''' - nickname given by high school students inside Decatur. Many people outside of Decatur also refer to the city with this nickname.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/opinion/letters/060628.shtml| title = The overcome negatives, focus on positives | date = 06-28-2006 | publisher = Decatur Daily Newspaper }}</ref>
*'''A Grand City on a Charming Scale''' - slogan used by city leaders and citizens.
 
==Famous Decaturites==
*[[Joseph Abbott (Texas politician)|Joseph Abbott]], Texas politician.
*[[Mae C. Jemison]], first African American woman in space.
*[[Dean Jones (actor)|Dean Jones]], actor.
*[[Lucas Black]], actor.
*[[Philip Rivers]], football player.
*[[Charles Redding Pitt]], United States Attorney for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama; private lawyer; Democratic politician
*[[John O'Sullivan (columnist)|John O'Sullivan]], conservative [[columnist]] and [[pundit]].
*[[Gary Knotts]], baseball player
 
==See also==
* [[Decatur Metropolitan Area]]
* [[Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area]]
* [[Morgan County, AL|Morgan County]]
* [[North Alabama]]
* [[Point Mallard Park]] - [[Point Mallard Aquatic Center|Aquatic Center]]
* [[Tennessee River]]
* [[Stephen Decatur, Jr.]]
* [[Wheeler Lake]]
* [[Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge]]
 
==References==
<div class="references-small">
* [[George R. Stewart]]. ''Names on the Land''. Houghton Mifflin Company: Boston (1967).
<references/>
</div>
 
==External links==
* Official City Website: [http://www.digitaldecatur.com DigitalDecatur]
* Official City Tourist Website: [http://www.decaturalabamausa.com/ Decatur, Alabama, USA]
* [http://www.decaturmorgancounty.com/ Official Decatur-Morgan County Website]
* [http://www.decaturcvb.org/ Decatur Convention & Visitor's Bureau]
* [http://www.dcc.org/ Decatur Morgan County Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.dcs.edu/ Decatur City Schools]
* [http://www.decatursports.com/ Decatur Sports]
* [http://www.decaturparks.com/ Decatur Parks and Recreation]
* [http://www.villageprofile.com/alabama/decatur/main.html/ Decatur's Village Profile]
* [http://www.mceda.org/home.htm Morgan County Economic Development Association]
{{Mapit-US-cityscale|34.580992|-86.983392}}
{{Huntsville Radio}}
{{Huntsville-Decatur Metropolitan Area}}
{{Alabama}}
 
[[Category:Decatur, Alabama| ]]
[[Category:Morgan County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Limestone County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Cities in Alabama]]
[[Category:Decatur Metropolitan Area]]
[[Category:Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area]]
[[Category:County seats in Alabama]]
[[Category:Port cities in the United States]]
 
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[[sv:Decatur]]
[[uk:Декейтер (Алабама)|175px|thumb|right|Topam in tat: Arizona.]]
'''Decatur''' binon zif in komot: border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin:0.9em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" width="300px" align="right" style="border: 1em solid white")
<caption><font size="+1">'''Decatur, Alabama'''</font></caption>
|-
| align="center" colspan=2 | [[Image:P4150170.JPG|thumb|center|190px, in tat: [[Alabama]], in [[Lamerikän]].
 
Sürfat ela Decatur binon {| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin:0,9em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" width="300px" align="right" style="border: 1em solid white")
<caption><font size="+1">'''Decatur, Alabama'''</font></caption>
|-
| align="center" colspan=2 | [[Image:P4150170.JPG|thumb|center|190px]]
|-
| align="center" colspan=2 | <font size="-1">City [[List of city nicknames in the United States|nickname]]: "[[River City|The River City]]"
|-
| align="center" colspan=2 | [[Image:DecShadeNew21.jpg|137px]] [[Image:Morgan County Alabama.png|160px]]<br>Location in [[Morgan County, Alabama]]
|-
| [[County (United States)|County]]
| [[Morgan County, Alabama|Morgan County]] <br> [[Limestone County, Alabama|Limestone County]]
|-
| [[Area]]<br>&nbsp;- Total<br>&nbsp;- Water
| <br>155.1 [[km²]]; (53.4 mi²) <br>16.8 km² (6.5 mi²) 10.83%
|-
| [[Population]]<br>&nbsp;- Total ([[2005]])<br>&nbsp;- [[Decatur Metropolitan Area|Metropolitan]]
| <br>54,909<ref name=popest2>{{cite web | year = [[June 21]] [[2006]] | url = http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-04-01.csv | title = Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Alabama | format = [[Comma-separated values|CSV]] | work = 2005 Population Estimates | publisher = U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division | accessdate = November 9 | accessyear = 2006}}</ref> <br>149,629 <br>
|-
| [[Time zone]]
| [[Central Standard Time Zone|Central]]: [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]&ndash;6
|-
| [[Mayor]]
| Don Kyle
|-
| align="center" colspan=2 | [http://www.digitaldecatur.com/ City website]
|}
 
'''Decatur, Alabama''' is the county seat of [[Morgan County, Alabama|Morgan County]] and sits along the shores of the [[Tennessee River]] in [[North Alabama]]. Decatur is also the core city of the two-county large [[Decatur Metropolitan Area]]. As of the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, Decatur has a population of 54,909.<ref name=popest2/>
 
Decatur is also the second largest core city of the [[Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area]], which includes the two metro areas of Decatur and [[Huntsville, Alabama]]. The two cities are sometimes referred to as ''[[Twin cities|Twin Cities]]'', or ''Sister Cities''. Both municipalities provide vital resources to each other, and their respective metropolitan areas. Each are important to the economy of the entire region and the well-being of its residents.
 
==History==
Initially the area was known as Rhodes Ferry, named after a ferry that crossed the [[Tennessee River]] in the 1810s at the present-day location of Rhodes Ferry Park. The city was incorporated as Albany in the year [[1821]]. It was named in honor of [[Stephen Decatur]]; after he was killed in a duel in 1820, President Monroe directed that the Alabama town be named for him.
 
Decatur was a very important point in [[North Alabama]] during its earliest days. Decatur was the eastern terminus of the [[Decatur-Courtland-Tuscumbia Railroad]] (in the late 1820s and early 1830s), the first railway built west of the Appalachian Mountains.
 
Because of its location on the strategic [[Memphis & Charleston Railroad]], Decatur was the site of several encounters during the [[American Civil War]]. All but three buildings were burned down during the [[1864]] [[Battle of Decatur]], when Decatur was referred to as ''A Tough Nut To Crack''. The three that remained are the [[State Bank Building, Decatur Branch (Old State Bank)|Old State Bank]], Dancy-Polk House, and the [[Rhea-McEntire House]].
 
During the [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] occupation of Decatur, the plans for the [[Battle of Shiloh]] were mapped out within the Rhea-McEntire House. These activities made the house one of the most historic buildings in Decatur.
 
New Decatur was a city that rose out of the ashes of former Decatur west of the railroad tracks. New Decatur was founded in [[1887]] and incorporated in [[1889]] across the tracks from Albany. In the early 1900s the two cities melded to form one City of Decatur. There is a noticeable difference between the two sides of town. The cities developed differently at different times, and still to this day have somewhat different cultures. Eastern portions of Decatur tend to act more suburban and traditional, while western portions tend to look more metropolitan and contemporary.
 
The [[State Bank Building, Decatur Branch (Old State Bank)|Old State Bank]], on the edge of downtown, is the oldest bank building in the State of [[Alabama]], at 173 years old. The first wave pool in the [[United States]] was built here and is still in operation at the [[Point Mallard Aquatic Center]]. Decatur has the largest [[Victorian era]] home district in the state of Alabama. Decatur is also home to Alabama's oldest opera house, the ([[Cotaco Opera House]]), which still stands on Johnston Street.
 
In the past its industries included repair shops of the [[Louisville and Nashville Railroad]], car works, engine works, engine works, tannery, bottling plants, and manufacturers of lumber, sashes and blinds, fertilizers, cigars, flour, cottonseed oil, and various other products.
 
===Historical Timeline===
*Area founded as Rhodes Ferry in 1810s.
*Rhodes Ferry incorporated as Albany in [[1821]].
*Dancy-Polk House erected in [[1829]].
*Also in [[1829]]-[[1830]], Decatur became the home to the first railroad ever built west of the Appalachian Mountains [[Tuscumbia-Courtland-Decatur Railroad]].
*[[State Bank Building, Decatur Branch (Old State Bank)|Old State Bank]] erected on July 29, [[1833]].
*[[Rhea-McEntire House]] built in [[1836]].
*[[Battle of Decatur]] takes place during the [[American Civil War]] in November, [[1864]].
*Decatur's [[Victorian Era]] Home District built between [[1870]] and [[1910]]
*New Decatur founded in [[1887]], incorporated in [[1889]].
*[[Princess Theatre, Decatur|Princess Theatre]] built in [[1919]].
*Albany Decatur, and New Decatur merge in [[1927]].
*President [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt]] dedicates [[Delano Park (Decatur)|Delano Park]] in 1930s.
*[[TVA]] brings new business to Decatur through the military, and energy management in the 1930s.
 
==Climate==
Decatur experiences a [[humid subtropical climate]], with hot, humid summers and a generally mild winter. Temperatures range from 101.0 °F (31.6 C) in the summer to 49.0°F (9.4 C) during winter. The city rarely experiences [[tornado]]es during the spring and fall. But, significant severe weather does occur from time to time in the active seasons. The most significant tornado event included the [[Super Outbreak]] in 1974, while the city was largely unaffected by the more recent [[Huntsville, Alabama Tornado]] in [[1989]] that killed 21 and injured almost 500. [[Hurricanes]] are rare since Decatur sits nearly 300 miles inland from the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. Though a few tropical system do track through the central [[Tennessee Valley]], they rarely inflict much damage on the city. Winters usually don't produce measurable snow; a large amount of snow is rare within the city limits. A measurable amount of snow can sometimes be experienced every three or four years.
 
==Geography==
The Morgan County portion of Decatur is surrounded by water on two sides. The [[Tennessee River]] is a northern border, while Flint Creek serves as a border between Decatur and [[Priceville, Alabama|Priceville]]. There is also an inlet that extends one mile into the city limits from [[Wheeler Lake]] called Dry Branch.
 
The northern portion of Decatur sits on top of a short hill that overlooks the Tennessee River, this creates a very steep dropoff to the river shore a Rhodes Ferry Park. This hill allows the [[Captain William J. Hudson "Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridge|"Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridge]] to leave the mainland at grade without any major sloping required more height to cross the river while not interfering with Decatur's heavy barge traffic. This hill extends from the banks of the river about 1.5 miles south to the 14th St./Magnolia St. intersection with 6th Avenue ([[US 31]]).
 
South past the 14th St. and 6th Ave. intersection, land continues to remain flat. South, and also west, past [[State Route 67 (Alabama)|Alabama 67]] there are a few minor mountains that sit within the city limits.
 
Decatur is located at {{coor dms|34|34|52|N|86|59|0|W|city}} (34.580992, -86.983392){{GR|1}}.
 
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 155.1 [[km²]] (59.9 [[square mile|mi²]]). 138.3 km² (53.4 mi²) of it is land and 16.8 km² (6.5 mi²) of it (10.83%) is water.
 
{{MorCoMun}}
 
===Bodies of water===
 
*'''[[Wheeler Lake]]'''
*'''[[Tennessee River]]'''
*'''[[Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge]]'''
*'''[[Flint Creek]]'''
 
===Nearby suburbs===
 
*[[Moulton Heights, Alabama|Moulton Heights]]
*[[Priceville, Alabama|Priceville]]
*[[Trinity, Alabama|Trinity]]
*[[Somerville, Alabama|Somerville]]
*[[Danville, Alabama|Danville]]
*[[Tanner, Alabama|Tanner]]
*[[Burningtree Mountain, Alabama|Burningtree Mountain]]
 
===Neighboring cities/towns===
 
*[[Hartselle, Alabama|Hartselle]] (south) - Morgan County
*[[Huntsville, Alabama|Huntsville]] (northeast) - Madison County
*[[Priceville, Alabama|Priceville]] (east) - Morgan County
*[[Mooresville, Alabama|Mooresville]] (northeast) - Limestone County
*[[Trinity, Alabama|Trinity]] (northwest) - Morgan County
 
==Demographics==
As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 53,929 people, 21,824 households, and 14,753 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 389.9/km² (1,009.7/mi²). There were 23,950 housing units at an average density of 173.1/km² (448.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.50% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 19.56% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.58% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.70% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.13% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.22% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.33% from two or more races. 5.64% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.
 
There were 21,824 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.99.
 
In the city the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.
 
The median income for a household in the city was $37,192, and the median income for a family was $47,574. Males had a median income of $37,108 versus $22,471 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $20,431. About 11.9% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 21.2% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.
 
*'''Population'''
 
In [[1890]], 2,765 people lived in Decatur, Alabama; in [[1900]], 3,114; in [[1910]], 4,228; and in [[1940]], 16,604{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city was 53,929. As of the [[2004]] census estimation, the population was 54,528. The city is the [[county seat]] of [[Morgan County, Alabama|Morgan County]]{{GR|6}}. In [[1900]], 4,457 people lived in New Decatur, Alabama; in [[1910]], 6,118. The two cities have melded.
 
== Economy ==
[[image:alabama-map2.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
Decatur has grown to be the busiest river port on the Tennessee River. The [[Port of Decatur]] sees large amounts of barge traffic from up and down the Tennessee River, which has led to twenty [[Fortune 500]] companies opening plants in the city.
 
Decatur is also known as the "Home of [[Meow Mix]]", after the company bought a 200,000 square foot facility in town, and now utilizes its riverfront property to ship the finished product up and down the Tennessee River.
 
The future is bright for Decatur's economy. Being part of the [[Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area|Huntsville-Decatur CSA]], the city lies within the region having the most engineers per person in the nation. This makes for one of, if not the most, educated regions in [[Alabama]], thus stimulating the economy and growth of the city and region.
 
A recent BRAC Base realignment will bring a population conservatively estimated at 5,000&ndash;10,000 people (not including their families) to the area surrounding [[Redstone Arsenal]].
 
[[Image:Delta IV Medium Rocket DSCS.jpg|thumb|200px|Delta IV Medium launch carrying DSCS III-B6]]
 
Recent approval of the [[United Launch Alliance]] will combine [[Lockheed-Martin]] and [[Boeing]]'s rocket manufacturing contracts and send them to a central location at the plant in Decatur. All satellite launching rockets used by the U.S. government will be built in Decatur. This approval will bring an estimated 230 new jobs to the Decatur area. The ULA plant utilizes the Tennessee River to ship the rockets to [[Cape Canaveral]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/061004/ula.shtml| title = FTC Gives Approval | date = 10-03-2006 | publisher = Decatur Daily Newspaper }}</ref>
 
Shopping locations are expected to increase in coming years after the approval of a 32 (possible) store shopping center call named "The Crossings At Decatur," which will be located at the corner of Beltline Road and 6th Avenue<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/060628/target.shtml| title = Read to do Business | date = 06-28-2006 | publisher = Decatur Daily Newspaper }}</ref>. A number of stores have also increased the current store population in Decatur's lone mall, [[Colonial Mall Decatur]].
 
In 2002, the City of Decatur was recognized as one of the top 50 cities in the United States for manufacturing expansion.
 
===Major Employers===
 
*[[3M]]
*[[Boeing Integrated Defense Systems]]
**[[United Launch Alliance]]
*[[BP]]
**Manufactures [[p-Xylene|Paraxylene]] and [[Terephthalic acid|Purified Terephthalic Acid]]
*[[Bunge International]]
*[[Daikin]] America
*[[Decatur City Schools]]
*[[General Electric]]
*[[Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company|Goodyear]]
*[[Meow Mix]]
*[[Nucor]]
*[[Solutia]]
*[[Tennessee Valley Authority]]
*[[MPW Industrial Services]]
 
[[image:rivers.jpg|thumb|right|350px|View of Balloons Inflating At The [[Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic|Alabama Jubilee]]]]
[[image:saxes-4.jpg|thumb|right|350px|View of [[Old State Bank]]]]
 
===Tourism===
Tourism is a major part of Decatur's economy. Hundreds of thousands of people from in and out of town, and from many other countries and territories, attend some of the premier festivals in the South. <ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.decaturcvb.org/Pages/Festivals/fest.html| title = Festivals and celebrations | date = 2006 | publisher = Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau }}</ref>
 
The [[Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic|Alabama Jubilee]] is the oldest hot air balloon race in the South. With visiting populations rising into 75,000, people crowd around numerous seven story tall inflating balloons. Because of the [[Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic|Alabama Jubilee]], Decatur has been named "The Ballooning Capital of [[Alabama]]" by the Alabama State Legislature.
 
The [[Spirit of America Festival]] is one of the largest free [[Independence Day (United States)|4th of July]] festivals in the south. More than 65,000 people arrive in Decatur to watch annual celebrations and the Miss Point Mallard Beauty Pageant.
 
[[Riverfest]] is a celebration sponsored by the Decatur [[Jaycees]]. Set at [[Rhodes Ferry Park]], along the beautiful [[Tennessee River]], barbecuers come from all over the country to try their luck at beating [[Big Bob Gibson's]] Barbecue, the seven-time world champion winner.
 
Another big celebration in Decatur and [[North Alabama]], the [[Racking Horse World Celebration]], attracts numerous horses from around the world to compete in the largest racking horse competition. Set in the Racking Horse World Celebration Arena, the celebration draws up to 75,000 fans and competitors each year.
 
===Parks and celebrations===
[[Image:DelRose4.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Replica of historic structure in the re-constructed Rose Garden in [[Delano Park (Decatur)|Delano Park]]]]
*'''[[Delano Park (Decatur)|Delano Park]]'''
 
*'''[[Point Mallard Park]]
**'''[[Point Mallard Aquatic Center|J. Gilmer Blackburn Aquatic Center]]'''
***"Home of America's first wave pool"
 
*'''[[Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic|Alabama Jubilee]]'''
 
*'''[[Spirit of America Festival]]'''
 
*'''[[Riverfest]]'''
 
*'''[[Racking Horse World Celebration Arena]]'''
 
==Media==
===Newspapers===
 
The ''[[Decatur Daily]]'' has been the only major newspaper based in the [[Decatur Metropolitan Area]] since [[1912]], and the one of the only family owned newspapers in [[Alabama]]. It has an average daily circulation of 20,824 and a Sunday circulation of 23,840. The paper's circulation area includes [[Morgan County, Alabama|Morgan County]], [[Lawrence County, Alabama|Lawrence County]], [[Cullman County, Alabama|Cullman County]], and southern portions of [[Limestone County, Alabama|Limestone]].
 
[http://www.al.com/huntsvilletimes ''The Huntsville Times''] is the only other newspaper with a larger circulation in the [[Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area]], and has been in circulation since 1996 to most area counties, when the ''Huntsville News'' closed. Before then, the ''News'' was the morning paper, and the ''Times'' was the afternoon paper. After the ''News'' closed, the ''Times'' remained an afternoon paper until 2004.
 
==Transportation==
 
===Air Transport===
 
Decatur is served by two major airports. The [[Huntsville International Airport]], in suburban [[Huntsville, Alabama|Huntsville]] is the second busiest airport in Alabama, behind [[Birmingham International Airport]]. The city is also served by the busiest regional airport in Alabama, the [[Pryor Field Regional Airport]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/061001/hub.shtml | title = Rivers, rails, roads, and air | date = 2006-10-01 | publisher = Decatur Daily Newspaper}}</ref>
 
===Roadways===
 
[[Image:STMBTBLBridge.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Captain William J. Hudson "Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridges]]]]
Decatur, being only a mid-sized city, has not yet seen the conveniences of a major controlled access highway passing through the city limits.
 
Decatur's main thoroughfares are 6th Avenue ([[US 31]]) and [[The Beltline (Decatur)|The Beltline]] ([[State Route 67 (Alabama)|State Route 67]]). 6th Avenue begins as both Alabama 20, [[Alternate U.S. 72]], and US 31 split after being carried by the twin-span [["Steamboat Bill" Hudson Memorial Bridge]] that crosses [[Tennessee River]] at the north central part of town. Alabama 20/Alternate U.S. 72 continues west towards [[The Shoals]], after the Beltline begins in the vicinity of the [[Solutia]] plant. 6th Avenue continues southward where it eventually intersects with Beltline Road. After that intersection, 6th Avenue continues southward to Birmingham as Decatur Highway.
 
[[The Beltline (Decatur)|The Beltline]] was built as a western bypass to relieve congestion on 6th Avenue. In doing so, however, this created another problem as sprawl quickly developed along the new arterial. Construction is currently under way to widen the road from four to six lanes with the project expected to be completed by 2010.
 
===Major Highways===
 
*[[Image:I-65.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 65]]
*[[Image:I-565.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 565]]
*[[Image:US 31.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 31]]
*[[Image:Alternate plate.svg|20px]]<br>[[Image:US 72.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 72 Alternate]]
*[[Image:Alabama 20.svg|20px]] [[State Route 20 (Alabama)|Alabama 20]]
*[[Image:Alabama 24.svg|20px]] [[State Route 24 (Alabama)|Alabama 24]]
*[[Image:Alabama 67.svg|20px]] [[State Route 67 (Alabama)|Alabama 67]]
 
===Busiest Intersections===
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Rank
! Intersection
! Traffic Per Day
|-
| 1
| 6th Avenue ([[US 31]])<br>[[Alabama State Route 20|Alabama 20]]<br>[[U.S. Route 72 Alternate|Alternate US 72]]
| align=right | 45,000
|-
| 2
| [[The Beltline (Decatur)|The Beltline]] ([[Alabama State Route 67|Alabama 67]]<br>Spring Avenue SW
| align=right | 38,000
|-
| 3
| 6th Avenue (US 31)<br>Stratford Road SE
| align=right| 34,000
|-
| 4
| The Beltline<br>Betty Street<br>Westmead Street
| align=right| 31,000
|}
 
===Improvements===
 
Plans are also under way to construct a controlled access beltway from [[Interstate 65]] south of the city to [[Alternate U.S. 72]] in [[Lawrence County, Alabama|Lawrence County]], known as ''Veteran's Parkway''.
 
In addition, there are plans to transform Alabama Highway 20/Alternate US 72 into an extension of [[Interstate 565]] into the city. Governor [[Bob Riley (Alabama)|Bob Riley]] has said he will make sure that plans for the road will be put on the fast track, since more than 85 wrecks occur on the 1.5 mile stretch of dangerous highway each year.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/050613/roads.shtml| title = 3-year transit plan | date = 06-05-2005 | publisher = Decatur Daily Newspaper }}</ref>
 
== Education ==
The [[Decatur City Schools|Decatur City School System]] is well regarded throughout the nation. Both of the city's high schools (Decatur High School and Austin High School) have been awarded the ''Safe Schools Award'' for the past two years that it has been presented in the State of Alabama. The two schools are the only ones in the state to have won this award both years. With the addition of the International Baccalaureate Program to Austin and Decatur High Schools, Decatur has become the first Alabama school system north of Birmingham and one of five in the state to offer the honors program for juniors and seniors (as of July 2006).
 
All high school football and soccer teams compete in the 9,000 seat [[Ogle Stadium]]. Indoor track meets are held at the 10,000 seat [[Racking Horse World Celebration Arena]].
 
However, both Austin and Decatur failed to make adequate yearly progress in 2006 as mandated in the No Child Left Behind Act. The state said Austin's 86 percent graduation rate was four points too low.
 
Decatur High missed in two categories: percent of special education students the system tested in reading and percent tested in math. The graduate rate was 76 percent. However the graduation rate is unreliable since students who move to different schools are considered "dropouts" and this drastically distorts the figures of how many students actually graduate. The official percentage of graduating students at Decatur High is 98%.
 
The only institution of higher education located within the Decatur city limits is [http://www.calhoun.cc.al.us/ Calhoun Community College ]. It has three campuses; the main campus is in Decatur.
 
==Local Elementary and Middle Schools==
*[[Chestnut Grove Elementary]]
*[[Austinville Elementary School]]
*[[Benjamin Davis Elementary School]]
*[[Julian Harris Elementary]]
*[[Cedar Ridge Middle School]]
*[[Brookhaven Middle School]]
*[[Oak Park Middle School]]
 
===Local Higher Education===
*[[Athens State University]]
*[[Calhoun Community College|Calhoun Community College System]]
**[[Calhoun Community College at Decatur|Calhoun Decatur Campus]]
**[[Calhoun Community College at Redstone Arsenal|Calhoun Redstone Arsenal Campus]]
**[[Calhoun Community College at Cummings Research Park|Calhoun Huntsville/Cummings Research Park Campus]]
*[[University of Alabama in Huntsville]]
 
==Nicknames==
*'''The River City''' - So named because of the Tennessee River that flows on the northern edge of town and that inspires festivals and culture in the city.
*'''The Chicago of the South''' - Given to Decatur after Delano Park was created following President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's visit to Decatur after the creation of [[TVA]], because the city was to be, and is, a hub for the commercial activity that followed TVA's introduction to the [[Tennessee Valley]].
*'''"Ballooning Capital of Alabama"''' - Bestowed by the Alabama Legislature because of the annual [[Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic|Alabama Jubilee]], which brings over 70 [[hot air balloon]]s to [[Point Mallard Park]].
*'''The Heart of the Valley''' - Because of Decatur's location at the very center of the Alabama portion of the [[Tennessee River]] and Tennessee Valley.
*'''"Home of America's First Wave Pool"''' - Decatur is home to the first [[wave pool]] ever built in the United States at the popular [[Point Mallard Aquatic Center]].
*'''"Home of [[Meow Mix]]"''' - Decatur is home to one of the Meow Mix production facilities, and a sign reading "Decatur: Home of Meow Mix" is visible on one of the city's buildings from the Tennessee River bridge.
*'''D-Rock''' - nickname given by high school students inside Decatur. Many people outside of Decatur also refer to the city with this nickname.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/opinion/letters/060628.shtml| title = The overcome negatives, focus on positives | date = 06-28-2006 | publisher = Decatur Daily Newspaper }}</ref>
*'''A Grand City on a Charming Scale''' - slogan used by city leaders and citizens.
 
==Famous Decaturites==
*[[Joseph Abbott (Texas politician)|Joseph Abbott]], Texas politician.
*[[Mae C. Jemison]], first African American woman in space.
*[[Dean Jones (actor)|Dean Jones]], actor.
*[[Lucas Black]], actor.
*[[Philip Rivers]], football player.
*[[Charles Redding Pitt]], United States Attorney for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama; private lawyer; Democratic politician
*[[John O'Sullivan (columnist)|John O'Sullivan]], conservative [[columnist]] and [[pundit]].
*[[Gary Knotts]], baseball player
 
==See also==
* [[Decatur Metropolitan Area]]
* [[Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area]]
* [[Morgan County, AL|Morgan County]]
* [[North Alabama]]
* [[Point Mallard Park]] - [[Point Mallard Aquatic Center|Aquatic Center]]
* [[Tennessee River]]
* [[Stephen Decatur, Jr.]]
* [[Wheeler Lake]]
* [[Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge]]
 
==References==
<div class="references-small">
* [[George R. Stewart]]. ''Names on the Land''. Houghton Mifflin Company: Boston (1967).
<references/>
</div>
 
==External links==
* Official City Website: [http://www.digitaldecatur.com DigitalDecatur]
* Official City Tourist Website: [http://www.decaturalabamausa.com/ Decatur, Alabama, USA]
* [http://www.decaturmorgancounty.com/ Official Decatur-Morgan County Website]
* [http://www.decaturcvb.org/ Decatur Convention & Visitor's Bureau]
* [http://www.dcc.org/ Decatur Morgan County Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.dcs.edu/ Decatur City Schools]
* [http://www.decatursports.com/ Decatur Sports]
* [http://www.decaturparks.com/ Decatur Parks and Recreation]
* [http://www.villageprofile.com/alabama/decatur/main.html/ Decatur's Village Profile]
* [http://www.mceda.org/home.htm Morgan County Economic Development Association]
{{Mapit-US-cityscale|34.580992|-86.983392}}
{{Huntsville Radio}}
{{Huntsville-Decatur Metropolitan Area}}
{{Alabama}}
 
[[Category:Decatur, Alabama| ]]
[[Category:Morgan County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Limestone County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Cities in Alabama]]
[[Category:Decatur Metropolitan Area]]
[[Category:Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area]]
[[Category:County seats in Alabama]]
[[Category:Port cities in the United States]]
 
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[[sv:Decatur]]
[[uk:Декейтер (Алабама) km².
 
Decatur labon belödanis {| border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin:0.9em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" width="300px" align="right" style="border: 1em solid white")
<caption><font size="+1">'''Decatur, Alabama'''</font></caption>
|-
| align="center" colspan=2 | [[Image:P4150170.JPG|thumb|center|190px]]
|-
| align="center" colspan=2 | <font size="-1">City [[List of city nicknames in the United States|nickname]]: "[[River City|The River City]]"
|-
| align="center" colspan=2 | [[Image:DecShadeNew21.jpg|137px]] [[Image:Morgan County Alabama.png|160px]]<br>Location in [[Morgan County, Alabama]]
|-
| [[County (United States)|County]]
| [[Morgan County, Alabama|Morgan County]] <br> [[Limestone County, Alabama|Limestone County]]
|-
| [[Area]]<br>&nbsp;- Total<br>&nbsp;- Water
| <br>155.1 [[km²]]; (53.4 mi²) <br>16.8 km² (6.5 mi²) 10.83%
|-
| [[Population]]<br>&nbsp;- Total ([[2005]])<br>&nbsp;- [[Decatur Metropolitan Area|Metropolitan]]
| <br>54,909<ref name=popest2>{{cite web | year = [[June 21]] [[2006]] | url = http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-04-01.csv | title = Annual Estimates of the Population for All Incorporated Places in Alabama | format = [[Comma-separated values|CSV]] | work = 2005 Population Estimates | publisher = U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division | accessdate = November 9 | accessyear = 2006}}</ref> <br>149,629 <br>
|-
| [[Time zone]]
| [[Central Standard Time Zone|Central]]: [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]&ndash;6
|-
| [[Mayor]]
| Don Kyle
|-
| align="center" colspan=2 | [http://www.digitaldecatur.com/ City website]
|}
 
'''Decatur, Alabama''' is the county seat of [[Morgan County, Alabama|Morgan County]] and sits along the shores of the [[Tennessee River]] in [[North Alabama]]. Decatur is also the core city of the two-county large [[Decatur Metropolitan Area]]. As of the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, Decatur has a population of 54,909.<ref name=popest2/>
 
Decatur is also the second largest core city of the [[Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area]], which includes the two metro areas of Decatur and [[Huntsville, Alabama]]. The two cities are sometimes referred to as ''[[Twin cities|Twin Cities]]'', or ''Sister Cities''. Both municipalities provide vital resources to each other, and their respective metropolitan areas. Each are important to the economy of the entire region and the well-being of its residents.
 
==History==
Initially the area was known as Rhodes Ferry, named after a ferry that crossed the [[Tennessee River]] in the 1810s at the present-day location of Rhodes Ferry Park. The city was incorporated as Albany in the year [[1821]]. It was named in honor of [[Stephen Decatur]]; after he was killed in a duel in 1820, President Monroe directed that the Alabama town be named for him.
 
Decatur was a very important point in [[North Alabama]] during its earliest days. Decatur was the eastern terminus of the [[Decatur-Courtland-Tuscumbia Railroad]] (in the late 1820s and early 1830s), the first railway built west of the Appalachian Mountains.
 
Because of its location on the strategic [[Memphis & Charleston Railroad]], Decatur was the site of several encounters during the [[American Civil War]]. All but three buildings were burned down during the [[1864]] [[Battle of Decatur]], when Decatur was referred to as ''A Tough Nut To Crack''. The three that remained are the [[State Bank Building, Decatur Branch (Old State Bank)|Old State Bank]], Dancy-Polk House, and the [[Rhea-McEntire House]].
 
During the [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] occupation of Decatur, the plans for the [[Battle of Shiloh]] were mapped out within the Rhea-McEntire House. These activities made the house one of the most historic buildings in Decatur.
 
New Decatur was a city that rose out of the ashes of former Decatur west of the railroad tracks. New Decatur was founded in [[1887]] and incorporated in [[1889]] across the tracks from Albany. In the early 1900s the two cities melded to form one City of Decatur. There is a noticeable difference between the two sides of town. The cities developed differently at different times, and still to this day have somewhat different cultures. Eastern portions of Decatur tend to act more suburban and traditional, while western portions tend to look more metropolitan and contemporary.
 
The [[State Bank Building, Decatur Branch (Old State Bank)|Old State Bank]], on the edge of downtown, is the oldest bank building in the State of [[Alabama]], at 173 years old. The first wave pool in the [[United States]] was built here and is still in operation at the [[Point Mallard Aquatic Center]]. Decatur has the largest [[Victorian era]] home district in the state of Alabama. Decatur is also home to Alabama's oldest opera house, the ([[Cotaco Opera House]]), which still stands on Johnston Street.
 
In the past its industries included repair shops of the [[Louisville and Nashville Railroad]], car works, engine works, engine works, tannery, bottling plants, and manufacturers of lumber, sashes and blinds, fertilizers, cigars, flour, cottonseed oil, and various other products.
 
===Historical Timeline===
*Area founded as Rhodes Ferry in 1810s.
*Rhodes Ferry incorporated as Albany in [[1821]].
*Dancy-Polk House erected in [[1829]].
*Also in [[1829]]-[[1830]], Decatur became the home to the first railroad ever built west of the Appalachian Mountains [[Tuscumbia-Courtland-Decatur Railroad]].
*[[State Bank Building, Decatur Branch (Old State Bank)|Old State Bank]] erected on July 29, [[1833]].
*[[Rhea-McEntire House]] built in [[1836]].
*[[Battle of Decatur]] takes place during the [[American Civil War]] in November, [[1864]].
*Decatur's [[Victorian Era]] Home District built between [[1870]] and [[1910]]
*New Decatur founded in [[1887]], incorporated in [[1889]].
*[[Princess Theatre, Decatur|Princess Theatre]] built in [[1919]].
*Albany Decatur, and New Decatur merge in [[1927]].
*President [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt]] dedicates [[Delano Park (Decatur)|Delano Park]] in 1930s.
*[[TVA]] brings new business to Decatur through the military, and energy management in the 1930s.
 
==Climate==
Decatur experiences a [[humid subtropical climate]], with hot, humid summers and a generally mild winter. Temperatures range from 101.0 °F (31.6 C) in the summer to 49.0°F (9.4 C) during winter. The city rarely experiences [[tornado]]es during the spring and fall. But, significant severe weather does occur from time to time in the active seasons. The most significant tornado event included the [[Super Outbreak]] in 1974, while the city was largely unaffected by the more recent [[Huntsville, Alabama Tornado]] in [[1989]] that killed 21 and injured almost 500. [[Hurricanes]] are rare since Decatur sits nearly 300 miles inland from the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. Though a few tropical system do track through the central [[Tennessee Valley]], they rarely inflict much damage on the city. Winters usually don't produce measurable snow; a large amount of snow is rare within the city limits. A measurable amount of snow can sometimes be experienced every three or four years.
 
==Geography==
The Morgan County portion of Decatur is surrounded by water on two sides. The [[Tennessee River]] is a northern border, while Flint Creek serves as a border between Decatur and [[Priceville, Alabama|Priceville]]. There is also an inlet that extends one mile into the city limits from [[Wheeler Lake]] called Dry Branch.
 
The northern portion of Decatur sits on top of a short hill that overlooks the Tennessee River, this creates a very steep dropoff to the river shore a Rhodes Ferry Park. This hill allows the [[Captain William J. Hudson "Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridge|"Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridge]] to leave the mainland at grade without any major sloping required more height to cross the river while not interfering with Decatur's heavy barge traffic. This hill extends from the banks of the river about 1.5 miles south to the 14th St./Magnolia St. intersection with 6th Avenue ([[US 31]]).
 
South past the 14th St. and 6th Ave. intersection, land continues to remain flat. South, and also west, past [[State Route 67 (Alabama)|Alabama 67]] there are a few minor mountains that sit within the city limits.
 
Decatur is located at {{coor dms|34|34|52|N|86|59|0|W|city}} (34.580992, -86.983392){{GR|1}}.
 
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 155.1 [[km²]] (59.9 [[square mile|mi²]]). 138.3 km² (53.4 mi²) of it is land and 16.8 km² (6.5 mi²) of it (10.83%) is water.
 
{{MorCoMun}}
 
===Bodies of water===
 
*'''[[Wheeler Lake]]'''
*'''[[Tennessee River]]'''
*'''[[Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge]]'''
*'''[[Flint Creek]]'''
 
===Nearby suburbs===
 
*[[Moulton Heights, Alabama|Moulton Heights]]
*[[Priceville, Alabama|Priceville]]
*[[Trinity, Alabama|Trinity]]
*[[Somerville, Alabama|Somerville]]
*[[Danville, Alabama|Danville]]
*[[Tanner, Alabama|Tanner]]
*[[Burningtree Mountain, Alabama|Burningtree Mountain]]
 
===Neighboring cities/towns===
 
*[[Hartselle, Alabama|Hartselle]] (south) - Morgan County
*[[Huntsville, Alabama|Huntsville]] (northeast) - Madison County
*[[Priceville, Alabama|Priceville]] (east) - Morgan County
*[[Mooresville, Alabama|Mooresville]] (northeast) - Limestone County
*[[Trinity, Alabama|Trinity]] (northwest) - Morgan County
 
==Demographics==
As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 53,929 people, 21,824 households, and 14,753 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 389.9/km² (1,009.7/mi²). There were 23,950 housing units at an average density of 173.1/km² (448.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.50% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 19.56% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.58% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.70% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.13% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.22% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.33% from two or more races. 5.64% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.
 
There were 21,824 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.99.
 
In the city the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.
 
The median income for a household in the city was $37,192, and the median income for a family was $47,574. Males had a median income of $37,108 versus $22,471 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $20,431. About 11.9% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 21.2% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.
 
*'''Population'''
 
In [[1890]], 2,765 people lived in Decatur, Alabama; in [[1900]], 3,114; in [[1910]], 4,228; and in [[1940]], 16,604{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city was 53,929. As of the [[2004]] census estimation, the population was 54,528. The city is the [[county seat]] of [[Morgan County, Alabama|Morgan County]]{{GR|6}}. In [[1900]], 4,457 people lived in New Decatur, Alabama; in [[1910]], 6,118. The two cities have melded.
 
== Economy ==
[[image:alabama-map2.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
Decatur has grown to be the busiest river port on the Tennessee River. The [[Port of Decatur]] sees large amounts of barge traffic from up and down the Tennessee River, which has led to twenty [[Fortune 500]] companies opening plants in the city.
 
Decatur is also known as the "Home of [[Meow Mix]]", after the company bought a 200,000 square foot facility in town, and now utilizes its riverfront property to ship the finished product up and down the Tennessee River.
 
The future is bright for Decatur's economy. Being part of the [[Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area|Huntsville-Decatur CSA]], the city lies within the region having the most engineers per person in the nation. This makes for one of, if not the most, educated regions in [[Alabama]], thus stimulating the economy and growth of the city and region.
 
A recent BRAC Base realignment will bring a population conservatively estimated at 5,000&ndash;10,000 people (not including their families) to the area surrounding [[Redstone Arsenal]].
 
[[Image:Delta IV Medium Rocket DSCS.jpg|thumb|200px|Delta IV Medium launch carrying DSCS III-B6]]
 
Recent approval of the [[United Launch Alliance]] will combine [[Lockheed-Martin]] and [[Boeing]]'s rocket manufacturing contracts and send them to a central location at the plant in Decatur. All satellite launching rockets used by the U.S. government will be built in Decatur. This approval will bring an estimated 230 new jobs to the Decatur area. The ULA plant utilizes the Tennessee River to ship the rockets to [[Cape Canaveral]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/061004/ula.shtml| title = FTC Gives Approval | date = 10-03-2006 | publisher = Decatur Daily Newspaper }}</ref>
 
Shopping locations are expected to increase in coming years after the approval of a 32 (possible) store shopping center call named "The Crossings At Decatur," which will be located at the corner of Beltline Road and 6th Avenue<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/060628/target.shtml| title = Read to do Business | date = 06-28-2006 | publisher = Decatur Daily Newspaper }}</ref>. A number of stores have also increased the current store population in Decatur's lone mall, [[Colonial Mall Decatur]].
 
In 2002, the City of Decatur was recognized as one of the top 50 cities in the United States for manufacturing expansion.
 
===Major Employers===
 
*[[3M]]
*[[Boeing Integrated Defense Systems]]
**[[United Launch Alliance]]
*[[BP]]
**Manufactures [[p-Xylene|Paraxylene]] and [[Terephthalic acid|Purified Terephthalic Acid]]
*[[Bunge International]]
*[[Daikin]] America
*[[Decatur City Schools]]
*[[General Electric]]
*[[Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company|Goodyear]]
*[[Meow Mix]]
*[[Nucor]]
*[[Solutia]]
*[[Tennessee Valley Authority]]
*[[MPW Industrial Services]]
 
[[image:rivers.jpg|thumb|right|350px|View of Balloons Inflating At The [[Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic|Alabama Jubilee]]]]
[[image:saxes-4.jpg|thumb|right|350px|View of [[Old State Bank]]]]
 
===Tourism===
Tourism is a major part of Decatur's economy. Hundreds of thousands of people from in and out of town, and from many other countries and territories, attend some of the premier festivals in the South. <ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.decaturcvb.org/Pages/Festivals/fest.html| title = Festivals and celebrations | date = 2006 | publisher = Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau }}</ref>
 
The [[Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic|Alabama Jubilee]] is the oldest hot air balloon race in the South. With visiting populations rising into 75,000, people crowd around numerous seven story tall inflating balloons. Because of the [[Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic|Alabama Jubilee]], Decatur has been named "The Ballooning Capital of [[Alabama]]" by the Alabama State Legislature.
 
The [[Spirit of America Festival]] is one of the largest free [[Independence Day (United States)|4th of July]] festivals in the south. More than 65,000 people arrive in Decatur to watch annual celebrations and the Miss Point Mallard Beauty Pageant.
 
[[Riverfest]] is a celebration sponsored by the Decatur [[Jaycees]]. Set at [[Rhodes Ferry Park]], along the beautiful [[Tennessee River]], barbecuers come from all over the country to try their luck at beating [[Big Bob Gibson's]] Barbecue, the seven-time world champion winner.
 
Another big celebration in Decatur and [[North Alabama]], the [[Racking Horse World Celebration]], attracts numerous horses from around the world to compete in the largest racking horse competition. Set in the Racking Horse World Celebration Arena, the celebration draws up to 75,000 fans and competitors each year.
 
===Parks and celebrations===
[[Image:DelRose4.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Replica of historic structure in the re-constructed Rose Garden in [[Delano Park (Decatur)|Delano Park]]]]
*'''[[Delano Park (Decatur)|Delano Park]]'''
 
*'''[[Point Mallard Park]]
**'''[[Point Mallard Aquatic Center|J. Gilmer Blackburn Aquatic Center]]'''
***"Home of America's first wave pool"
 
*'''[[Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic|Alabama Jubilee]]'''
 
*'''[[Spirit of America Festival]]'''
 
*'''[[Riverfest]]'''
 
*'''[[Racking Horse World Celebration Arena]]'''
 
==Media==
===Newspapers===
 
The ''[[Decatur Daily]]'' has been the only major newspaper based in the [[Decatur Metropolitan Area]] since [[1912]], and the one of the only family owned newspapers in [[Alabama]]. It has an average daily circulation of 20,824 and a Sunday circulation of 23,840. The paper's circulation area includes [[Morgan County, Alabama|Morgan County]], [[Lawrence County, Alabama|Lawrence County]], [[Cullman County, Alabama|Cullman County]], and southern portions of [[Limestone County, Alabama|Limestone]].
 
[http://www.al.com/huntsvilletimes ''The Huntsville Times''] is the only other newspaper with a larger circulation in the [[Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area]], and has been in circulation since 1996 to most area counties, when the ''Huntsville News'' closed. Before then, the ''News'' was the morning paper, and the ''Times'' was the afternoon paper. After the ''News'' closed, the ''Times'' remained an afternoon paper until 2004.
 
==Transportation==
 
===Air Transport===
 
Decatur is served by two major airports. The [[Huntsville International Airport]], in suburban [[Huntsville, Alabama|Huntsville]] is the second busiest airport in Alabama, behind [[Birmingham International Airport]]. The city is also served by the busiest regional airport in Alabama, the [[Pryor Field Regional Airport]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/061001/hub.shtml | title = Rivers, rails, roads, and air | date = 2006-10-01 | publisher = Decatur Daily Newspaper}}</ref>
 
===Roadways===
 
[[Image:STMBTBLBridge.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Captain William J. Hudson "Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridges]]]]
Decatur, being only a mid-sized city, has not yet seen the conveniences of a major controlled access highway passing through the city limits.
 
Decatur's main thoroughfares are 6th Avenue ([[US 31]]) and [[The Beltline (Decatur)|The Beltline]] ([[State Route 67 (Alabama)|State Route 67]]). 6th Avenue begins as both Alabama 20, [[Alternate U.S. 72]], and US 31 split after being carried by the twin-span [["Steamboat Bill" Hudson Memorial Bridge]] that crosses [[Tennessee River]] at the north central part of town. Alabama 20/Alternate U.S. 72 continues west towards [[The Shoals]], after the Beltline begins in the vicinity of the [[Solutia]] plant. 6th Avenue continues southward where it eventually intersects with Beltline Road. After that intersection, 6th Avenue continues southward to Birmingham as Decatur Highway.
 
[[The Beltline (Decatur)|The Beltline]] was built as a western bypass to relieve congestion on 6th Avenue. In doing so, however, this created another problem as sprawl quickly developed along the new arterial. Construction is currently under way to widen the road from four to six lanes with the project expected to be completed by 2010.
 
===Major Highways===
 
*[[Image:I-65.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 65]]
*[[Image:I-565.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 565]]
*[[Image:US 31.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 31]]
*[[Image:Alternate plate.svg|20px]]<br>[[Image:US 72.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Highway 72 Alternate]]
*[[Image:Alabama 20.svg|20px]] [[State Route 20 (Alabama)|Alabama 20]]
*[[Image:Alabama 24.svg|20px]] [[State Route 24 (Alabama)|Alabama 24]]
*[[Image:Alabama 67.svg|20px]] [[State Route 67 (Alabama)|Alabama 67]]
 
===Busiest Intersections===
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Rank
! Intersection
! Traffic Per Day
|-
| 1
| 6th Avenue ([[US 31]])<br>[[Alabama State Route 20|Alabama 20]]<br>[[U.S. Route 72 Alternate|Alternate US 72]]
| align=right | 45,000
|-
| 2
| [[The Beltline (Decatur)|The Beltline]] ([[Alabama State Route 67|Alabama 67]]<br>Spring Avenue SW
| align=right | 38,000
|-
| 3
| 6th Avenue (US 31)<br>Stratford Road SE
| align=right| 34,000
|-
| 4
| The Beltline<br>Betty Street<br>Westmead Street
| align=right| 31,000
|}
 
===Improvements===
 
Plans are also under way to construct a controlled access beltway from [[Interstate 65]] south of the city to [[Alternate U.S. 72]] in [[Lawrence County, Alabama|Lawrence County]], known as ''Veteran's Parkway''.
 
In addition, there are plans to transform Alabama Highway 20/Alternate US 72 into an extension of [[Interstate 565]] into the city. Governor [[Bob Riley (Alabama)|Bob Riley]] has said he will make sure that plans for the road will be put on the fast track, since more than 85 wrecks occur on the 1.5 mile stretch of dangerous highway each year.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/050613/roads.shtml| title = 3-year transit plan | date = 06-05-2005 | publisher = Decatur Daily Newspaper }}</ref>
 
== Education ==
The [[Decatur City Schools|Decatur City School System]] is well regarded throughout the nation. Both of the city's high schools (Decatur High School and Austin High School) have been awarded the ''Safe Schools Award'' for the past two years that it has been presented in the State of Alabama. The two schools are the only ones in the state to have won this award both years. With the addition of the International Baccalaureate Program to Austin and Decatur High Schools, Decatur has become the first Alabama school system north of Birmingham and one of five in the state to offer the honors program for juniors and seniors (as of July 2006).
 
All high school football and soccer teams compete in the 9,000 seat [[Ogle Stadium]]. Indoor track meets are held at the 10,000 seat [[Racking Horse World Celebration Arena]].
 
However, both Austin and Decatur failed to make adequate yearly progress in 2006 as mandated in the No Child Left Behind Act. The state said Austin's 86 percent graduation rate was four points too low.
 
Decatur High missed in two categories: percent of special education students the system tested in reading and percent tested in math. The graduate rate was 76 percent. However the graduation rate is unreliable since students who move to different schools are considered "dropouts" and this drastically distorts the figures of how many students actually graduate. The official percentage of graduating students at Decatur High is 98%.
 
The only institution of higher education located within the Decatur city limits is [http://www.calhoun.cc.al.us/ Calhoun Community College ]. It has three campuses; the main campus is in Decatur.
 
==Local Elementary and Middle Schools==
*[[Chestnut Grove Elementary]]
*[[Austinville Elementary School]]
*[[Benjamin Davis Elementary School]]
*[[Julian Harris Elementary]]
*[[Cedar Ridge Middle School]]
*[[Brookhaven Middle School]]
*[[Oak Park Middle School]]
 
===Local Higher Education===
*[[Athens State University]]
*[[Calhoun Community College|Calhoun Community College System]]
**[[Calhoun Community College at Decatur|Calhoun Decatur Campus]]
**[[Calhoun Community College at Redstone Arsenal|Calhoun Redstone Arsenal Campus]]
**[[Calhoun Community College at Cummings Research Park|Calhoun Huntsville/Cummings Research Park Campus]]
*[[University of Alabama in Huntsville]]
 
==Nicknames==
*'''The River City''' - So named because of the Tennessee River that flows on the northern edge of town and that inspires festivals and culture in the city.
*'''The Chicago of the South''' - Given to Decatur after Delano Park was created following President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's visit to Decatur after the creation of [[TVA]], because the city was to be, and is, a hub for the commercial activity that followed TVA's introduction to the [[Tennessee Valley]].
*'''"Ballooning Capital of Alabama"''' - Bestowed by the Alabama Legislature because of the annual [[Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic|Alabama Jubilee]], which brings over 70 [[hot air balloon]]s to [[Point Mallard Park]].
*'''The Heart of the Valley''' - Because of Decatur's location at the very center of the Alabama portion of the [[Tennessee River]] and Tennessee Valley.
*'''"Home of America's First Wave Pool"''' - Decatur is home to the first [[wave pool]] ever built in the United States at the popular [[Point Mallard Aquatic Center]].
*'''"Home of [[Meow Mix]]"''' - Decatur is home to one of the Meow Mix production facilities, and a sign reading "Decatur: Home of Meow Mix" is visible on one of the city's buildings from the Tennessee River bridge.
*'''D-Rock''' - nickname given by high school students inside Decatur. Many people outside of Decatur also refer to the city with this nickname.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/opinion/letters/060628.shtml| title = The overcome negatives, focus on positives | date = 06-28-2006 | publisher = Decatur Daily Newspaper }}</ref>
*'''A Grand City on a Charming Scale''' - slogan used by city leaders and citizens.
 
==Famous Decaturites==
*[[Joseph Abbott (Texas politician)|Joseph Abbott]], Texas politician.
*[[Mae C. Jemison]], first African American woman in space.
*[[Dean Jones (actor)|Dean Jones]], actor.
*[[Lucas Black]], actor.
*[[Philip Rivers]], football player.
*[[Charles Redding Pitt]], United States Attorney for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama; private lawyer; Democratic politician
*[[John O'Sullivan (columnist)|John O'Sullivan]], conservative [[columnist]] and [[pundit]].
*[[Gary Knotts]], baseball player
 
==See also==
* [[Decatur Metropolitan Area]]
* [[Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area]]
* [[Morgan County, AL|Morgan County]]
* [[North Alabama]]
* [[Point Mallard Park]] - [[Point Mallard Aquatic Center|Aquatic Center]]
* [[Tennessee River]]
* [[Stephen Decatur, Jr.]]
* [[Wheeler Lake]]
* [[Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge]]
 
==References==
<div class="references-small">
* [[George R. Stewart]]. ''Names on the Land''. Houghton Mifflin Company: Boston (1967).
<references/>
</div>
 
==External links==
* Official City Website: [http://www.digitaldecatur.com DigitalDecatur]
* Official City Tourist Website: [http://www.decaturalabamausa.com/ Decatur, Alabama, USA]
* [http://www.decaturmorgancounty.com/ Official Decatur-Morgan County Website]
* [http://www.decaturcvb.org/ Decatur Convention & Visitor's Bureau]
* [http://www.dcc.org/ Decatur Morgan County Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.dcs.edu/ Decatur City Schools]
* [http://www.decatursports.com/ Decatur Sports]
* [http://www.decaturparks.com/ Decatur Parks and Recreation]
* [http://www.villageprofile.com/alabama/decatur/main.html/ Decatur's Village Profile]
* [http://www.mceda.org/home.htm Morgan County Economic Development Association]
{{Mapit-US-cityscale|34.580992|-86.983392}}
{{Huntsville Radio}}
{{Huntsville-Decatur Metropolitan Area}}
{{Alabama}}
 
[[Category:Decatur, Alabama| ]]
[[Category:Morgan County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Limestone County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Cities in Alabama]]
[[Category:Decatur Metropolitan Area]]
[[Category:Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area]]
[[Category:County seats in Alabama]]
[[Category:Port cities in the United States]]
 
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[[uk:Декейтер (Алаба ма) (2000).