Decatur, Indiana

Decatur, Indiana
City
Decatur downtown in 2006.
Location in the state of Indiana
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Indiana
County	Adams
Township	Root, Washington
Government
• Mayor	Ken Meyer
Area
• Total	5.79 sq mi (15.00 km2)
• Land	5.78 sq mi (14.97 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2)
Elevation	801 ft (244 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	9,405
• Estimate (2012)	9,362
• Density	1,627.2/sq mi (628.3/km2)
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	46733
Area code(s)	260
FIPS code	18-17074
GNIS feature ID	0446543
Website	http://www.decaturin.org/

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1850	231		—
1860	532		130.3%
1870	858		61.3%
1880	1,905		122.0%
1890	3,142		64.9%
1900	4,148		32.0%
1910	4,471		7.8%
1920	4,762		6.5%
1930	5,156		8.3%
1940	5,861		13.7%
1950	7,271		24.1%
1960	8,327		14.5%
1970	8,445		1.4%
1980	8,649		2.4%
1990	8,644		−0.1%
2000	9,528		10.2%
2010	9,405		−1.3%
Est. 2014	9,432		0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

Decatur is a city in Root and Washington townships, Adams County, Indiana, United States. It is the county seat of Adams County. Decatur is home to Adams Memorial Hospital, which was designated as one of the "Top 100" Critical Access Hospitals in the United States. The population of Decatur was 9,405 at the 2010 census.

History

The first non-Native American settlers arrived in what is now Decatur in 1835. They arrived as a result of the end of the Black Hawk War as well as the completion of the Erie Canal. They consisted entirely of settlers from New England. These were "Yankee" settlers, that is to say they were descended from the English Puritans who settled New England in the colonial era. They were primarily members of the Congregational Church though due to the Second Great Awakening many of them had converted to Methodism and some had become Baptists before coming to what is now Decatur. The Congregational Church subsequently has gone through many divisions and some factions are now known as the Church of Christ and Church of God. When the New England settlers arrived in what is now Decatur there was nothing but a dense virgin forest and wild prairie.

Decatur was founded in 1836. It was named for Stephen Decatur, Jr., one of the captains of the original six frigates of the US navy. The first post office in Decatur was established in 1837.

Geography

Decatur is located at (40.829581, -84.929185).

According to the 2010 census, Decatur has a total area of 5.786 square miles (14.99 km²), of which 5.78 square miles (14.97 km²) (or 99.9%) is land and 0.006 square miles (0.02 km²) (or 0.1%) is water.

Demographics

Adams County courthouse, Decatur, Indiana, 2006

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 9,405 people, 4,011 households, and 2,511 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,627.2 inhabitants per square mile (628.3/km²). There were 4,427 housing units at an average density of 765.9 per square mile (295.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.7% White, 0.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 2.6% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.4% of the population.

There were 4,011 households of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.7% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.4% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.92.

The median age in the city was 37.2 years. 24.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.6% were from 25 to 44; 25.7% were from 45 to 64; and 14.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 9,528 people, 3,960 households, and 2,570 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,935.4 people per square mile (747.7/km²). There were 4,190 housing units at an average density of 851.1 per square mile (328.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.64% White, 0.24% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 3.58% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.69% of the population.

There were 3,960 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,234, and the median income for a family was $44,722. Males had a median income of $31,819 versus $24,310 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,186. About 5.6% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.7% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The government consists of a mayor and a city council. The mayor is elected in citywide vote. The city council consists of five members. Four are elected from individual districts. One is elected at-large. There is also a clerk-treasurer who is elected in citywide vote.

Education

The local high school in Decatur is Bellmont High School; approximately 700 students attend BHS. Local elementary and middle school students attend Southeast Elementary, Northwest Elementary, and Bellmont Middle School. St. Joseph Catholic School serves students in grades K-8. Zion Lutheran School, Wyneken Memorial Lutheran School, and St. Peter-Immanuel Lutheran School also serve students in grades PK-8.

Economy

• Some of the larger employers in Decatur include All American Homes, Bunge Limited, Fleetwood RV, and Thunderbird Products.
• Five unique restaurants well known in the surrounding area draw a large number of diners: 224 Pub & Grill, Back 40 Junction, The Galley, Two Brothers Bar and Restaurant, and the West End Restaurant.
• Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, well known for performance tuning and producing after-market parts for GM sports cars especially the Chevrolet Corvetteis located in Decatur. The company is currently expanding under the leadership of Ken Lingenfelter, owner and CEO.

Adams County courthouse, Decatur, Indiana, 1935

Notable people

• David Anspaugh, American television and film director
• Bob Hite, Sr., radio and television announcer for CBS
• Ryan Squires, Former Professional Bowler & Titlist Winner

See also

• Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Adams County, Indiana
• Peace Monument

External links

• Official website
• Decatur Daily Democrat
• Decatur Chamber of Commerce