Decatur, Indiana
Decatur | ||
---|---|---|
FIPS code 18-17074[3] | | |
GNIS feature ID | 2394480[2] | |
Website | http://www.decaturin.org/ |
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
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% | |
2020 | 9,913 | 5.4% | |
US Decennial Census[4] |
Decatur is a city in Root and Washington townships, Adams County, Indiana, United States. It is the county seat (and the largest community) of Adams County.[5] 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 9,913 at the 2020 census, up from 9,405 at the 2010 census.
History
Founding
The first non-Native American settlers arrived in what is now Decatur in 1835. They arrived as a result of the end of the
Decatur was founded in 1836.[7] It was named for Stephen Decatur, Jr., one of the captains of the original six frigates of the US navy.[8] A post office was established in Decatur in 1837.[9]
Post Civil War History
After the Civil War, Decatur was known as a Sundown Town, where African Americans were discriminated against and eventually run out of the town completely in 1902.[10] In a New York Times article published on July 14, 1902, the headline read, “Negro Driven Away,” and it recounted the story of the violent mob attacks which drove away African Americans from Decatur during the summer of 1902. The last line from the article explicitly concluded, “The anti-negroites declare that as Decatur is now cleared of Negroes they will keep it so, and the importation of any more will undoubtedly result in serious trouble.”[10] A month before the last Black person was reportedly forced out of Decatur, the Indianapolis Freeman reported that 50 men began driving the Black people out because they “were determined that colored people should not live in the town."[11] Eventually African Americans began slowly settling in town, however, due to the sundown policies that persisted throughout much of the 1900s, the current demographics still indicate a low percentage of Black residents.[12][13]
Geography
According to the
Demographics
2020 census
As of the
The average age for Decatur residents was 40.5 years. Of the total population, 6.8% were veterans and 15.8% have a visible or non-visible disability.[16] An estimated 4.6% of residents are uninsured.[15]
Of the 4,278 households, 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.8% were married couples living together, 35% had a female householder with no spouse present, and 27.3% of the residents were never married.[15][16] The average household size was 2.24.[15]
The median income for a household in the city was $45,149, and the median income for a family was $58,542. The
Of the total residents of Decatur, 43.9% have a high school or equivalent degree and 12.9 have a bachelor's degree or higher. The latter is 70% lower than the state average. The majority of residents work in manufacturing (37.4%), education, social services and health care (14.2%) and retail (13.6%).[16]
Only 76.3% of residents had broadband internet access, in contrast to 80.1% of state residents.[15]
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. A clerk-treasurer is also 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 Bellmont Elementary School 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.
Decatur has a public library, a branch of the Adams Public Library System.[17]
Media
Decatur is home to one newspaper, The Decatur Daily Democrat. It was founded in 1857.[18]
Healthcare
Decatur is home to the Adams Memorial Hospital which was designated as one of the "Top 100" Critical Access Hospitals in the United States. The hospital was established on June 30th, 1923, during election day in Adams County After voters were posed with a question of constructing a county hospital. [19]
Architecture
Decatur is also known for its Modern Architecture, With over 18 sculptures throughout its downtown area.
Notable people
- David Anspaugh, television and film director, Hoosiers, Rudy
- John Fetzer, former owner of Detroit Tigers
- Bob Hite, Sr., radio and television announcer for CBS
- David Smith, Sculptor
See also
- Indiana Register of Historic Sites and Structures
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Adams County, Indiana
- Peace Monument
References
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Decatur, Indiana
- ^ "US Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ John Wilson Tyndall & Orlo Ervin Lesh, Standard History of Adams and Wells Counties (1918)
- ISBN 1-135-94859-3.
- ^ "Profile for Decatur IN". ePodunk. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
- ^ "Adams County". Jim Forte Postal History. Archived from the original on August 27, 2014. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
- ^ ISBN 9781620974346.
- ^ "Decatur, Indiana". History & Social Justice. April 25, 2022. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
- ^ World Population Review/Decatur IN
- ^ A Reader's Guide to Sundown Towns
- ^ "Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Decatur city, Indiana; United States". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "Explore Census Data". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
- ^ "Homepage". Adams Public Library System. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
- ^ Democrat, Decatur Daily (July 18, 2023). "decaturdailydemocrat.com | Adam County's News Source Since 1857". Decatur Daily Democrat. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
- ^ "100th Anniversary". Adams Memorial Hospital. Retrieved July 20, 2023.