Decatur, Indiana

Encyclopedia : D : DE : DEC : Decatur, Indiana

Decatur is a city in Adams County, Indiana, United States. The population was 9,528 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Adams County^{[Geographic references#6GR6]}. This town is named after war hero Stephen Decatur, Jr. It was founded in 1836.

Contents

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Interesting facts
4 Notable natives and former residents
5 External links

Geography

Decatur is located at [40°49′46″N, 84°55′45″W] (40.829581, -84.929185)^{[Geographic references#1GR1]}.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.8 km² (4.9 mi²). 12.7 km² (4.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.20% is water.

Demographics

As of the census^{[Geographic references#2GR2]} of 2000, there were 9,528 people, 3,960 households, and 2,570 families residing in the city. The population density was 747.7/km² (1,935.4/mi²). There were 4,190 housing units at an average density of 328.8/km² (851.1/mi²). 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.

Decatur downtown in 2006.

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.

Adams County courthouse, Decatur, Indiana, 1935

Interesting facts

Decatur is the home of the world's first monument dedicated exclusively to peace. It stands in the yard of the Adams County courthouse.
The local high school in Decatur is Bellmont High School. Approximately 900 students attend BHS. Its mascots are the Braves and Squaws.
A major annual event is the Callithumpian Parade, which is held on the night of the last Monday in October.
Some of the larger employers in Decatur include All American Homes, Bunge Limited, Fleetwood, and Thunderbird Products.
Decatur is home to two unique restaurants that are well known in the surrounding area: Arnold's Drive-In and Back 40 Junction.

Adams County courthouse, Decatur, Indiana, 2006

Notable natives and former residents

Richard R. Schrock, awarded the 2005 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, lived in Decatur from 1945 until 1959 and attended school there.
David Smith, Abstract Expressionist sculptor (1906-1965), was born in Decatur.
David Anspaugh, the director of the films Rudy and Hoosiers, was born in Decatur in 1946.
The Dilley sextuplets currently live here.
Gene Stratton Porter lived in Decatur for a short time.
Dallas G. Wittgenfeld is the world's only professional skydiving clown registered as Thunder Chicken. His airport base is Decatur's Gage Airport on Winchester Street where he has flown his hot air balloon and ultralight along with parachuting his collection of several military team parachutes. He was trained as an Airborne Ranger with the Co. D 151st Indiana Rangers known as the War Hawks. He has performed at some of America's largest airshows and festivals as a feature. In 2006, the highly-decorated Vietnam War veteran flies America's largest flag parachute. He has also been awarded the key to the city by the mayor of Decatur.

External links

[Decatur Daily Democrat], the local newspaper of Decatur, Indiana.
[Decatur Chamber of Commerce]

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