Decatur is a city in Root and Washington townships, Adams County, Indiana, United States. The city, which serves as the county seat of Adams County[3], takes its name after the prominent war hero Stephen Decatur, Jr., one of the captains of the original 6 frigates of the US navy. When Indiana claimed official statehood in 1816, Decatur's name was as well known and revered as any celebrity today, thus when the town of Decatur was founded in 1836 it took its name in honor of the war hero.
Geography
Decatur is located at 40°49′46″N 84°55′45″W / 40.82944°N 84.92917°W / 40.82944; -84.92917 (40.829581, -84.929185)[4].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.9 square miles (12.8 km²), of which, 4.9 square miles (12.7 km²) of it is land and 0.20% is water.
Demographics
Adams County courthouse, Decatur, Indiana, 2006
As of the census[1] 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/sq mi (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.
Interesting facts
Adams County courthouse, Decatur, Indiana, 1935
- The world's first monument dedicated exclusively to peace was constructed in Decatur; it stands in the courtyard of the Adams County Courthouse.
- The local high school in Decatur is Bellmont High School; approximately 900 students attend BHS.
- Callithumpian Parade, a major annual event, takes place 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.
- Four unique restaurants well known in the surrounding area draw a large number of diners: Arnold's Drive-In, Back 40 Junction, The Galley, and the West End Restaurant.
- Mayor John Schultz served in Vietnam.
- Three non-sitting U.S. Presidents have visited Decatur; John F. Kennedy visited Decatur while he was a Massachusetts Senator, Ronald Reagan visited Decatur to do a television commercial for General Electric, and in 2008, Bill Clinton campaigned at Bellmont Middle School for his wife Hillary Clinton during the 2008 Democratic primary race.
References
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