Looking to move to Decatur, Alabama?

If you’re looking at Decatur for your residential needs, this article will help you decide if you wish to make our community your home.

The Land and Climate

With a population of about 54,000 as of 2017, Decatur, Alabama, is situated beside Wheeler Lake and along the banks of the Tennessee River. Decatur enjoys relatively moderate temperatures year-round, ranging from highs of 50 degrees in the winter months to highs near 90 in the summer months. In the fall, beautiful colors are to be expected, making walking through Decatur’s historic Albany neighborhood a relaxing and fun activity.

How Much Does it Cost?

The cost of living in Decatur is 17% lower than the rest of the U.S, making it an affordable place to buy a home.

Home prices in Decatur in recent years have ranged from:

• Roughly $18,000 for mobile homes
• $165,000 for detached homes
• Townhouses have ranged from $82,000 to $125,000 during the past few years.
• Overall, average home prices are about $106,000 in Decatur.

If you decide to buy a home in Decatur, home prices appreciate by 4.3% each year, offering an opportunity to sell and make a profit several years down the road. Be sure to contact us if you’re looking into buying an affordable home, whether its to raise a family or to sell for a profit later.

Employment

Unemployment is low in Decatur, at only 3.7% in 2017, and jobs are growing at about 2.4% each year. The most common industries in Decatur include health care, construction, education, food services, transportation, and administration. Commuters only need about 20 minutes to get to work on average, compared to 26 minutes for the rest of the country.

Notable Employers:

• Decatur Morgan Hospital
• Decatur Energy Center
• John C Calhoun State Community College

Education

Decatur also offers many educational opportunities for adults and children alike. There are seven colleges and universities within 50 miles of Decatur, including, but not limited to:

• Athens State University
• The University of North Alabama
• John C Calhoun State Community College

Decatur also features seven public high schools and two private high schools, along with ten public and one private elementary school. The Decatur Public Library features thousands of print books and ebooks as well as access to many local and state databases.

Entertainment

What about entertainment? Not only does the Tennessee River and Wheeler Lake offer plenty of opportunities for boating and fishing, but a variety of parks are available as well.

• Delano Park offers a beautiful rose garden and walking trails.
• Point Mallard Waterpark offers a day of fun options during the warmer summer months. Visitors and residents can also look forward to the Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Classic event which takes place at Mallard Point in Decatur every year.
• Cook’s Natural Science Museum and Carnegie Visual Arts Center offer educational entertainment while the Funland Golf Course offers outdoor entertainment.

If you decide to make Decatur, Alabama, your home, whether it’s to raise a family in a quality school system or to seek employment in a growing community, contact our real estate agent, Hobert Pruitt, for all of your residential needs. We are happy to help!