Decatur, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Decatur, Tennessee had a total population of 1,898, the 229th largest town in Tennessee, with a median household income of $42,578, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 23.1% is notably above the national average.
Decatur Quick Facts
How Decatur Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,501 | 1,898 | No clear change (+26.4%) |
| Median household income | $54,115 | $42,578 | No clear change (-21.3%) |
| Median home value¹ | $154,823 | $220,900 | +42.7% |
| Median gross rent | $763 | $847 | +11.0% |
How Decatur Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 91.3%
- Black: 2.8%
- Hispanic: 0.9%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 0.0%
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 18.4%
- HS Diploma: 44.0%
- Some College: 21.9%
- Associate's: 4.6%
- Bachelor's: 7.4%
- Graduate+: 3.7%
Decatur Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Cities Similar to Decatur
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jellico | 1,855 | $41,467 | $127,300 | 15.9% | 27.7% |
| Hampton | 1,883 | $39,028 | $98,200 | 10.7% | 19.9% |
| Cowan | 1,934 | $46,406 | $174,500 | 13.3% | 30.8% |
| Halls (Lauderdale County) | 2,034 | $43,750 | $137,200 | 9.0% | 16.6% |
| Central | 1,938 | $37,444 | $151,800 | 15.6% | 11.7% |
Population Overview
Decatur is a small community located in Tennessee, within Meigs County. The total population is 1,898. It ranks as the 229th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Decatur is 42.4 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 38.9 years. 10.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Decatur is $42,578. This is 39% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 34.3%. This is 149% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 23.1%. This is 393% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $220,900. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x. 57.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Decatur has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.3% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.8%. The Black or African American population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 15.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
11.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 64% lower than the state rate of 31.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Decatur, Tennessee is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Tennessee state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Decatur, Tennessee?
Decatur, Tennessee has a population of 1,898 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Decatur, TN?
The median household income in Decatur is $42,578, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Decatur, TN?
The poverty rate in Decatur is 34.3%. This means approximately 615 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Decatur, Tennessee?
Decatur's population is 91.3% White, 2.8% Black, 0.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Decatur, TN?
The median home value in Decatur is $220,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.2x.
How educated is Decatur, Tennessee?
11.2% of adults (25+) in Decatur hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.