We believe that every move is a new journey in your life and should be treated that way. The home you saved up for, and the memories you’re about to create, should be greeted with great enthusiasm and expectation. It’s about the next chapter in your life that will be looked back on in the years to come.
Is Decatur GA a Good Place to Live? 🌼🪵 | Why You’ll Love Living in Decatur GA!
Situated just east of Atlanta in DeKalb County, Decatur GA blends small-town charm with all of the conveniences of urban living. Known for its welcoming community, top-rated public schools, and fun annual events, it’s no wonder so many people are asking “Is Decatur GA a good place to live?”
Decatur’s history dates back to 1823, making it one of Georgia’s oldest cities. Over the years, it has evolved into a thriving, diverse community. Decatur is now known for its walkable neighborhoods, local businesses, and energy which makes it a standout in the metro Atlanta area. Living in Decatur GA has never been better!
Whether you’re drawn to Decatur’s family-friendly atmosphere, its amazing food scene, or the abundance of live music and art festivals, there’s something for everyone. Decatur residents take pride in building relationships with neighbors, supporting local businesses, and creating a tight-knit community.
If you’re thinking about living in Decatur GA, this blog will explore everything you need to know, from the best neighborhoods and schools to lively events and local hotspots that make this city truly special. Here’s everything you need to know about moving to Decatur GA.
Decatur GA is a good place to live. This family-friendly Atlanta suburb prioritizes community involvement, and you’ll certainly feel at home when living in Decatur GA.
What county is Decatur in? Decatur is in DeKalb County. One of the largest cities in DeKalb County GA, Decatur is the county seat. The city limits of Decatur are within the Atlanta metro area, and the city is bordered by Atlanta, and the Kirkwood, Lake Claire, and Druid Hills neighborhoods. It’s also close to the CDPs of North Decatur, Belvedere Park, and Gresham Park.
How far is Decatur from Atlanta? Decatur is 6.7 miles from Downtown Atlanta and is accessible via several major highways. When living in Decatur GA, you can enjoy a great public transportation system. There are three MARTA stations in Decatur, which offer bus service to residents in and around the city.
Are you ready to make living in Decatur GA a reality? Give our Decatur movers a call! With our Decatur moving company by your side, you won’t need to worry about a thing.
How many people are Living in Decatur GA? There are 24,928 people living in Decatur GA, which is a 28.9% increase over the past year. Residents living in Decatur GA are very affluent, and the city has a median household income of $140,480. This is higher than the Georgia average of $74,664.
There are several notable people from Decatur, including NFL player Harrison Butker, singer Keri Hilson, and musician Michael Stipe.
Additional Decatur GA Demographics
Sex ratio: 51.2% female, 48.8% male
Median age: 38.7
Racial & ethnic composition: 67.8% White (65.2% non-Hispanic), 13.0% two or more races, 12.8% Black or African American, 5.5% Asian, 0.3% American Indian
Educational attainment: 96.0% high school degree (or higher), 77.3% bachelor’s degree (or higher)
Foreign-born population: 9.5%
Is Decatur GA safe? Let’s take a look at the Decatur crime rate.
Overall crime rate: 2,848 crimes per 100,000 people (38.4% higher than state average and 22.5% higher than national average)
Violent crime rate: 132 crimes per 100,000 people (64.0% lower than state average and 64.3% lower than national average)
Property crime rate: 2,717 crimes per 100,000 people (60.7% higher than state average and 39.0% higher than national average)
As you can see, most of the crime in Decatur GA is property crime. Although frustrating, property crime is not generally a threat to your safety and you can take steps to minimize your risk of becoming a victim. As such, Decatur is a safe place to live.
What is the cost of living in Decatur GA? The Decatur Cost of Living Index is 104.8, meaning that living in Decatur GA is 4.8% more expensive than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in Decatur GA would need to earn $112,451 per year to live comfortably in the city.
About $1,336 per month of this budget will go to taxes such as the City of Decatur property taxes, sales tax, and income tax.
Are you thinking about buying or renting Decatur real estate after moving to the area? According to Redfin, the average home price in Decatur is $499,900, which is higher than the national average of $427,000. Most of the homes for sale in Decatur GA are single-family homes. The housing market is starting to slow down, with home prices down 13.8% compared to last year.
According to RentCafe, the average rent in Decatur GA is $1,522. A few of the most affordable neighborhoods to rent in include Emerald Estates, Glen Valley, and Hairson Forest.
Neighborhoods in Decatur Georgia | Where to Live in Decatur GA
Here are a few neighborhoods to consider checking out before moving to Decatur GA.
Downtown Decatur | Busy Neighborhood Within Walking Distance of Shops and Restaurants
Downtown Decatur is a bustling area close to some of the city’s best coffee shops, boutiques, and live music venues. Downtown Decatur is popular among renters, with apartment complexes like Candler Commons and Ice House Lofts in the area.
Many families living in Decatur GA choose to settle down in the Diamond Head neighborhood. This neighborhood is within walking distance of popular schools like Preschool at the Heights and Enrichment Station, as well as the beautiful Shamrock Forest.
Looking for a quieter place to enjoy when living in Decatur GA? Head over to the Lavista neighborhood. Lavista offers several fun recreational opportunities at places like Twin Lakes Swim and Tennis Club and Briarlake Forest Park.
Decatur GA Weather & Climate
Is Decatur GA a good place to live when it comes to weather? Like many places in GA, Decatur has a humid subtropical climate. This means that you’ll enjoy long, hot summers and cool to mild winters when living in Decatur GA.
Here are a few climate statistics for Decatur:
Average high summer Decatur temperature: 89ºF
Average low winter Decatur temperature: 35ºF
Average annual rainfall in Decatur: 53 inches
Average annual snowfall in Decatur: 1.5 inches
Things to Do in Decatur GA
When living in Decatur GA, you can enjoy plenty of fun things to do. The city hosts fun festivals like the Decatur Arts Festival and the Decatur Book Festival, and there’s always something going on in the area. For grocery shopping, check out Your DeKalb Farmers Market, and if you’re in the mood for retail shopping, the nearby Mall of Georgia is a great option. Here are a few fun things to do in Decatur GA.
When living in Decatur GA, you need to check out Decatur Square. Decatur Square is a 15-block walkable district with retail stores and over 45 local and national restaurants.
Brick Store Pub is a popular place among those living in Decatur GA, and is one of the best Downtown Decatur restaurants. Here, you’ll find casual pub food like fish ‘n’ chips and nachos.
After moving to Decatur, make sure you check out No.246. This Italian spot features traditional dishes that you can enjoy in the fancy dining room or sun-filled patio.
Are you interested in finding a new job before moving to Decatur GA? Many people living in Decatur GA commute to Atlanta for work at top companies like Delta Air Lines, Cox Enterprises, and Northside Hospital. However, Decatur has a strong emphasis on supporting small businesses, and the Economic Development staff works hard to empower and grow companies.
According to Payscale, the average salary in Decatur is $69,000. If you’re on the hunt for Decatur jobs, try checking out Indeed or the city job board.
Decatur Schools
One of the biggest draws of living in Decatur GA is the excellent education options available to families. The city is served by two primary school systems. The Decatur School District and the DeKalb County School District. The Decatur School District is a highly-rated, independent public school system known for its small class sizes and strong academic performance. It includes sought-after elementary schools like Clairemont, Glenwood, and Westchester, as well as high schools in Decatur GA, such as Decatur High School.
Beyond the public school system, Decatur also offers a variety of alternative education options. Families looking for private schools in Decatur GA can choose from highly-rated options like The Friends School of Atlanta, Academe of the Oaks (a Waldorf School), and The International Montessori School. Additionally, Decatur is close to Emory University, one of the nation’s top private research institutions.
So, is Decatur GA a good place to live? Yes! Living in Decatur GA has never been better. If you’re ready to call Decatur home, then get in touch with the Decatur movers at Wirks Moving & Storage. As one of the best moving companies in Decatur GA, Wirks Moving & Storage is here to make moving to Decatur as smooth and stress-free as possible. To get started with a free quote, give us a call today at (404) 635-6683.
Eric Wirks
Eric Wirks started out in the moving industry over 16 years ago and after gaining in depth expertise in all industry related areas, went on to found Wirks Moving & Storage in 2009. Under Eric’s expert tutelage Wirks Moving & Storage has since serviced over 10,000 moves and kept their customers very happy, proven by a 98% customer referral rate.
