Decatur, Texas

Decatur, Texas
—  City  —
Location of Decatur, Texas
Coordinates: 33°13′52″N 97°35′19″W / 33.23111°N 97.58861°W / 33.23111; -97.58861Coordinates: 33°13′52″N 97°35′19″W / 33.23111°N 97.58861°W / 33.23111; -97.58861
Country	United States
State	Texas
County	Wise
Area
– Total	7.0 sq mi (18.0 km2)
– Land	7.0 sq mi (18.0 km2)
– Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	1,102 ft (336 m)
Population (2008)[1]
– Total	6,432
– Density	918.9/sq mi (357.3/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
– Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	76234
Area code(s)	940
FIPS code	48-19528[2]
GNIS feature ID	1373362[3]

Map of the city in 1890

Decatur is a city located in Wise County, Texas, United States. This city was named after Stephen Decatur, Jr. The population was 5,201 at the 2000 census. A July 1, 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 6,432.^[1] It is the county seat of Wise County.^[4] Decatur is part of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and is located 25 miles northwest of Fort Worth and 45 miles northwest of Dallas.

Geography

Decatur is located at 33°13′52″N 97°35′19″W / 33.23111°N 97.58861°W / 33.23111; -97.58861 (33.231073, -97.588628).^[5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.0 square miles (18.0 km²). 7.0 square miles (18.0 km²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water. The highest point of elevation in the county is at the location that the courthouse in Decatur currently occupies. The intent of placing the town on this high point of elevation was to be able to sight and ward off any incoming attacks or raids by Native Americans.

Demographics

As of the census^[2] of 2000, there were 5,201 people residing in the city. The population density was 747.6 people per square mile (288.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.64% White, 1.98% African American, 0.58% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 12.44% from other races, and 2.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 22.53% of the population.

There are 1,845 households out of which 37.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% are married couples living together, 11.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 28.5% are non-families. 24.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.67 and the average family size is 3.19.

In the city the population is spread out with 17.2% under the age of 18, 20.5% from 18 to 24, 38.1% from 25 to 44, 8.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 97.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,449, and the median income for a family was $40,580. Males had a median income of $30,512 versus $21,213 for females.

Education

The City of Decatur is served by the Decatur Independent School District (DISD). It is the largest district in Wise County. Decatur ISD is centered in Decatur, Texas. The district currently has six campuses. The current campuses are: Decatur High School, Decatur Middle School, Decatur Intermediate School, Carson Elementary School, Rann Elementary School and Young Elementary. In the 2007-2008 school year, Decatur ISD's enrollment was approximately 3,000 students.

Decatur Baptist College (now Dallas Baptist University) was the world's first junior college. Its Administration Building is now the home of the Wise County Heritage Museum.

Constructions

The Service Broadcasting Tower Decatur,^[6][7] a guyed TV-mast, belongs to world's tallest constructions.^{[citation needed]}

During the last full week of July, Decatur is the home to the Wise County Old Settlers reunion. The Wise County Old Settlers Settlers Reunion has been going on since 1864.

Notable people

• Trevor Brazile, Eight Time All-Around Cowboy World Champion.
• Harley True Burton (1888–1964), historian, college president, and former mayor of Clarendon in Donley County, was born in Decatur.
• Lane Elenburg, Castmember of Big Brother 12
• The Coopers who are a big rodeo family also reside in Decatur. The Father Roy Cooper, his sons Clint, Clif, and Tuf Cooper. Also the three sons' brother in law, 8 time world champion Trevor Brazile lives there.
• Patrick Sean Smith, creator and writer of the ABC Family Series Greek, was a 1992 graduate of Decatur High School. "As an ABC Family co-executive producer/creator, Smith has written for other shows such as Everwood, Summerland and Wildfire, on ABC Family." Wise County Messenger, July, 2007

Community Information

The City of Decatur has a full-service, award-winning public library. The Decatur Public Library is located at 1700 Hwy. 51 S.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Table 4: Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Texas, Listed Alphabetically: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2008" (CSV). United States Census Bureau, Population Division. 2009-07-01. http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2008-04-48.csv. Retrieved 2010-05-04. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
3. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23. 
6. ^ Service Broadcasting Tower retrieved May 19, 2007
7. ^ Antenna Structure Registration #1040339 retrieved May 19, 2007

• Jim Tom Barton, "DECATUR, TX," Handbook of Texas Online (http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hgd03), accessed May 28, 2011. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.

External links

• City of Decatur - Official Website
• Decatur Chamber of Commerce
• Decatur Main Street
• Wise County on the Web
• Decatur ISD