Decatur, Texas

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Decatur, Texas
—  City  —
City Hall in Decatur
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 (2010)[1]
 • Total 6,042
 • Density Bad rounding here860/sq mi (Bad rounding here340/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]
Decatur, TX, welcome sign IMG 6786.JPG


Map of the city in 1890
A portion of Decatur Town Square
The courthouse is at the point of highest elevation in Decatur and Wise County.
The McMurray-Gettys Building on Main Street across from the Wise County Courthouse
Veterans exhibit in Decatur
The Decatur Civic Center is located west of the city off U.S. Route 380.

Decatur is a city located in Wise County, Texas, United States. The municipality is named for Stephen Decatur, Jr., the 19th century American military officer known for the quotation: "My country, may she always be in the right, but my country, right or wrong!"

The population was 6,042 at the 2010 census. A July 1, 2008 U.S. Census Bureau had estimated 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 twenty-five miles northwest of Fort Worth and forty-five miles northwest of Dallas.

Contents

Geography [edit]

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 in Decatur which houses the courthouse. 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 [edit]

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 [edit]

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, McCarroll Middle School, Carson Elementary School, Rann Elementary School and Young Elementary. Decatur ISD Homepage 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 now houses the Wise County Heritage Museum.

Constructions [edit]

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 [edit]

Trevor Brazile, 12-time PRCA rodeo World Champion[8]

Roy Cooper, 8-time PRCA rodeo World Champion[9]

Clint Cooper, PRCA rodeo cowboy

Tuf Cooper, PRCA rodeo cowboy

Cliff Cooper, PRCA rodeo cowboy

Will Gasperson, PRCA rodeo cowboy

Jake Halverson, PRCA rodeo cowboy

John E. Hatley, former Army Master Sergeant convicted of murdering Iraqi detainees

K.C. Jones, PRCA rodeo cowboy

Phil Ryan, Texas lawman

Guinn Williams, Western movie star

Community Information [edit]

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

References [edit]

External links [edit]