Decatur, Texas
Encyclopedia
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. It is the county seat
of Wise County
. Decatur is part of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
and is located 25 miles northwest of Fort Worth
and 45 miles northwest of Dallas.
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.
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.
(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.
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.
Wise County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 48,793 people, 17,178 households, and 13,467 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile . There were 19,242 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. This city was named after Stephen Decatur, Jr.
Stephen Decatur
Stephen Decatur, Jr. , was an American naval officer notable for his many naval victories in the early 19th century. He was born on the eastern shore of Maryland, Worcester county, the son of a U.S. Naval Officer who served during the American Revolution. Shortly after attending college Decatur...
The population was 5,201 at the 2000 census. A July 1, 2008 U.S. Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
estimate placed the population at 6,432. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Wise County
Wise County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 48,793 people, 17,178 households, and 13,467 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile . There were 19,242 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile...
. Decatur is part of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
The Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington Metropolitan Statistical Area, a title designated by the U.S. Census as of 2003, encompasses 12 counties within the U.S. state of Texas. The area is divided into two metropolitan divisions: Dallas–Plano–Irving and Fort Worth–Arlington. Residents of the area...
and is located 25 miles northwest of Fort Worth
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
and 45 miles northwest of Dallas.
Geography
Decatur is located at 33°13′52"N 97°35′19"W (33.231073, -97.588628).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, 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 censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 5,201 people residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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 DistrictDecatur Independent School District
Decatur Independent School District is a public school district based in Decatur, Texas .Decatur Independent School District is a 3A School District northwest of Fort Worth. Decatur ISD is centered in Decatur, Texas, county seat in Wise County...
(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
Dallas Baptist University
Dallas Baptist University , formerly known as Dallas Baptist College, is a Christian liberal arts university located in Dallas, Texas. The main campus is located approximately fifteen miles southwest of downtown Dallas overlooking Mountain Creek Lake...
) 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, a guyed TV-mast, belongs to world's tallest constructions.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