Decatur: Economy & Jobs
Earnings in Decatur center on a median $61,563 (1.1× below Morgan County median $68,845; about the same as Alabama median $63,999), with homes at a median value of $210,200. The surrounding county supports 34,080 jobs (avg $62,717).
- $83,398 avg taxable income per return — higher than the median household income (vs Alabama $72,247).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $61,563 — near the Alabama median ($59,143). Poverty rate 13.1% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Affordability · Price To Income Ratio | 3.4× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Rent To Income Pct | 17.5% |
| Affordability · Affordable | Yes |
| Affordability · Interpretation | affordable |
| County Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $48,900 |
| County Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $4,078,181 |
| County Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $83,398 (vs Alabama $72,247) |
| Income Estimate | $68,178 |
| Median Household Income | $61,563 (vs Alabama $59,143) |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | mixed |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Manufacturing |
| Economic Character · Income Level | middle-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $61,563 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 2.6% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 7% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min | 21.10 |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 6.6% |
| Commuter Profile · Profile | short commute |
| County Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 34,080 |
| County Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $2,137,406,415 |
| County Employment · Average annual pay | $62,717 |
| All Occupations · Employment | 2,053,090 |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| County Agriculture · Total Farms | 74 |
|---|---|
| County Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 255,290 |
| County Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 3,449.90 |
| County Agriculture · Top Commodities | Crop Totals, Animal Totals, Grain, Poultry Totals, Soybeans |
| County Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 1,571 |
| County Business Patterns · Total Employees | 24,631 |
| County Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 1,273,939 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| County Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 8 |
|---|---|
| County Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 4 |
| County Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 6 |
| County Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 62 |
| County Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 28 |
| County Local Businesses · Clothing Stores | 3 |
| County Local Businesses · Pet Stores | 3 |
| County Local Businesses · Bookstores | 4 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| County Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 41 |
|---|---|
| County Dining Scene · Fast Food | 56 |
| County Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 11 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (20)
Sources: FDIC Institutions/Branches · Refreshed 2026-04-12
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (5)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Dollar General 30981 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 76 |
Sources: USDA SNAP API — state+city name match · USDA SNAP Retailer Locator · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | DECATUR WOMENS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| County Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $733,346,894 |
|---|---|
| County Federal Spending · Per Capita | 7,080.69 (vs Alabama $8,117) |
| County Federal Spending · Population | 103,570 people (vs Alabama 26,673) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 80.3% |
|---|---|
| Pct Public Transit | 1.2% |
| Pct Walked | 6.6% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 39.7 years (vs Alabama 37.3y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 36.5% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 1 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Affordable | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | strong SS base, hospital access, VA nearby, affordable |
| Retirement Score · Rating | excellent |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12