Decatur, Illinois
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| Decatur, Illinois | |
|---|---|
| Name | Decatur |
| Settlement type | City |
| Nickname | The Soybean Capital of the World, Pride of the Prairie |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | Illinois |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Macon |
| Established title | Founded |
| Established date | 1829 |
| Government type | Council–manager |
| Leader title | Mayor |
| Leader name | Julie Moore Wolfe |
| Unit pref | Imperial |
| Area total km2 | 121.17 |
| Area total sq mi | 46.78 |
| Area land km2 | 108.01 |
| Area land sq mi | 41.70 |
| Area water km2 | 13.16 |
| Area water sq mi | 5.08 |
| Elevation m | 206 |
| Elevation ft | 676 |
| Population total | 70,522 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population density km2 | 653.0 |
| Population density sq mi | 1691.2 |
| Timezone | CST |
| Utc offset | −6 |
| Timezone DST | CDT |
| Utc offset DST | −5 |
| Coordinates | 39, 51, 6, N... |
| Postal code type | ZIP Codes |
| Postal code | 62521–62526 |
| Area code | 217 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 17-18823 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 2394489 |
| Website | decaturil.gov |
Decatur, Illinois. It is the largest city and county seat of Macon County, Illinois, situated along the Sangamon River in central Illinois. Founded in 1829, the city grew as a vital transportation and agricultural processing hub, earning the nickname "The Soybean Capital of the World." Today, it remains a significant center for agribusiness and hosts major corporate headquarters alongside a diverse cultural and recreational landscape.
History
The area was originally home to the Kickapoo people before American settlement. The city was founded in 1829 and named for Stephen Decatur, a prominent United States Navy officer. Its early growth was fueled by its location on the Sangamon River and the arrival of the Illinois Central Railroad and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, making it a key rail junction. Abraham Lincoln practiced law here in the Eighth Judicial Circuit, and the city was the site of the 1894 Pullman Strike trial of Eugene V. Debs. Major 20th-century development was driven by the establishment of the A. E. Staley Manufacturing Company and the Archer Daniels Midland Company, cementing its role in global agribusiness.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 46.78 square miles, with 41.70 square miles of land and 5.08 square miles of water. The primary water feature is the artificial Lake Decatur, created by damming the Sangamon River in 1922 to provide water for industry. The city lies within the Central Illinois region, characterized by fertile prairie land. Major parks include Fairview Park and Nelson Park, with the latter bordering the lake. The city's layout is a grid pattern, with Illinois Route 48 and U.S. Route 36 serving as key thoroughfares.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 70,522, a decline from previous decades. The racial makeup was approximately 66.1% White, 22.8% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.3% Asian, and 4.8% identifying as two or more races. Hispanic and Latino Americans of any race comprised 4.5% of the population. The median household income is below the state average, and a significant portion of the population holds jobs in manufacturing and transportation. Major educational institutions include Millikin University and Richland Community College.
Economy
The economy has long been dominated by agribusiness and food processing. Archer Daniels Midland Company, a Fortune 500 company, is headquartered here, and Tate & Lyle operates a major corn wet milling facility, a successor to the A. E. Staley Manufacturing Company plant. Other significant employers include Caterpillar Inc., which has a large manufacturing plant, and Mueller Water Products. The Decatur Park District and Macon County government are also leading employers. The city's Norfolk Southern Railway yard remains an important freight hub.
Culture and recreation
The city is home to the Decatur Civic Center and the Kirkland Fine Arts Center at Millikin University. Annual events include the Decatur Celebration festival, the Soy Capital Air Show, and the Blue Connection art gallery exhibitions. The Scovill Zoo and the Children's Museum of Illinois are key family attractions. Sports are centered around the Decatur Park District, which manages facilities like the Decatur Indoor Sports Center, and the city has a rich minor league baseball history, formerly hosting the Decatur Commodores. The James Millikin Homestead is a notable historical site.
Government
The city operates under a council-manager system. The Decatur City Council consists of six council members and the mayor, Julie Moore Wolfe, all elected at-large. The council appoints a professional city manager to oversee daily operations. The city provides full municipal services, including police through the Decatur Police Department and fire protection through the Decatur Fire Department. It is part of Illinois's 13th congressional district and is represented in the Illinois General Assembly within the 48th Senate and 96th House districts.
Category:Cities in Illinois Category:Macon County, Illinois Category:County seats in Illinois