Decatur, Mississippi

Decatur, Mississippi is a town located in Newton County, Mississippi, near the Natchez Trace Parkway and Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge. The town is situated approximately 15 miles northwest of Meridian, Mississippi, and is part of the Meridian, Mississippi Micropolitan Statistical Area. Decatur is also close to the Kemper County, Mississippi border, and is near the Alabama state line, with Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Birmingham, Alabama being nearby cities. The town is surrounded by the Bienville National Forest and the De Soto National Forest, and is near the Pearl River.

Geography

Decatur, Mississippi is situated in the eastern part of the state, near the Alabama border, and is close to the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and the Black Warrior River. The town is located in the Black Prairie Belt region of Mississippi, which is known for its fertile soil and rolling hills. Decatur is also near the Noxubee River and the Chickasawhay River, and is surrounded by the Homochitto National Forest and the Delta National Forest. The town's geography is similar to that of nearby Union, Mississippi and Newton, Mississippi, and is also close to the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians reservation. Decatur is near the Golden Triangle region of Mississippi, which includes the cities of Starkville, Mississippi, Columbus, Mississippi, and West Point, Mississippi.

History

The area that is now Decatur, Mississippi was originally inhabited by the Choctaw Native American tribe, and was later settled by European-Americans in the early 19th century. The town was founded in 1832, and was named after Stephen Decatur, a United States Navy commodore who was a hero of the War of 1812 and the Barbary Wars. Decatur, Mississippi was also a major stop on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, which connected the town to Mobile, Alabama and Cairo, Illinois. The town played a significant role in the American Civil War, with nearby battles including the Battle of Meridian and the Battle of Vicksburg. Decatur, Mississippi is also close to the Natchez National Historical Park and the Tupelo National Battlefield.

Demographics

As of the 2010 United States Census, the population of Decatur, Mississippi was approximately 1,841 people, with a racial makeup that was predominantly African American and White American. The town has a median household income of around $30,000, and a median home value of around $70,000. Decatur, Mississippi is also home to a significant number of Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians tribal members, and is near the Choctaw Indian Reservation. The town's demographics are similar to those of nearby Meridian, Mississippi and Laurel, Mississippi, and are also influenced by the nearby cities of Jackson, Mississippi and Gulfport, Mississippi. Decatur, Mississippi is also close to the University of Mississippi and the Mississippi State University.

Economy

The economy of Decatur, Mississippi is primarily driven by the manufacturing and agriculture industries, with major employers including the Georgia-Pacific paper mill and the International Paper company. The town is also home to a number of small businesses, including restaurants and retail stores, and is near the Meridian Regional Airport and the Key Field. Decatur, Mississippi is also close to the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, which provides access to the Gulf of Mexico and the Port of Pascagoula. The town's economy is also influenced by the nearby cities of Tupelo, Mississippi and Oxford, Mississippi, and is part of the Mississippi Development Authority and the East Mississippi Business Development Corporation. Decatur, Mississippi is also near the Stennis Space Center and the John C. Stennis Space Center.

Education

Decatur, Mississippi is served by the Newton County School District, which operates several public schools in the area, including Decatur Elementary School and Newton County High School. The town is also home to a number of private schools, including Newton County Academy and Decatur Christian School. Decatur, Mississippi is near the East Central Community College and the Meridian Community College, and is also close to the University of Southern Mississippi and the Mississippi University for Women. The town's education system is also influenced by the nearby cities of Starkville, Mississippi and Columbus, Mississippi, and is part of the Mississippi Department of Education and the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning.

Infrastructure

Decatur, Mississippi is served by a number of major highways, including U.S. Route 80 and Mississippi Highway 15, which provide access to nearby cities such as Meridian, Mississippi and Jackson, Mississippi. The town is also near the Meridian Regional Airport and the Key Field, which offer flights to Atlanta, Georgia and Memphis, Tennessee. Decatur, Mississippi is also close to the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, which provides access to the Gulf of Mexico and the Port of Pascagoula. The town's infrastructure is also influenced by the nearby cities of Tupelo, Mississippi and Gulfport, Mississippi, and is part of the Mississippi Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. Decatur, Mississippi is also near the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians reservation and the Natchez Trace Parkway. Category:Mississippi