Decatur, Illinois

For other uses, see Decatur.

Decatur, incorporated in 1836, is the county seat of Macon CountyTemplate:GR, Illinois in the USA. It is also the principal city of and is included in the Decatur, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 81,860, but a 2003 estimate showed the population dipped to 79,285.

The Decatur Transfer House in the background with a newly completed fountain in the foreground. Located in Central Park downtown.

This town is named after War of 1812 naval hero Stephen Decatur, Jr.

The city's motto is "Decatur, We Like it Here" . The old motto was "The Pride of the Prairie". "The Soybean Capital of the World" is the unofficial motto. The city symbol is the Transfer House, an early 20th century Victorian structure originally located in the center of town where the city's mass transit lines met. The Transfer House was moved in 1963 to save it from destruction as roads were being built for the increasing automobile traffic. There is currently an effort, led by mayor Paul Osborne, to return the Transfer House to its original location.

Decatur is the location of Millikin University, founded by James Millikin. The city is largely industrial in character, with production facilities for Caterpillar, Archer Daniels Midland, and Tate & Lyle (previously A. E. Staley). The Firestone factory in Decatur closed at the end of 2001 after the dispute with Ford Motor Company. In the transition from a manufacturing to a service economy, Decatur has experienced significant population loss: in 1980, the population was 94,081.

Geography

Decatur is located at 39°51′6″N 88°56′39″W (39.851636, -88.944228)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 118.8 km² (45.9 mi²). 107.6 km² (41.6 mi²) of it is land and 11.2 km² (4.3 mi²) of it (9.42%) is water. Lakes include Lake Decatur, formed by the damming of the Sangamon River, and Lake Tokorozawa.

History

Decatur was the first home in Illinois of Abraham Lincoln. On May 6, 1860 the Illinois Republican Convention was held in Decatur. At this convention Lincoln received his first endorsement for president of the United States.

Post No. 1 of the Grand Army of the Republic was founded by Civil War veterans in Decatur on April 6, 1866.

Decatur was the original home of the Chicago Bears, from 1919-1920. The football team was known as the Decatur Staleys and played at Staley Field, both named after the local food product manufacturer.

Jesse Jackson protest

In November 1999, Decatur was brought into the national news when the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition protested the expulsion and treatment of several African American students who had been involved in a serious fight.[2]

Transportation

Decatur Airport provides an air link to Decatur. Interstate 72, U.S. Route 51, U.S. Route 36, Illinois Route 48, Illinois Route 105, and Illinois Route 121 are key highway links for the area as well.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 81,860 people, 34,086 households, and 21,099 families residing in the city. The population density was 760.5/km² (1,969.7/mi²). There were 37,239 housing units at an average density of 346.0/km² (896.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 77.59% White, 19.47% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 1.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.19% of the population.

There were 34,086 households out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.0% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,111, and the median income for a family was $42,379. Males had a median income of $36,920 versus $22,359 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,009. About 12.1% of families and 16.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.1% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

Sister cities

Decatur is a sister city to Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan, and to Seevetal, Lower Saxony, Germany.

Partial list of mayors

• Robert A. Grohne (1959-1963)
• Terry M. Howley (1995-2003)
• Paul Osborne (2003-)

People from Decatur

• James C. Alling — President — Starbucks Coffee, USA
• Alison Krauss — bluegrass artist — born in Decatur in 1971
• Stephen Mason — guitar player: member of Jars of Clay — born in Joliet; moved to Decatur and attended Warrensburg-Latham schools from 3rd grade
• Richard Peck — children's author: 2001 Newbery Medal winner — born in Decatur in 1934
• Professional wrestler Isaac Yankem, DDS (ostensibly an evil dentist) was billed from Decatur, with ring announcers placing an emphasis on the "decay" syllable.
• Professional Boxer - Dr. Michael J. Pacyga MD

Invented In Decatur

• Spiral Screwdriver Decatur Coffin Companies' Early Racheting Screwdriver
• Photo Timer Robert Faries' Pneumatic Photo Timer

In Music

• "Decatur, Or, Round of Applause For Your Step Mother!" is a song by Sufjan Stevens on his album Illinois. The song refers to several locations and events associated with Decatur, including the Scovill Zoo, Caterpillar factory, Greenwood cemetery, strong historical ties to Abraham Lincoln, and the Sangamon River, (which is mispronounced as "Sang-a-man.")

External links

• City of Decatur Webpage
• Decatur Celebration official webpage
• Macon County Circuit Clerk