Decatur, AL

Decatur is a city located in DeKalb County, Alabama, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 20,811. Decatur is included in the Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The city was founded in 1819 by General James F. Fagan and named for Decatur, Illinois. The first post office opened on February 15, 1820. The city's economy was based largely on cotton production until the late 19th century when other industries began to emerge such as furniture manufacturing and food processing. In 1901 Decatur became the first municipality in Alabama to electrify its public streets and buildings with overhead trolley wires from a substation.

Today Decatur is home to several businesses including Regions Bank (the largest bank headquartered in Alabama), Southern Company (a Fortune 500 energy company), DCH Regional Medical Center (one of two Level I trauma centers serving southeastern Alabama), and many others. The city has also seen an influx of new residents due to its proximity to Birmingham as well as its many amenities such as parks and lakeshores which make it a desirable place to live or work.