Decatur - Atlanta's Most Popular Neighborhood

With just over 20,000 people, Decatur is one of the most popular areas of Atlanta, a hub of commerce, dining, and cultural affairs. Founded in 1822 and named after a naval war hero, Decatur quickly grew into a thriving city, rejecting the Western and Atlantic Railroad but still playing an integral role in the Battle of Atlanta.

After a brief period of decline, the city rebounded with several developments that led the way towards Decatur's reputation as a welcoming, progressive city with involved citizens and popular destinations.

Decatur schools are some of the best in Georgia – from top ranked Decatur High School, Renfroe Middle School, and Winona Park Elementary and Fernbank Elementary to esteemed private schools Friends School, The Waldorf School, and The Paideia School, Decatur's school system is bar none.

Decatur has numerous restaurants and shops that draw crowds every day of the year, but none so popular as its many festivals.The Decatur Arts Festival, Blues & Bluegrass Festival, The Decatur Book Festival, The Decatur Beer Festival, and numerous other parades, concerts, art walks, runs, and pub crawls draw crowds from all over the Atlanta area.

Decatur is also home to numerous historic structures and sites, including Agnes Scott College Historic District, Clairemont Historic District, Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur Cemetery, and the Old DeKalb County Courthouse.A number of historic houses are on this list, as well, though many are still privately owned.Most structures and locations are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Decatur Fun Fact: Decatur's eight parks stretch 56.5 acres, which totals to about 43 football fields!