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!