The Town FilesDecatur, Arkansas
City in Benton County · population 1,773 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $157,600
- Household income
- $45,179
- Jan low / Jul high
- 29° / 93°
- Snow a year
- 13 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 33
- Median age
- 36.4
Decatur is a city of 1,773 people in Benton County, Arkansas. The median home is worth $157,600, above the typical Arkansas town ($128,600). It ranks better for first-time buyers than 89% of Arkansas towns, better for young professionals than 86% of Arkansas towns, more upscale than 81% of Arkansas towns.
How Decatur ranks
Percentile among Arkansas towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Arkansas towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Decatur is worth $157,600, above the typical Arkansas town ($128,600). Homes cost about 3.5 times the median household income of $45,179, which is more affordable than 21% of Arkansas towns. Median rent is $813 a month. 38.6% of households own their home.
| Housing | Decatur | Typical Arkansas town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $157,600 | $128,600 |
| Median rent | $813 | $792 |
| Median household income | $45,179 | $50,408 |
| Home value ÷ income | 3.5× | 2.7× |
| Homeownership | 38.6% | 64.9% |
| Median year built | 1994 | 1980 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 0.0% | — |
Who lives in Decatur
| People | Decatur | Typical Arkansas town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.4 | 37.8 |
| Age 65 and over | 13.0% | 17.2% |
| Under 18 | 23.4% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.0% | 16.5% |
| Below the poverty line | 11.8% | 19.7% |
| Veterans | 6.9% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 22.6% | — |
| Work from home | 3.0% | 5.3% |
| Average commute | 20.8 min | 22.2 min |
| Homes with broadband | 87.8% | 84.4% |
Weather in Decatur
July highs average 92.5°F and January lows 28.7°F. About 48.6 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 12.5 inches of snow (typical Arkansas town: 2.6 in). Expect about 61 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 78 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
33 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Decatur since 1950, compared with 24 for the typical Arkansas town. 7 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an EF3, struck on May 26, 2024 about 2.8 miles from the town center. The most recent was on June 18, 2025.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 63 times; the largest was 4.00 inches on March 14, 2024.
Severe weather in Benton County since 1996
Benton County has been included in 25 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, drought, hurricane.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| January 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | EM-3636: Severe Winter Storm |
| April 5, 2025 | Severe Storm | EM-3627: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding |
| May 30, 2024 | Severe Storm | DR-4788: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding |
| August 27, 2020 | Hurricane | EM-3541: Hurricane Laura |
| April 3, 2020 | Biological | DR-4518: Covid-19 Pandemic |
Jobs and pay in Benton County
Benton County had 144,544 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $81,978 a year. Unemployment was 2.4% in 2023; in Decatur itself the ACS puts it at 5.2%.
Public schools in Decatur
3 public schools with 608 students, about 10.3 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| DECATUR NORTHSIDE ELEMENTARY | PK-4 | 277 | 16.3 |
| DECATUR HIGH SCHOOL | 9-12 | 175 | 6.3 |
| DECATUR MIDDLE SCHOOL | 5-8 | 156 | 11.1 |
Towns near Decatur
- Gentry, AR6.4 mi · 3,790 people · home $186,100
- Gravette, AR7.4 mi · 3,547 people · home $216,300
- Centerton, AR8.9 mi · 17,792 people · home $338,500
- Highfill, AR9.1 mi · 1,587 people · home $274,300
- Siloam Springs, AR12.0 mi · 17,287 people · home $221,700
- Bentonville, AR12.6 mi · 54,164 people · home $428,500
- Noel, MO13.4 mi · 2,124 people · home $122,400
- Bella Vista, AR13.4 mi · 30,104 people · home $296,700
Decatur questions
Is Decatur, Arkansas a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Decatur scores better for retirees than 41% of Arkansas towns and quieter than 40%. 13.0% of residents are 65 or older (median age 36.4).
How much does a house cost in Decatur?
The median owner-occupied home in Decatur is valued at $157,600 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $45,179, so homes cost about 3.5 times income. Median rent is $813 a month.
What is the weather like in Decatur?
July highs average 92.5°F and January lows 28.7°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 48.6 inches of precipitation a year and 12.5 inches of snow.
Does Decatur get tornadoes?
33 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Decatur since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF3 on May 26, 2024. The typical Arkansas town has had 24.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)