What are the schools like in Decatur, MS?

Decatur is served primarily by NEWTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.4:1.

What is the median household income in Decatur?

The median household income in Decatur, MS is $44,321 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 10.8%.

What is the weather like in Decatur, MS?

Decatur has an average high temperature of 58.1°F in January and 93.2°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 59.8 inches and annual snowfall averages 0.4 inches.

Decatur, MS Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Decatur, MS affordable or expensive?

Decatur's cost of living index is 88, where 100 represents the national average. This means Decatur is 12% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $104,200 and the median rent is $723 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Decatur, MS?

Crime rate data for Decatur is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is Decatur, MS a Good Place to Live?

Decatur is a small town of 2,325 in Mississippi, with a median household income of $44,321 and a 10.8% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 88 (US average = 100), which is 12% below the national average.

Strengths: Decatur stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-).

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Decatur is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Decatur city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 88.4

Decatur's overall cost of living index is 88.4, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Decatur costs roughly 12% less than the average American city.

Metric	Decatur, MS	National Avg
Median Home Value	$104,200	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$723	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	41.6%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$44,321	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for Decatur is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

Decatur is served primarily by NEWTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.4:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Decatur, MS	National Avg
School District	NEWTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	13.4:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	15.9%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	79.2%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Decatur sees average highs of 58.1°F in January and 93.2°F in July, with 59.8 inches of annual precipitation and 0.4 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Decatur, MS
Average High — January	58.1°F
Average High — July	93.2°F
Annual Precipitation	59.8"
Annual Snowfall	0.4"

Demographics

Metric	Decatur, MS	National Avg
Population	2,325	—
Median Age	21.9	38.9
Unemployment Rate	10.8%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	26.8 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	52.5%	59.3%
Black or African American	43.4%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.5%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	21.2%	22.2%
65 and over	10.2%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Newton, MS 7 mi Conehatta, MS 9 mi Union, MS 9 mi Hickory, MS 10 mi Chunky, MS 13 mi

ZIP Codes in Decatur

Decatur, MS is covered by 1 ZIP code:

39327

Decatur vs Other Cities

Decatur, MS vs Newton, MS Decatur, MS vs Conehatta, MS Decatur, MS vs Union, MS Decatur, MS vs Hickory, MS Decatur, MS vs Chunky, MS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Decatur, MS affordable or expensive?

Decatur's cost of living index is 88, where 100 is the national average. That makes Decatur roughly 12% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $104,200 and median rent is $723/month.

What is the crime rate in Decatur, MS?

Crime data for Decatur is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in Decatur?

Public schools in Decatur are operated by NEWTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.4:1. 15.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Decatur, MS a good place to live?

Decatur, MS has a population of 2,325, a median household income of $44,321, and an unemployment rate of 10.8%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Decatur?

Decatur averages 58.1°F in January and 93.2°F in July. Annual rainfall is 59.8 inches with about 0.4 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Decatur?

Decatur, MS is covered by 1 ZIP code: 39327.

What is the population of Decatur?

The population of Decatur, Mississippi is 2,325 with a median age of 21.9. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Decatur?

Key numbers for living in Decatur: cost of living index 88 (100 = US average), median home $104,200, median household income $44,321, schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Decatur side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.