Decatur metropolitan area, Alabama

The Decatur, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area is a moderately urban region of North-Central Alabama.  The 2020 Census put the population of the metropolitan area at 152,740, of which one-third resides within the boundaries of its core city, Decatur, Alabama,  It is also considered to be part of the North, Northwest, and North-Central regions of Alabama.

The metropolitan area is the combined area of the City of Decatur and the surrounding areas in suburban, rural, and more developed parts of Morgan and Lawrence Counties.  The Decatur Metropolitan Area is a part of the Huntsville-Decatur CSA, With Huntsville and Madison being other Principal cities in the CSA.

Cities and towns

Principal cities
 Decatur
 Hartselle
 Moulton
 Huntsville (Has its own MSA, but has lands in Morgan County)

Other cities and towns

 Courtland
 Eva
 Falkville
 Hillsboro
 North Courtland
 Priceville
 Somerville
 Town Creek
 Trinity

Unincorporated communities

 Burningtree Mountain
 Caddo
 Cotaco
 Danville
 Five Points
 Flint
 Florette
 Hatton
 Hulaco
 Lacey's Spring
 Landersville
 Mallard Creek
 Morgan City
 Moulton Heights
 Mount Hope
 Neel
 Oakville
 Pittsburg
 Punkin Center
 Red Bank
 Ryan Crossroads
 Speake
 Tanner
 Valhermoso Springs
 Wheeler
 Wren

Transportation

Major highways
 Interstate 65 (Lacon to Decatur (Limestone County)) - enters the area at the southern Morgan County line between Morgan and Cullman Counties, near Lacon.  Bends around a mountain where it passes over US 31.  It continues north towards Hartselle where it enters the city limits for about 3 miles.  Leaving Hartselle, I-65 travels towards Decatur where small portions of the city limits leak over into rural Priceville.  I-65 soon is lifted onto a  bridge (over the Tennessee River), linking Morgan County and Limestone County.  After entering Limestone County, an interchange with I-565, Alt US 72, and Alabama 20 give routes to Huntsville (to the east), and Decatur (to the west).
 U.S. Highway 31 (Lacon to Decatur (Limestone County)) - from the southern Morgan County line between Morgan and Cullman Counties, near Lacon.  The route continues north, passing under I-65, towards Hartselle. After traversing through Hartselle, US 31 briefly enters unincorporated land, but quickly enters the Decatur city limits.  As the highway passes through Decatur, it gives access to places such as: Decatur High School / Ogle Stadium, Cooks Natural Science Museum, and views of the downtown area.  US 31 leaves the metro area after passing over the Captain William J. Hudson "Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridges into Limestone County where the Decatur city limits end. (near the Calhoun Community College)
 U.S. Highway 72 Alternate (Decatur (Limestone County) to Trinity) - enters the metro area in the Limestone County portion of Decatur at the interchange with I-65 and I-565. (I-565 terminates here).  Crosses the Tennessee River on the Captain William J. Hudson "Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridges, combined with US 31 and State Route 20, into urban northern Decatur.  Alt 72 bends west and continues into the industrial portion of Decatur.  The Port of Decatur, and such notable industries as The United Launch Alliance, Solutia, Vulcan Materials, and 3M have operations along this route.  The United Launch Alliance is especially important, since all satellite launch vehicles used by NASA, are produced at this single location.  Alt 72 eventually leaves the metro area as it exits Lawrence County, and enters Colbert County of The Shoals.
 U.S. Highway 231 (Lacey's Spring to southern Morgan County) - enters the metro area from southern Huntsville.  Crossing the Tennessee River, connecting Madison and northeastern Morgan Counties.  US 231 continues south, passing through Morgan City, towards the Gadsden area.
 State Route 20 (Decatur (Limestone County) to western Lawrence County) - enters the metro area in the Limestone County portion of Decatur at the interchange with I-65 and I-565. (I-565 terminates here).  Crosses the Tennessee River on the Captain William J. Hudson "Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridges, combined with US 31 and U.S. Highway 72 Alternate, into urban northern Decatur.  Alabama 20 bends west and continues into the industrial portion of Decatur.  The Port of Decatur, and such notable industries as The United Launch Alliance, Solutia, Vulcan Materials, and 3M have operations along this route.  The United Launch Alliance is especially important, since all satellite launch vehicles used by NASA, are produced at this single location.  Alabama 20 eventually leaves the metro area as it exits Lawrence County, and enters Colbert County of The Shoals.
 State Route 24
 State Route 33
 State Route 36
 State Route 67 (Hulaco to US 72 Alt./SR 20 (Decatur)) - enters the area at Hulaco and continues to Somerville.  Passes by the old Morgan County Courthouse.  Travels through Priceville (past the Racking Horse World Celebration Arena), and enters Decatur at an interchange with I-65.  As SR 67 crosses 6th Avenue (US 31) it becomes known as the Beltline, a bypass that was constructed to alleviate traffic problems on the swollen 6th Avenue.  The highway continues on a north-northwesterly curve and terminates at US 72 Alt./SR 20 inside Decatur.

See also
List of Metropolitan areas of Alabama

References

 
Geography of Morgan County, Alabama
Geography of Lawrence County, Alabama
Geography of Limestone County, Alabama
Metropolitan areas of Alabama
Huntsville-Decatur, AL Combined Statistical Area