Decatur, IL Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Decatur, IL: What You Need to Know

Decatur is located along the Sangamon River and Lake Decatur in central Illinois. Abraham Lincoln delivered his first-ever political speech in the city. It’s also where the Republican Party endorsed him as a presidential candidate.

Job Opportunities

Decatur, the seat of Macon County, is strategically located about halfway between Springfield and Champaign. The region has attracted diverse companies and a network of ancillary businesses. Among Decatur’s top employers are Archer Daniels Midland (agribusiness), Caterpillar (construction and mining equipment), Decatur Memorial Hospital, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, and Decatur Public Schools.

Local History

Decatur was founded in 1829, and named in honor of the naval officer Stephen Decatur, a hero of the War of 1812. In 1830, Abraham Lincoln’s family moved to Decatur from Indiana. That year, he made his first political speech, advocating for the improvement of waterways, especially the Sangamon River. Although Lincoln lived in Decatur for only a year, he achieved another milestone in the city in May 1860. During the Illinois Republican State Convention, the party formally endorsed Lincoln’s candidacy for president.

What is the Cost of Living in Decatur, IL?

You can live well for less in a city like Decatur (population: 70,746), whose cost of living rate and food costs are 6.4% and 1.6% lower than the national average, respectively. Likewise, housing cost is 25.8% lower than the national average, with median gross rent at $683. The Prairie State collects a flat income tax of 4.95% and a sales tax ranging from 6.25% to 11%.

What are the Best Neighborhoods in Decatur, IL?

Locals love their hometown’s diversity, its scenic lake views, and the revitalized downtown, which recently benefited from a $14 million public development project. Families looking for top-notch public schools are better off in the suburbs, especially Forsyth, just outside Decatur, and Maroa. They are both small and family-friendly communities.

Weather and Climate

While Illinois isn’t part of Tornado Alley, it has experienced its fair share of twisters. On April 18-19, 1996, two tornadoes hit Decatur, causing the destruction of hundreds of homes and trees and injuring dozens of people. Total property damage was estimated at about $10.5 million. Barring any tornadoes, you can expect about 40 inches of rain annually versus the national average of 38 inches, and about 13 inches of snow per year compared with the U.S. average of 28 inches. Decatur typically gets 199 sunny days a year, lower than the national average of 205 sunny days.