Decatur Metropolitan Area

Decatur Metropolitan Area
Statistical Area
Decatur Metropolitan Statistical Area is shaded in yellow. Decatur MSA is part of the Huntsville-Decatur CSA (shown in yellow and red).
State	Alabama
Area	3,411 km2 (1,317 sq mi)
Population	150,125 (2008)

The Decatur Metropolitan Area is a moderately urban region of North-Central Alabama. The 2008 estimate population is 150,125, one third of which resides within the boundaries of its core city, Decatur, Alabama.^{[citation needed]}

The metro 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. It is also considered to be part of the North, Northwest, and North-Central regions of Alabama.

This portion of North Alabama makes up nearly one third of the larger Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. The metropolitan area is considered separate by the government, however, most people consider the Decatur Area part of the neighboring Huntsville Metropolitan Area, because of the short distance between them.

Cities and Towns

Principal Cities

• Decatur
• Hartselle
• Moulton

Other Cities, Towns, and Communities

• Burningtree Mountain
• Caddo
• Cotaco
• Courtland
• Danville
• Eva
• Falkville
• Five Points
• Flint
• Florette
• Hatton
• Hillsboro
• Hulaco
• Lacey's Spring
• Landersville
• Mallard Creek
• Morgan City
• Moulton Heights
• Mount Hope
• Neel
• North Courtland
• Oakville
• Pittsburg
• Priceville
• Punkin Center
• Red Bank
• Ryan
• Speake
• Somerville
• Tanner
• Town Creek
• Trinity
• 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 3.5 mile long 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 Alabama 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 Alt 72/AL 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 AL 67 crosses 6th Avenue (US 31) it becomes known as "The Beltline", (the bypass that was constructed to alleviate traffic problems on the swollen 6th Avenue). The highway continues on a north-northwesterly curve and terminates at Alt 72/AL 20 inside Decatur.

See also

• List of Metropolitan areas of Alabama

Coordinates: 34°34′52″N 86°59′0″W / 34.58111°N 86.983333°W / 34.58111; -86.983333