How old are the homes in Decatur, TN?

53.2% (±13.6 points) of the homes in Decatur, TN were built before 1980 (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

5.1% were built before 1940.

6.2% were built in 2010 or later.

Figures last updated on .

Built before 1980
53.2% (±13.6 points)
Built before 1940
5.1%
Built 2010 or later
6.2%

When the homes in Decatur were built

Housing units by year structure built, 2020–2024
Year builtDecaturMeigs CountyTennesseeUnited States
2020 or later0.8% (±1.2 points)3.0%3.0%2.0%
2010 to 20195.4% (±4.3 points)12.2%12.0%9.4%
2000 to 20099.6% (±4.7 points)20.3%15.8%13.6%
1990 to 199921.0% (±9.6 points)23.5%15.4%12.4%
1980 to 198910.0% (±7.8 points)16.7%13.0%12.9%
1970 to 197927.0% (±8.3 points)9.7%14.0%14.2%
1960 to 196912.2% (±5.7 points)6.8%9.2%9.9%
1950 to 19598.9% (±6.0 points)2.3%8.0%9.5%
1940 to 19490.0% (±5.6 points)2.2%3.9%4.4%
1939 or earlier5.1% (±3.9 points)3.3%5.6%11.7%

In Decatur, the share of homes built before 1980 is higher than in Meigs County (24.3%).

It is not measurably different from Tennessee (40.7%).

It is not measurably different from the national figure (49.7%).

Statewide, it ranks 188 of 405.

Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.

Why the age of a home matters: lead-based paint

Federal law treats housing built before 1978 as likely to contain lead-based paint.

Before a lease or sale of most pre-1978 housing, the landlord or seller must disclose any known lead-based paint and hazards and give the tenant or buyer the EPA pamphlet (42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 40 CFR part 745, subpart F; 24 CFR part 35, subpart A).

A contractor paid to renovate, repair or paint a pre-1978 home must be a certified firm, use a certified renovator and follow lead-safe work practices under the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (40 CFR part 745, subpart E) whenever the job disturbs more than 6 square feet of painted surface in a room or more than 20 square feet outside; window replacement and demolition always count (40 CFR 745.83).

Certification comes from EPA, or from the state where EPA has authorized the state to run the program.

The Census Bureau groups construction by decade, so the share built before 1978 lies between the share built before 1970 (26.2%) and the share built before 1980 (53.2%).

Homes built before 1980 in places near Decatur

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Decatur
PlaceDistanceHomes built before 1980Compared with this place
Decatur—53.2% (±13.6 points)—
Spring City12 mi65.1% (±15.0 points)Not measurably different
Athens12 mi59.4% (±7.5 points)Not measurably different
Dayton12 mi42.9% (±10.6 points)Not measurably different
Niota14 mi60.9% (±17.7 points)Not measurably different
Calhoun16 mi81.5% (±23.3 points)Higher
Graysville17 mi42.6% (±11.3 points)Not measurably different
Charleston17 mi44.7% (±12.2 points)Not measurably different
Englewood19 mi66.9% (±12.5 points)Not measurably different

Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Calhoun, TN (81.5%).

Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.

Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.

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Questions about Decatur

How old are most homes in Decatur?

53.2% of homes in Decatur, TN were built before 1980 (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

Do homes in Decatur need a lead paint disclosure?

A home built before 1978 does, before it is rented or sold, unless an exemption applies (42 U.S.C. § 4852d); between 26.2% and 53.2% of homes in Decatur were built before then.

Does a contractor need lead certification to work on older homes in Decatur?

Yes, when the job disturbs more than 6 square feet of paint in a room or 20 square feet outside, or replaces a window: the firm must be certified and a certified renovator must direct the work under the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (40 CFR part 745, subpart E).

Sources

To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) for Decatur town, Tennessee (place:19880, in state:47).

Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).

The API needs a free key.

Request a Census API key.

DP04_0017PE, DP04_0017PM, DP04_0018PE, DP04_0018PM, DP04_0019PE, DP04_0019PM, DP04_0020PE, DP04_0020PM, DP04_0021PE, DP04_0021PM, DP04_0022PE, DP04_0022PM, DP04_0023PE, DP04_0023PM, DP04_0024PE, DP04_0024PM, DP04_0025PE, DP04_0025PM, DP04_0026PE, DP04_0026PM

This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.

Figures last updated on .

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