Decatur’s population last year was 19,886 as it continues closing in on the all-time high of 21,943 in 1970. During the so-called “white-flight” era, that number declined by 22 percent to 17,336 in 1990.
These and a number of other statistics were posted on charts during a public input session last week for Decatur’s comprehensive plan update. One of the primary topics for that session included ideas for getting this growing population out of their cars.
“From a planning standpoint,” said City Planner Angela Threadgill, “We have to change [car-dependent] behavior by creating more bike lanes and pathways. That also means we need better connectivity between the neighborhoods and downtown, and the neighborhoods and MARTA.”
Decatur has 8,590 residents who commute to work outside the city, and 70 percent of those who take a car to work driving alone. Only 6 percent use public transportation getting to work even though Decatur has three MARTA stations, more than any other city except Atlanta.
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