Decatur Real Estate

Decatur

Decatur is the seat of DeKalb County, sitting roughly five miles northeast of downtown Atlanta and just inside the Interstate 285 perimeter. From SRA Signature Realty's office in Tucker, reaching Decatur generally means following Lawrenceville Highway (U.S. 78) or East Ponce de Leon Avenue southwest toward the city, or taking I-285 to North Decatur Road, a short trip across DeKalb County that usually takes 15 to 20 minutes.

A County Seat Named for a Naval Hero

Decatur was incorporated on December 10, 1823, not long after DeKalb County itself was created, and was named for U.S. Navy Commodore Stephen Decatur, a hero of the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812. The town predates Atlanta by more than a decade and grew as DeKalb County's government and commercial center. Its Oakhurst neighborhood has its own separate history: it developed after an 1892 trolley line reached the area, incorporated as its own town in 1910, and wasn't folded into the city of Decatur until 1914 through 1916, after which a fire destroyed Oakhurst's town hall and many of its early records.

A Historic Square and a Mix of Neighborhoods

At the center of the city, Decatur Square is anchored by the old DeKalb County Courthouse, now home to the DeKalb History Center. The surrounding streets mix commercial buildings from the early 1900s with newer mixed-use construction. Decatur's residential neighborhoods vary by area: Oakhurst is known for craftsman bungalows and early 20th-century houses centered on the walkable Oakhurst Village business district, while Winnona Park and the streets around Agnes Scott College feature a mix of historic and mid-century homes. Agnes Scott, a women's liberal arts college founded in the 1880s, anchors the South Candler Street Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.

Parks and Green Space

Legacy Park, a 77-acre property the city acquired in 2017, occupies land that was previously home to the Decatur Orphans' Home and later the Methodist Children's Home before it closed. The park preserves the 1906 Moore Chapel and has added trails, nature programming, and a track and field complex as its master plan continues to take shape. Woodlands Garden, a smaller nature preserve near downtown, and a growing network of PATH Foundation trails give residents additional places to walk and bike around the city.

Getting Around by Car and MARTA

Decatur is one of the more transit-connected cities in the area, served by three MARTA rail stations — Decatur, Avondale, and East Lake — all on the Blue Line, which runs directly into Downtown and Midtown Atlanta. Major roads including East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Clairmont Road, and North Decatur Road connect the city to surrounding DeKalb communities, and Decatur's compact, walkable downtown means many shops and restaurants are reachable on foot from the surrounding neighborhoods.

Dining, Shopping, and Events

Decatur Square and the streets around it are lined with independent restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques, and the Decatur Farmers Market sets up on the lawn of First Baptist Church on Clairemont Avenue every Wednesday afternoon from spring through fall. The city hosts the AJC Decatur Book Festival each year, one of the largest independent book festivals in the country, drawing authors and readers to the square for a weekend of programming. Oakhurst Village, a few blocks south, has its own cluster of restaurants and shops centered on the old Scottish Rite Hospital building, designed by architect Neel Reid in 1917 and now used as a community and cultural space.

• Explore Decatur Square and the DeKalb History Center


• Shop the Decatur Farmers Market on Wednesday afternoons


• Attend the AJC Decatur Book Festival each fall


• Walk or bike the trails at Legacy Park or Woodlands Garden


• Browse the shops and restaurants of Oakhurst Village

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Decatur, Georgia located?

Decatur sits about five miles northeast of downtown Atlanta, just inside I-285, and serves as the seat of DeKalb County.

How far is Decatur from SRA Signature Realty's Tucker office?

It's a short drive of around eight to ten miles, generally by way of Lawrenceville Highway or East Ponce de Leon Avenue, typically 15 to 20 minutes.

Does MARTA serve Decatur?

Yes. Decatur has three MARTA rail stations on the Blue Line — Decatur, Avondale, and East Lake — offering direct access to Downtown and Midtown Atlanta.

What is Oakhurst?

Oakhurst is a Decatur neighborhood that was once its own town before being annexed in the 1910s. It's known for craftsman bungalows and the walkable Oakhurst Village shopping and dining district.

What is Legacy Park?

Legacy Park is a 77-acre city park on land that formerly held the Decatur Orphans' Home and Methodist Children's Home. It preserves the historic 1906 Moore Chapel alongside new trails and recreation space.

What kinds of homes are found in Decatur?

Decatur offers a range of housing, from early 1900s and craftsman-style homes near Oakhurst and the square to mid-century houses near Agnes Scott College and newer construction throughout the city.