Area 3,411 kmĀ² | ||
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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. It is also considered to be part of the North, Northwest, and North-Central regions of Alabama.
Contents
The metropolitan 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. This portion of North Alabama makes up nearly one-third of the larger Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. However, the Decatur Metropolitan Area is considered separate by the government.
Principal Cities
Other Cities, Towns, and Communities
Major Highways
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 State Route 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.
References
Decatur metropolitan area, Alabama Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA