Signals
Decatur
Cullman
Growth
69 · Top 21%
vs68 · Top 22%
Climate
77 · Top 12%
vs78 · Top 7%
Physical resilience
48 · Bottom 38%
vs50 · Bottom 42%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs98 · Top 36%
Access
88 · Top 29%
vs78 · Top 46%
Economic stability
48 · Bottom 46%
vs40 · Bottom 34%
Measured values
| Metric | Decatur | Cullman | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 157,747 | 90,566 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $68,116 | $62,656 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $35,213 | $33,019 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 124/sq mi | 123/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $202,500 | $199,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $847 | $908 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 74.6% | 76.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.5% | 19.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 13.4% | 15.3% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 374 | 239 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.4 | 2.6 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 67.0% | 30.6% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 90°F | 88°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 32°F | 31°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 49.5" | 58.7" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 21 mi | 35 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 28.0 min | 29.7 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 40.5 | 40.8 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Decatur
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Cullman
Elevated or high exposure: tornado, earthquake, heat wave.
Full profiles: Decatur, AL Metro Area · Cullman, AL Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology