Guides β€Ί Illinois β€Ί Decatur, Illinois
City guide

Decatur, Illinois

Decatur is the largest city in Macon County, Illinois, United States, and its county seat. The city was founded in 1829 and is situated along the Sangamon River and Lake Decatur in Central Illinois.

Type CityPopulation 70,522

Why go

  • City in Macon County, Illinois, United States.
  • Served by Vandalia Municipal Airport (VLA).

History

Decatur is the largest city in Macon County, Illinois, United States, and its county seat. The city was founded in 1829 and is situated along the Sangamon River and Lake Decatur in Central Illinois. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 70,522. It is the 17th-most populous city in Illinois and the "fastest shrinking city" in Illinois. Decatur has an economy based on industrial and agricultural commodity processing and production. The city is home to Millikin University and Richland Community College.

Airports

Decatur Airport (DEC) 4 mi to the centre
910 Airport Road, Decatur, IL 62521 β€” Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron β€” plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 1 airline (Air Choice One) Β· direct flights to 2 destinations incl. Chicago, St. Louis (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths β€” 1 airline, 2 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data β€” they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Vandalia Municipal Airport (VLA) 60 mi to the centre
Vandalia, IL, US β€” Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board β€” bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Corman Acres Airport 10 mi to the centre
Lake City, IL, US
Outdoor
Colonel Smith Memorial Airport 12 mi to the centre
Warrensburg, IL, US
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping β†’
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map Β© OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather β€” check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Vandalia Municipal Airport (VLA); 21 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: DEC has direct flights to 2 destinations on 1 airline (incl. Chicago, St. Louis).

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Decatur, Illinois. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach