Wise County · North Texas community guide
Living in Decatur
Decatur, the Wise County seat, offers a historic hilltop square, country acreage and quick US 287 access to Fort Worth.
Overview
About Decatur
Wise County was established in 1856 with Taylorsville as its seat; in 1858 the town was renamed Decatur after naval hero Stephen Decatur. The courthouse stands on high ground overlooking the surrounding country.
Decatur is known for the phrase "Eighter from Decatur," and it had 6,538 residents at the 2020 census.
Who Decatur suits
Decatur suits buyers who want acreage and small-town life with a reasonable commute to north Fort Worth and Alliance via US 287.
At a glance
Decatur by the numbers
Figures are sourced below with their dates. Market values change; confirm current numbers with Jamie before making decisions.
Housing
Homes & neighborhoods
Choices include historic homes near the square, newer subdivisions, and acreage and ranch properties throughout Wise County, often on wells and septic.
Homes for sale
Homes for Sale in Decatur
MLS search coming soonSearch Homes in Decatur
Live MLS listings for Decatur (ZIP 76234) are coming to this page soon. In the meantime, Jamie will happily send you current listings that match what you are looking for, including new and coming-soon homes.
Schools
Decatur school districts
| District | TEA 2026 | TEA 2025 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur ISD | C (76) | C (76) | Serves Decatur. |
| Paradise ISD | B (83) | B (80) | Rural district southwest of Decatur. |
| Boyd ISD | C (77) | C (75) | Serves the Boyd area to the south. |
High school campus ratings
- Decatur High School: C (75) in 2026
Ratings are Texas Education Agency A–F accountability ratings (overall score in parentheses), released August 2026. See campus details on TXschools.gov. School boundaries change and don't follow city limits; confirm the assigned schools for any address with the district.
Market notes · as of September 2026
Decatur home prices
Zillow's Home Value Index puts the typical Decatur home at $434,705 as of September 2026, up 1.4% from a year earlier. The index is a smoothed, seasonally adjusted measure of mid-tier single-family homes and condos, not a sale price for any one house.
For comparison, Zillow's Fort Worth index was $292,949 in the same month.
More local numbers (September 2026)
- Realtor.com, ZIP 76234 (Decatur): median list price $578,000, 133 active listings, 71 median days on market, 29.7% of listings with a price cut. Source: Realtor.com Research ZIP inventory.
- GFWAR/TRERC MLS, ZIP 76234 (Decatur): 13 closed sales, median sold price $314,000, 68 days on market, 6.3 months of inventory. Source: Greater Fort Worth REALTORS® ZIP Detail (Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center).
List prices (Realtor.com) and sold prices (MLS) measure different things and aren't directly comparable. Small markets can swing sharply month to month.
Values vary widely by street, lot size, age and condition, especially where acreage, waterfront or new construction is involved. Before you buy or list, ask Jamie for a free comparative market analysis built from current active, pending and sold listings in the NTREIS MLS.
Property taxes
Decatur property tax rates
2025 adopted rates per $100 of taxable value, from the Texas Comptroller:
| Taxing unit | Rate per $100 |
|---|---|
| Wise County | $0.2175 |
| City of Decatur | $0.5657 |
| Decatur ISD | $0.8968 |
| Combined (before special districts) | $1.6800 |
Example only: on a home appraised at the typical Decatur value of $434,705, the combined rate works out to about $7,303 a year before exemptions. A homestead exemption lowers the school-tax portion (school districts must exempt $140,000 of a homestead's value, with an additional $60,000 for owners 65 or older or disabled, per the Texas Comptroller). Your actual bill depends on the appraised value, exemptions and any special districts.
Special districts (hospital, college, emergency services, MUD/PID and others) are not included and vary by property. Appraisal district: Wise County. This is general information, not tax advice.
Getting around
Commute & roads
US 81/287 runs through Decatur toward Fort Worth and Wichita Falls, and US 380 heads east to Denton and west to Bridgeport.
- Downtown Fort Worth: about 47 minutes / 41 miles
- Graford: about 82 minutes
Drive times are routing estimates from OSRM without traffic; rush hour and highway construction can add significant time.
Outdoors
Lakes & recreation
The LBJ National Grasslands to the north offer trails, horseback riding, camping and small lakes, and Lake Bridgeport is to the west.
Things to do
Notable attractions near Decatur
- Historic districtHistoric Wise County Courthouse & square
Hilltop courthouse surrounded by shops and dining.
- National grasslandLBJ National Grasslands
U.S. Forest Service grasslands with trails, camping and horseback riding.
Everyday life
Shopping, dining & amenities
The courthouse square has restaurants and shops, with everyday retail and healthcare along US 287.
Due diligence
Utilities, internet & flood checks
- Electricity: parts of this area are open to retail electric choice (compare plans at PowerToChoose.org), while many rural and some city areas are served by an electric cooperative or municipal utility with no choice. The provider depends on the exact address.
- Water & sewer: inside city limits, service usually comes from the city or a water supply corporation. Outside city limits, homes often rely on a water supply corporation or a private well plus an on-site septic system (OSSF). Ask for well and septic inspections before closing.
- Internet: options range from fiber and cable in town to fixed wireless and satellite in the country. Check any address on the FCC National Broadband Map.
- Flood risk: look up the property on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and ask your insurance agent about flood coverage, even outside a mapped flood zone.
- Groundwater: Wise County is in the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District, which has well registration and permitting rules.
Map
Decatur on the map
Use the layer button (top right of the map) to show TEA school district boundaries or FEMA flood hazard zones around Decatur.
Map of Decatur loads here…
School district and flood layers are for general reference only. Verify districts with the TEA School District Locator or the district, and flood zones with the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and a survey or elevation certificate. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Keep reading
More on Decatur
Local FAQ
Decatur questions
Is Decatur a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. Decatur suits buyers who want acreage and small-town life with a reasonable commute to north Fort Worth and Alliance via US 287. Jamie is happy to tour Decatur with you and talk through schools, commute, taxes and lifestyle.
How far is Decatur from Fort Worth?
Decatur is about 47 minutes (41 miles) by car to downtown Fort Worth without traffic, based on OSRM routing estimates.
What school districts serve Decatur?
Decatur ISD (C, 76 in 2026); Paradise ISD (B, 83 in 2026); Boyd ISD (C, 77 in 2026). Ratings are TEA 2026 A–F accountability ratings. District boundaries do not follow city limits, so always confirm the school district for a specific address.
What is the property tax rate in Decatur?
Using 2025 adopted rates from the Texas Comptroller, the combined county, city and school-district rate is about $1.6800 per $100 of taxable value (Wise County$0.2175; City of Decatur$0.5657; Decatur ISD$0.8968). Special districts such as hospital, college, emergency services or MUD/PID districts can add to this. Check the exact property with its appraisal district.
What county and appraisal district is Decatur in?
Decatur is in Wise County. Property values are set by the appraisal district for the county where the property sits.
What is the typical home value in Decatur?
Zillow's Home Value Index for Decatur was $434,705 as of September 2026 (+1.4% year over year). For a specific home, ask Jamie for a comparative market analysis.
How does ag exemption work on Wise County land?
"Ag exemption" usually means open-space agricultural valuation set by the Wise County appraisal district. Each district publishes its own use and acreage guidelines. If land changes to a non-agricultural use, rollback taxes can be due for the previous three years (Texas Comptroller). Ask the CAD before you buy.
Does Decatur flood, and how do I check a property?
Flood risk is property-specific, often tied to creeks, rivers and low areas. Look up the address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, ask for the seller's disclosure and any elevation certificate, and get a flood-insurance quote even outside a mapped flood zone.
How long is the drive from Decatur to Fort Worth?
About 47 minutes (41 miles) to downtown Fort Worth without traffic (OSRM estimate), mostly via US 81/287. Alliance is closer, off US 287 and SH 114.
How do I file a homestead exemption in Decatur?
File with the Wise County appraisal district once the home is your principal residence; there is no fee. School districts must exempt $140,000 of a homestead's value, plus an additional $60,000 for owners 65 or older or disabled (Texas Comptroller). The general deadline is before May 1. Find the district's contact information in the Comptroller's county directory.
What internet service is available?
It varies by address, from fiber and cable in town to fixed wireless and satellite in rural areas. Enter the exact address on the FCC National Broadband Map and ask the seller what they use before you buy.
Sources
Where these facts come from
- Zillow Research, ZHVI by city (as of September 2026)
- Realtor.com Research ZIP inventory (September 2026)
- Greater Fort Worth REALTORS® ZIP Detail (Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center) (September 2026)
- Texas Education Agency, 2026 Statewide Multi-Year Ratings and TXschools.gov
- Texas Comptroller, 2025 county, city and school district tax rates · Comptroller exemptions
- Appraisal district contacts (Comptroller county directory): Wise County
- Wikipedia: Decatur (history; 2020 U.S. Census population)
- OSRM routing (drive-time estimates)
- Official site: Decatur
This content is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules, rates and deadlines change. Confirm details with the appropriate agency, attorney, CPA or lender.
Explore nearby
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