Children Flood Into Decatur, Avondale Estates

The number of children 18 and under in Decatur and Avondale Estates has surged over the past decade, according to a Patch analysis of U.S. Census Bureau figures.

In both towns, the pre-school and school-aged populations grew dramatically faster than overall population growth from 2000 to 2010.

In Decatur, the number of children 4 and under jumped by 35 percent, while Avondale Estates saw the same aged group grow by 26 percent.

Decatur’s school aged population -- kids age 5-18 -- increased by 13 percent over the decade. Avondale Estates’ school-aged population grew 38 percent.

The Decatur school system has already felt the effects of growth. Enrollment was up 11 percent in August compared to the end of the last school year. when parents were told there wasn’t enough room at the school for their kindergarteners.

Here are some other findings from the 2010 Census for Decatur and Avondale Estates:

• Pre-school-age and school-age kids make up 24 percent of Decatur’s overall population. In 2000, that number was 21 percent.
• There are 1,422 pre-schoolers (age 4 and under) in Decatur. That’s a 35 percent increase (or 369 more pre-schoolers) over the past decade.
• There are 371 more school-age kids living in Decatur in 2010. That’s an increase of 13 percent, or 371 children.
• Avondale Estates has 42 more pre-schoolers, bringing the total to 202 in the latest Census.
• The number of school-aged children live in Avondale Estates has grown by 115 over the decade, for a total of 415.
• Both towns saw faster growth in the pre-school and school age groups than in their overall populations. Decatur’s population overall grew by 7 percent over the past ten years, while Avondale Estates grew by 13 percent.