Decatur Metropolitan Area
Encyclopedia
The Decatur Metropolitan Area is a moderately urban region of North-Central
North Alabama
North Alabama is a region of the U.S. state of Alabama, generally considered to include 12 counties: Cherokee, Colbert, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, and Winston, with a combined population of 958,247, or 20.84% of the state's population as...

 Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...

. The 2008 estimate population is 150,125, one third of which resides within the boundaries of its core city, Decatur, Alabama
Decatur, Alabama
Decatur is a city in Limestone and Morgan Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County...

.

The metro area is the combined area of the City of Decatur
Decatur, Alabama
Decatur is a city in Limestone and Morgan Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County...

 and the surrounding areas in suburban, rural, and more developed parts of Morgan
Morgan County, Alabama
Morgan County is the most populous county in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, and the second most populous county in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area in the U.S. State of Alabama. It was created by the Alabama Territorial legislature on February 6, 1818 from land acquired from the...

 and Lawrence Counties
Lawrence County, Alabama
Lawrence County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. It was named after James Lawrence, a captain in the United States Navy from New Jersey. As of the 2010 census, the population was...

. It is also considered to be part of the North
North Alabama
North Alabama is a region of the U.S. state of Alabama, generally considered to include 12 counties: Cherokee, Colbert, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, and Winston, with a combined population of 958,247, or 20.84% of the state's population as...

, Northwest
Northwest Alabama
Northwest Alabama is a subdivision of the North Alabama region, and includes the cities of Decatur, Florence, Russellvile, and their surrounding areas in the state of Alabama. The county inclusion varies, usually only consisting of the Decatur Metropolitan Area and Florence-Muscle Shoals...

, and North-Central regions of Alabama.

This portion of North Alabama makes up nearly one third of the larger Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area
Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area
The Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area is the most populated sub-region of North Alabama, and is the second fastest growing region in the State of Alabama, with 510,088 living within the CSA...

. The metropolitan area is considered separate by the government, however, most people consider the Decatur Area part of the neighboring Huntsville Metropolitan Area
Huntsville, Alabama
Huntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....

, because of the short distance between them.

Principal Cities

  • Decatur
    Decatur, Alabama
    Decatur is a city in Limestone and Morgan Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County...

  • Hartselle
    Hartselle, Alabama
    Hartselle is the second largest city in Morgan County, Alabama, United States, about south of Decatur, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, and the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2006 census estimates, the population of the city is 13,479. Hartselle was...

  • Moulton
    Moulton, Alabama
    Moulton is a city in Lawrence County, Alabama, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 3,260. The city is the county seat of Lawrence County.-Geography:Moulton is located at ...


Other Cities, Towns, and Communities

  • Burningtree Mountain
  • Caddo
    Caddo, Alabama
    Caddo is an unincorporated community along Alabama State Highway 24 between Decatur and Moulton in Lawrence County, Alabama, United States. Caddo is a feeder community or suburb of Decatur and is part of both the Decatur Metropolitan Area and the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area...

  • Cotaco
  • Courtland
    Courtland, Alabama
    Courtland is a town in Lawrence County, Alabama, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 769.-Geography:...

  • Danville
    Danville, Alabama
    Danville is an unincorporated community in Morgan County, Alabama, United States, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the larger Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. A noteworthy Danville native was world famous gold medalist at the 1936 Summer Olympics, Jesse Owens....

  • Eva
    Eva, Alabama
    Eva is a town in Morgan County, Alabama, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 491.- Geography :...

  • Falkville
    Falkville, Alabama
    Falkville is a town in Morgan County, Alabama, in the United States, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 1,202.-Geography:...

  • Five Points
  • Flint
  • Florette
  • Hatton
  • Hillsboro
    Hillsboro, Alabama
    Hillsboro is a town in Lawrence County, Alabama, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 608.-Geography:...

  • Hulaco
    Hulaco, Alabama
    Hulaco is an unincorporated community located in extreme southeastern Morgan County, Alabama and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area....

  • Lacey's Spring
    Lacey's Spring, Alabama
    Lacey's Spring is an unincorporated community in northeastern Morgan County, Alabama, United States at the base of Brindley Mountain. It is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area....

  • Landersville
  • Mallard Creek
  • Morgan City
    Morgan City, Alabama
    Morgan City is an unincorporated community located in Morgan County, Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area, as well as the Decatur Metropolitan Area. It's a small city....

  • Moulton Heights
    Moulton Heights, Alabama
    Moulton Heights is an unincorporated suburb of Decatur in Morgan County, Alabama, United States, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area, as well as the Decatur Metropolitan Area...

  • Mount Hope
  • Neel
  • North Courtland
    North Courtland, Alabama
    North Courtland is a town in Lawrence County, Alabama, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 799.-Geography:...

  • Oakville
    Oakville, Alabama
    Oakville is a small community located in the southeast corner of Lawrence County, Alabama. The community is unincorporated. The community has two parks, one dedicated to 20th-century African-American athlete Jesse Owens and the other to Middle Woodland period and Cherokee Native Americans.The...

  • Pittsburg
    Pittsburg, Alabama
    Pittsburg, Alabama is a community in Lawrence County, Alabama. It has a latitude of 34.52528 and a longitude of -87.20583. Its elevation is . The community was named after the industrial heritage of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania....

  • Priceville
    Priceville, Alabama
    Priceville is the third largest municipality in Morgan County, Alabama, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2006 census estimate, the population of the town is 2,380....

  • Punkin Center
  • Red Bank
  • Ryan
  • Speake
  • Somerville
    Somerville, Alabama
    Somerville is a town in Morgan County, Alabama. It is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 347. Somerville was the county seat of Morgan County from 1818 to 1891, when the seat...

  • Tanner
    Tanner, Alabama
    Tanner is a small town in central southern Limestone County, Alabama, United States, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. It lies along the Tennessee River, next to the city of Athens....

  • Town Creek
    Town Creek, Alabama
    Town Creek is a town in Lawrence County, Alabama, United States, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area...

  • Trinity
    Trinity, Alabama
    Trinity is a town in Morgan County, Alabama, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 1,841.-Geography:...

  • Valhermoso Springs
  • Wheeler
  • Wren

Major Highways

  • Interstate 65
    Interstate 65
    Interstate 65 is a major Interstate Highway in the United States. The southern terminus is located at an intersection with Interstate 10 in Mobile, Alabama, and its northern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 90 , U.S. Route 12, and U.S...

    (Lacon
    Lacon, Alabama
    Lacon was once a thriving little town in extreme southern Morgan County, Alabama, United States. Built at the Northern foot of Burleson Mountain, alongside the railroad track there, a spring and good clay enabled a substantial brickyard. The Lacon brickyard made bricks with a distinctive mark,...

     to Decatur
    Decatur, Alabama
    Decatur is a city in Limestone and Morgan Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County...

     (Limestone County
    Limestone County, Alabama
    Limestone County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville Metropolitan Area.It is also included in the merged Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. Its name comes from Limestone Creek, a local stream. In 2000, the population was 65,676. As of 2010 the county's...

    ))
    - enters the area at the southern Morgan County
    Morgan County, Alabama
    Morgan County is the most populous county in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, and the second most populous county in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area in the U.S. State of Alabama. It was created by the Alabama Territorial legislature on February 6, 1818 from land acquired from the...

     line between Morgan
    Morgan County, Alabama
    Morgan County is the most populous county in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, and the second most populous county in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area in the U.S. State of Alabama. It was created by the Alabama Territorial legislature on February 6, 1818 from land acquired from the...

     and Cullman Counties
    Cullman County, Alabama
    Cullman County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Colonel John G. Cullmann. As of 2010, the population was 80,406. Its county seat is the town of the same name, Cullman, Alabama. It is a "moist" county in terms of availablity of alcoholic beverages, which means...

    , near Lacon. Bends around a mountain where it passes over US 31. It continues north towards Hartselle where it enters the city limits for about 3 miles. Leaving Hartselle, I-65 travels towards Decatur where small portions of the city limits leak over into rural Priceville
    Priceville, Alabama
    Priceville is the third largest municipality in Morgan County, Alabama, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2006 census estimate, the population of the town is 2,380....

    . I-65 soon is lifted onto a 3.5 mile long bridge (over the Tennessee River
    Tennessee River
    The Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. It is approximately 652 miles long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley. The river was once popularly known as the Cherokee River, among other names...

    ), linking Morgan County and Limestone County. After entering Limestone County, an interchange with I-565, Alt US 72, and Alabama 20
    State Route 20 (Alabama)
    State Route 20 ' runs from the Tennessee state line northwest of Florence, Alabama, east to I-65 east of Decatur in the northwestern Alabama...

     give routes to Huntsville
    Huntsville, Alabama
    Huntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....

     (to the east), and Decatur (to the west).

  • U.S. Highway 31 (Lacon
    Lacon, Alabama
    Lacon was once a thriving little town in extreme southern Morgan County, Alabama, United States. Built at the Northern foot of Burleson Mountain, alongside the railroad track there, a spring and good clay enabled a substantial brickyard. The Lacon brickyard made bricks with a distinctive mark,...

     to Decatur
    Decatur, Alabama
    Decatur is a city in Limestone and Morgan Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County...

     (Limestone County
    Limestone County, Alabama
    Limestone County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville Metropolitan Area.It is also included in the merged Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. Its name comes from Limestone Creek, a local stream. In 2000, the population was 65,676. As of 2010 the county's...

    ))
    - from the southern Morgan County
    Morgan County, Alabama
    Morgan County is the most populous county in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, and the second most populous county in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area in the U.S. State of Alabama. It was created by the Alabama Territorial legislature on February 6, 1818 from land acquired from the...

     line between Morgan
    Morgan County, Alabama
    Morgan County is the most populous county in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, and the second most populous county in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area in the U.S. State of Alabama. It was created by the Alabama Territorial legislature on February 6, 1818 from land acquired from the...

     and Cullman Counties
    Cullman County, Alabama
    Cullman County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of Colonel John G. Cullmann. As of 2010, the population was 80,406. Its county seat is the town of the same name, Cullman, Alabama. It is a "moist" county in terms of availablity of alcoholic beverages, which means...

    , near Lacon. The route continues north, passing under I-65, towards Hartselle. After traversing through Hartselle, US 31 briefly enters unincorporated land, but quickly enters the Decatur city limits. As the highway passes through Decatur, it gives access to places such as: Decatur High School
    Decatur High School (Alabama)
    Decatur High School is a public high school in Decatur, Alabama, United States. It is one of two high schools in the Decatur City School District. Decatur High offers technical, academic, and International Baccalaureate programs, as well as dual enrollment with the John C...

     / Ogle Stadium
    Ogle Stadium
    Ogle Stadium is an 9,000-seat stadium in Decatur, Alabama, located on the southern end of Decatur High School's campus, and is owned by the Decatur City Schools....

    , Cooks Natural Science Museum, and views of the downtown area. US 31 leaves the metro area after passing over the Captain William J. Hudson "Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridges into Limestone County
    Limestone County, Alabama
    Limestone County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville Metropolitan Area.It is also included in the merged Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. Its name comes from Limestone Creek, a local stream. In 2000, the population was 65,676. As of 2010 the county's...

     where the Decatur city limits end. (near the Calhoun Community College
    Calhoun Community College
    Calhoun Community College is a two-year institution of higher learning, located in Decatur, Alabama, United States.The largest of the 27 two-year institutions comprising the Alabama Community College System, Calhoun is an open-admission, coeducational, comprehensive community college dedicated to...

    )


  • U.S. Highway 72 Alternate (Decatur
    Decatur, Alabama
    Decatur is a city in Limestone and Morgan Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County...

     (Limestone County
    Limestone County, Alabama
    Limestone County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville Metropolitan Area.It is also included in the merged Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. Its name comes from Limestone Creek, a local stream. In 2000, the population was 65,676. As of 2010 the county's...

    ) to Trinity
    Trinity, Alabama
    Trinity is a town in Morgan County, Alabama, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 1,841.-Geography:...

    )
    - enters the metro area in the Limestone County
    Limestone County, Alabama
    Limestone County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville Metropolitan Area.It is also included in the merged Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. Its name comes from Limestone Creek, a local stream. In 2000, the population was 65,676. As of 2010 the county's...

     portion of Decatur at the interchange with I-65 and I-565. (I-565 terminates here). Crosses the Tennessee River
    Tennessee River
    The Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. It is approximately 652 miles long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley. The river was once popularly known as the Cherokee River, among other names...

     on the Captain William J. Hudson "Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridges, combined with US 31 and Alabama 20
    State Route 20 (Alabama)
    State Route 20 ' runs from the Tennessee state line northwest of Florence, Alabama, east to I-65 east of Decatur in the northwestern Alabama...

    , into urban northern Decatur. Alt 72 bends west and continues into the industrial portion of Decatur. The Port of Decatur
    Port of Decatur
    The Port of Decatur is a transshipment port on the Tennessee River, in the city of Decatur, Alabama, United States of America. The port was founded in 1971.- Port facilities :...

    , and such notable industries as The United Launch Alliance
    United Launch Alliance
    United Launch Alliance is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing. ULA was formed in December 2006 by combining the teams at these companies which provide spacecraft launch services to the government of the United States. U.S...

    , Solutia, Vulcan Materials, and 3M
    3M
    3M Company , formerly known as the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation based in Maplewood, Minnesota, United States....

     have operations along this route. The United Launch Alliance is especially important, since all satellite launch vehicles used by NASA
    NASA
    The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...

    , are produced at this single location. Alt 72 eventually leaves the metro area as it exits Lawrence County
    Lawrence County, Alabama
    Lawrence County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. It was named after James Lawrence, a captain in the United States Navy from New Jersey. As of the 2010 census, the population was...

    , and enters Colbert County
    Colbert County, Alabama
    Colbert County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of brothers George and Levi Colbert, Chickasaw Indian chiefs. George Colbert operated a ferry across the Tennessee River in 1790 near present day Cherokee....

     of The Shoals
    The Shoals
    The Shoals is a metropolitan area in northwestern Alabama, officially known as the Florence-Muscle Shoals Metropolitan Area, including the cities of Florence, Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, and Sheffield, and the counties of Lauderdale and Colbert...

    .

  • U.S. Highway 231 (Lacey's Spring
    Lacey's Spring, Alabama
    Lacey's Spring is an unincorporated community in northeastern Morgan County, Alabama, United States at the base of Brindley Mountain. It is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area....

     to southern Morgan County
    Morgan County, Alabama
    Morgan County is the most populous county in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, and the second most populous county in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area in the U.S. State of Alabama. It was created by the Alabama Territorial legislature on February 6, 1818 from land acquired from the...

    )
    - enters the metro area from southern Huntsville
    Huntsville, Alabama
    Huntsville is a city located primarily in Madison County in the central part of the far northern region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Huntsville is the county seat of Madison County. The city extends west into neighboring Limestone County. Huntsville's population was 180,105 as of the 2010 Census....

    . Crossing the Tennessee River
    Tennessee River
    The Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. It is approximately 652 miles long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley. The river was once popularly known as the Cherokee River, among other names...

    , connecting Madison
    Madison County, Alabama
    Madison County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is a major part of the Huntsville Metropolitan Area.It is also included in the merged Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. The county is named in honor of James Madison, fourth President of the United States of America, and the...

     and northeastern Morgan Counties
    Morgan County, Alabama
    Morgan County is the most populous county in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, and the second most populous county in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area in the U.S. State of Alabama. It was created by the Alabama Territorial legislature on February 6, 1818 from land acquired from the...

    . US 231 continues south, passing through Morgan City
    Morgan City, Alabama
    Morgan City is an unincorporated community located in Morgan County, Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area, as well as the Decatur Metropolitan Area. It's a small city....

    , towards the Gadsden area
    Gadsden, Alabama
    The city of Gadsden is the county seat of Etowah County in the U.S. state of Alabama, and it is located about 65 miles northeast of Birmingham, Alabama. It is the primary city of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 103,459. Gadsden is closely associated with the...

    .

  • State Route 20
    State Route 20 (Alabama)
    State Route 20 ' runs from the Tennessee state line northwest of Florence, Alabama, east to I-65 east of Decatur in the northwestern Alabama...

    (Decatur
    Decatur, Alabama
    Decatur is a city in Limestone and Morgan Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County...

     (Limestone County
    Limestone County, Alabama
    Limestone County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville Metropolitan Area.It is also included in the merged Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. Its name comes from Limestone Creek, a local stream. In 2000, the population was 65,676. As of 2010 the county's...

    ) to western Lawrence County
    Lawrence County, Alabama
    Lawrence County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. It was named after James Lawrence, a captain in the United States Navy from New Jersey. As of the 2010 census, the population was...

    )
    - enters the metro area in the Limestone County
    Limestone County, Alabama
    Limestone County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville Metropolitan Area.It is also included in the merged Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. Its name comes from Limestone Creek, a local stream. In 2000, the population was 65,676. As of 2010 the county's...

     portion of Decatur at the interchange with I-65 and I-565. (I-565 terminates here). Crosses the Tennessee River
    Tennessee River
    The Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. It is approximately 652 miles long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley. The river was once popularly known as the Cherokee River, among other names...

     on the Captain William J. Hudson "Steamboat Bill" Memorial Bridges, combined with US 31 and U.S. Highway 72 Alternate, into urban northern Decatur. Alabama 20 bends west and continues into the industrial portion of Decatur. The Port of Decatur
    Port of Decatur
    The Port of Decatur is a transshipment port on the Tennessee River, in the city of Decatur, Alabama, United States of America. The port was founded in 1971.- Port facilities :...

    , and such notable industries as The United Launch Alliance
    United Launch Alliance
    United Launch Alliance is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing. ULA was formed in December 2006 by combining the teams at these companies which provide spacecraft launch services to the government of the United States. U.S...

    , Solutia, Vulcan Materials, and 3M
    3M
    3M Company , formerly known as the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation based in Maplewood, Minnesota, United States....

     have operations along this route. The United Launch Alliance is especially important, since all satellite launch vehicles used by NASA
    NASA
    The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...

    , are produced at this single location. Alabama 20 eventually leaves the metro area as it exits Lawrence County
    Lawrence County, Alabama
    Lawrence County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. It was named after James Lawrence, a captain in the United States Navy from New Jersey. As of the 2010 census, the population was...

    , and enters Colbert County
    Colbert County, Alabama
    Colbert County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of brothers George and Levi Colbert, Chickasaw Indian chiefs. George Colbert operated a ferry across the Tennessee River in 1790 near present day Cherokee....

     of The Shoals
    The Shoals
    The Shoals is a metropolitan area in northwestern Alabama, officially known as the Florence-Muscle Shoals Metropolitan Area, including the cities of Florence, Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, and Sheffield, and the counties of Lauderdale and Colbert...

    .

  • State Route 24

  • State Route 33

  • State Route 36

  • State Route 67
    State Route 67 (Alabama)
    State Route 67 is a state highway in Alabama that connects the city of Decatur to U.S. Highway 231 at Rainbow Crossing in Blount County. This road serves as a link between Decatur and Gadsden.-Route description:...

    (Hulaco
    Hulaco, Alabama
    Hulaco is an unincorporated community located in extreme southeastern Morgan County, Alabama and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area....

     to Alt 72
    U.S. Route 72 Alternate
    Alternate US-72 exists in Alabama on the mostly south side of the Tennessee River between Muscle Shoals and Decatur, while US-72 follows on the north side of the river between Florence and Athens. Alternate 72 crosses the Tennessee River at Decatur, Alabama along with U.S. Highway 31 and follows...

    /AL 20
    State Route 20 (Alabama)
    State Route 20 ' runs from the Tennessee state line northwest of Florence, Alabama, east to I-65 east of Decatur in the northwestern Alabama...

     (Decatur
    Decatur, Alabama
    Decatur is a city in Limestone and Morgan Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County...

    ))
    - enters the area at Hulaco
    Hulaco, Alabama
    Hulaco is an unincorporated community located in extreme southeastern Morgan County, Alabama and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area....

     and continues to Somerville
    Somerville, Alabama
    Somerville is a town in Morgan County, Alabama. It is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population of the town is 347. Somerville was the county seat of Morgan County from 1818 to 1891, when the seat...

    . Passes by the old Morgan County
    Morgan County, Alabama
    Morgan County is the most populous county in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, and the second most populous county in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area in the U.S. State of Alabama. It was created by the Alabama Territorial legislature on February 6, 1818 from land acquired from the...

     Courthouse. Travels through Priceville
    Priceville, Alabama
    Priceville is the third largest municipality in Morgan County, Alabama, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, as well as the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2006 census estimate, the population of the town is 2,380....

     (past the Racking Horse World Celebration Arena), and enters Decatur at an interchange with I-65. As AL 67 crosses 6th Avenue (US 31)
    U.S. Route 31
    U.S. Route 31 is a long north–south highway connecting northern Michigan to southern Alabama, with its northern terminus at Interstate 75 near Mackinaw City, Michigan, and southern terminus at the combined U.S. Route 90 & U.S. Route 98 at Spanish Fort, Alabama...

     it becomes known as "The Beltline", (the bypass that was constructed to alleviate traffic problems on the swollen 6th Avenue). The highway continues on a north-northwesterly curve and terminates at Alt 72
    U.S. Route 72 Alternate
    Alternate US-72 exists in Alabama on the mostly south side of the Tennessee River between Muscle Shoals and Decatur, while US-72 follows on the north side of the river between Florence and Athens. Alternate 72 crosses the Tennessee River at Decatur, Alabama along with U.S. Highway 31 and follows...

    /AL 20
    State Route 20 (Alabama)
    State Route 20 ' runs from the Tennessee state line northwest of Florence, Alabama, east to I-65 east of Decatur in the northwestern Alabama...

     inside Decatur
    Decatur, Alabama
    Decatur is a city in Limestone and Morgan Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County...

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See also

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