We’ve already cut Decatur’s 2010 Census data a couple of ways over the past few months, and had a lengthy discussion about the decline of black households inside the city.  But what about that OTHER most talked about Decatur demographic?

That’s right, I’m talking about families with kids.

A reader points to this great website that very clearly shows the growth in various demographics between the 2000 and 2010 Census, among them households with children.  Here’s the breakdown on households by family-type:

                                                                           2000         2010     % change

• Under 6 years old:                                     399            698          75%
• Under 6 years and 6-17 years:               192            305          59%
• 6-17 years only:                                         530             730          38%
• No children under 18 years:                1,462          1,603         10%
• Male householder only w/kids:              195              216         11%
• Female householder only w/kids:      1,076             984         -9%

Note that this is HOUSEHOLD data and doesn’t take into account the number of children in each household.  However, this might be the first concrete dataset we’ve seen which confirms what many of you have been reporting for years: an impressive/scary/reaffirming increase among the youngest children set.  Just to be clear: the number of households with children under 6 years old is nearly THE SAME as households with kids 6-17 years old.  That’s certainly something to take note of considering that’s a 6 year age span compared to an 11 year age span.

That discrepancy, combined with general increases in all three husband/wife/kid groups gives a very real idea of the enrollment issues City Schools of Decatur having been dealing with and will have to accommodate in the coming years.