$59,935Average Value$46Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Affordability and lake access near Saint Mary's Hospital
Named for St. Mary's Hospital, this neighborhood is a popular choice for healthcare professionals who want to be able to walk to work. The homes here are compact and affordable, often in need of renovations. Located on the city's southeast side, St. Mary's has front seats to some of the biggest up-and-coming projects in Decatur, as well as the city's most popular lakeside green space, Nelson Park. "You can walk over to Nelson Park in minutes and be by Lake Decatur," says Decatur City Councilman David Horn. "So, for those who want lake access but are looking for affordability, St. Mary's is a great choice."
Recent revitalization and more plans down the line
A wave of revitalization has been moving through the southeast side of Decatur as the city begins implementing the Jasper Street Improvement Project — a $10 million plan to revitalize the corridor along Jasper Street. The Johns Hill neighborhood has already had a complete overhaul with the addition of a brand-new school building, community garden and murals. "There was also a push to remove dilapidated structures and enhance existing properties in the Johns Hill area," Horn says. "St. Mary's is next door to Johns Hill Park, and it will benefit from these efforts, too." In the coming years, the city plans to renovate run-down properties in St. Mary's, hoping to draw in new homebuyers and offer long-term renters an affordable chance to transition to home ownership. The Jasper Street Improvement project has an expected completion date of 2026 and will add sidewalks and new parks along its 4-mile span.
Saint Marys residents can enjoy art at the local Decatur Arts Council.
Saint Marys residents can learn about the rich history of Decatur.
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Compact homes at some of the city's lowest prices
Most properties in St. Mary's are single-family homes, which tend to be compact in size and situated on tightly spaced streets. Built from 1920 to 1950, these ranch styles, bungalows and Cape Cods rarely get over 1,500 square feet, with many under 1,000 square feet. Some homes have back alley parking or come with detached garages. Prices are relatively affordable for Decatur, ranging from $20,000 for fixer-uppers to $100,000 for newly renovated properties. The streets around the high school have sidewalks, and almost all homes are shaded by mature trees.
Saint Marys homes have nice porches and small lots.
Saint Marys homes are small and quaint with modest features.
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Recreation at Nelson Park, free lunch at Johns Hill Park
Spanning 187 acres and situated on the shore of Lake Decatur, Nelson Park is a huge draw to the St. Mary's neighborhood. Less than a mile from most homes, the park has a disc golf course, fenced off-leash dog areas, horseshoe pits and public restrooms. It's also home to the Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater, which has regular live music nights, and the Splash Cove water park, which opened in the spring of 2024. Rentable boat slips are available at the Lake Decatur Marina, and during the Fourth of July, fireworks light up the lake. On the west side of St. Mary's, the smaller Johns Hill Park has a more local feel. Neighbors can gather at the sports courts or pavilion, and in the summer, the Decatur Parks Department offers a daily free lunch there to all kids under 18.
Families love to fish at Nelson Park near Saint Mary's.
Saint Marys is a waterside neighborhood with small town charm.
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Walkability to Eisenhower High and arts facilities at Johns Hill Magnet
Neighborhood kids are zoned to attend Muffley Elementary School, which gets a C-minus grade from Niche. Older kids are zoned for Stephen Decatur Middle School, rated C-minus, and Eisenhower High School, rated C-plus. Eisenhower is less than a mile away from most homes in the neighborhood, so many kids can walk to school on sidewalk-lined streets. The high school was renovated in 2013 with modern science labs and a food court-style cafeteria. Each student receives a laptop or iPad, and the school has AP and dual enrollment courses. The neighborhood is also less than a mile from Johns Hill Magnet School, which offers an integrated arts curriculum. The school serves kindergarten through eighth grade and got a brand-new building in 2021, which includes a ceramics kiln, dance studio and state-of-the-art auditorium.
Eisenhower High School provides a safe environment for students in Saint Mary's.
Stephen Decatur Middle School creates an inspiring atmosphere for learning in Saint Mary's.
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Fresh seafood and fried catfish at local restaurants
The St. Mary's neighborhood has a few restaurants within walking distance, all located on the outskirts of Nelson Park. Beach House is one of the most popular restaurants in the whole city, offering lakeside views and fresh-caught seafood shipped in daily. An outdoor patio stays cool thanks to the breeze coming in over the lake, and there are regular open mic nights. A bit further inland, Waterfront Café has no actual water views but is known for its comforting southern catfish nuggets and chicken wings. The unassuming shack doesn't have much indoor seating, so it's often a place to grab take-out. Right next door, Wild Dog Saloon is a neighborhood dive bar with a small outdoor patio. St. Mary's has a CVS for essentials, but the closest grocery store is the south-side Kroger, about 2 miles away.
Saint Marys Waterfront Cafe is ready to serve some great fish sandwiches.
Saint Marys Beach House is great for waterside dining and some of the freshest catches.
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Noise, employment and renovations at Saint Mary's Hospital
The neighborhood's proximity to St. Mary's Hospital means a decent amount of emergency vehicle noise. There's also some construction noise, as the hospital is undergoing a $90 million renovation expected to be done in 2026. The renovation will modernize the building and bring in new operating rooms but will involve demolishing part of the hospital. Despite the noise, being close to the hospital is a big draw for residents who work as part of the St. Mary's staff. Most homes are less than a 10-minute walk away from the large employer.
Saint Marys hospital is ready to serve the community.
Saint Marys residents come together at GT Church.
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Take the bus into downtown Decatur
Several bus lines run through the neighborhood, with stops at St. Mary's Hospital and the neighborhood streets. Downtown Decatur is about 2 miles away, typically a 15-minute trip on the bus. There is no direct bus line to the industrial hub in the city's northeast corner, which is home to major employers like ADM and Caterpillar.
Bussing to Downtown Decatur is easy with Decatur Transport in Saint Marys.
Saint Marys residents enjoy gathering in Downtown Decatur on their bikes.
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Written By
Catherine Lashley
Photography Contributed By
Stephen Mihalchik
Video By
Francisco de la Vera
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Agents Specializing in this Area
Randy Grigg
Vieweg RE/Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate-Service First
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Randy Grigg,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Fort Daniel Conservation Area
Nelson Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Saint Mary's
US
Homicide
7
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
7
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Saint Mary's, Decatur sell after 32 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Saint Mary's, Decatur over the last 12 months is $48,887, down 17% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$50,000
Median Single Family Price
$50,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$46
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Last 12 months Home Sales
37
Months of Supply
0.30
Median List Price
$50,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
4%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-22%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
409
Median Year Built
1952
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,631
Below the national average
1,936
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
1,742
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Randy Grigg,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,391
Median Age
38
Population under 18
27.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$40,594
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$45,755
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.9%
College Graduates
9%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
0.3%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
58.2%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
3''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
29/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
21/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
