Hartselle is the second largest city in Morgan County, Alabama, United States, about 10 miles (16 km) 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 founded in 1870 with the arrival of the South and North Alabama Railroad. It takes its name from George Hartselle, one of the railroad's owners. The post office open in 1873. Most of the oldest buildings were destroyed by a disastrous fire in 1916.