County · Alabama
DeKalb County, Alabama
DeKalb County, Alabama. DeKalb County had 74,085 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.4% since 2020, in line with Alabama (+3.3%). It holds 17 places (17 cities, villages and boroughs) and 21 census tracts. GEOID 01049.
DeKalb County is the county of the Fort Payne, AL micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
74,085
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 71,608 · ACS 2020-2024: 72,269
Median household income
$51,204
±$2,508 (90% margin)
Alabama: $63,999
Median home value
$152,700
±$5,889 (90% margin)
Alabama: $209,900
Median gross rent
$693
±$25 (90% margin)
Alabama: $1,007
How many people live in DeKalb County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 71,608 residents in DeKalb County. The Census Bureau estimates 74,085 for July 1, 2025, up 3.4% since 2020, in line with Alabama (+3.3%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 72,269 over 777 square miles of land.
| Measure | DeKalb County | Alabama | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 72,269 | 5,086,768 | +959 |
| Households | 26,181±470 | 1,997,247 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.73±0.05 | 2.48 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 30,963±79 | 2,337,265 | −346 |
DeKalb County's population since 2000
From 64,452 in 2000 to 74,085 in 2025: up 14.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in DeKalb County?
DeKalb County holds 17 places: 17 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Fort Payne with 15,189 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Fort Payne | 14,877 | $47,479 |
|---|---|---|
| Rainsville | 5,505 | $74,046 |
| Henagar | 2,292 | $49,315 |
| Collinsville | 2,059 | $31,652 |
| Crossville | 1,830 | $49,100 |
| Sylvania | 1,790 | $56,161 |
| Fyffe | 967 | $34,870 |
| Geraldine | 910 | $43,594 |
| Powell | 901 | $61,786 |
| Ider | 735 | $54,444 |
| Valley HeadGEOID 0178240 | 577 | $45,889 |
| Hammondville | 425 | $37,083 |
| ShilohGEOID 0169840 | 321 | $61,538 |
| MentoneGEOID 0148064 | 319 | $42,344 |
| Pine RidgeGEOID 0160372 | 263 | $58,750 |
| LakeviewGEOID 0140888 | 161 | $63,125 |
| Sand Rock | 591 | $73,333 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in DeKalb County?
The median resident of DeKalb County is 39.5 years old; 24.0% are under 18 and 17.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 77.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 17.1%. 7.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | DeKalb County | Alabama | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.5±0.4 | 39.3 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.0% | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.6%±0.2 pts | 17.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 17.1% | 5.6% | +2.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 77.0%±0.3 pts | 63.4% | −3.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.3%±0.2 pts | 25.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 1.4% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.4%±0.3 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.8%±0.9 pts | 4.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 14.9%±1.0 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.7%±0.7 pts | 7.7% | – |
| With a disability | 17.0%±1.1 pts | 16.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 15.5%±1.3 pts | 9.2% | +1.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 79.2%±1.6 pts | 88.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 14.1%±1.4 pts | 28.4% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.2%±0.7 pts | 11.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.1%±0.4 pts | 2.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in DeKalb County earn?
Half of DeKalb County's 26,181 households earn less than $51,204 a year (±$2,508), against $63,999 in Alabama. In 2015-2019 it was $49,769 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 22.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | DeKalb County | Alabama | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $51,204±$2,508 | $63,999 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $68,235±$2,640 | $88,898 | – |
| Per capita income | $26,490±$949 | $36,087 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 22.4%±1.9 pts | 15.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 33.0%±4.8 pts | 21.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.7%±1.8 pts | 13.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.9%±1.9 pts | 87.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in DeKalb County?
Owners occupy 78.3% of DeKalb County's occupied homes and renters 21.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $152,700 by its owner (±$5,889). The median renter pays $693 a month including utilities, and 35.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | DeKalb County | Alabama | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $152,700±$5,889 | $209,900 | +$22,123 |
| Median gross rent | $693±$25 | $1,007 | −$80 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.0%±5.8 pts | 39.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,167±$45 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 78.3%±1.9 pts | 70.2% | +6.8 pts |
| Housing units | 30,963±79 | 2,337,265 | −346 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.6%±3.3 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 71.2%±1.9 pts | 69.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 22.2%±1.8 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7%±0.6 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.4%±0.9 pts | 4.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is DeKalb County building?
Builders took permits for 45 new housing units across DeKalb County in 2025 (45 single-family), 0.6 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in DeKalb County get to work?
83.2% of DeKalb County's workers drive alone and 4.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.1%.
| Measure | DeKalb County | Alabama | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.7%±1.5 pts | 58.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1%±1.2 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 83.2%±1.9 pts | 80.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.1%±1.8 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 0.7%±0.5 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.4%±0.9 pts | 8.8% | +1.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.8 min±1.1 | 25.5 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are DeKalb County's census tracts?
DeKalb County is divided into 21 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $35,625 (Tract 9609) to $75,528 (Tract 9604.02).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does DeKalb County compare with Alabama's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 20th of 67 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 20th of 67 |
| Residents per square mile | 23rd of 67 |
| Median household income | 42nd of 67 |
| Median home value | 35th of 67 |
| Median gross rent | 52nd of 67 |
| Poverty rate | 13th of 67 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 54th of 67 |
| Median age | 49th of 67 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for DeKalb County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.