DeKalb County, Tennessee Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 65th-largest in Tennessee

The population of DeKalb County, Tennessee is 20,551 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 65th-largest county in Tennessee. The median household income is $48,484, the median home value is $206,600, and the median age is 42.2.

The population of DeKalb County has grown 16.3% since 2010 (18,694 → 21,747), a +1.09% annualized rate.

DeKalb County within Tennessee · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

20,551

Population

+1.09%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$48,484

Median Income

$206,600

Median Home Value

DeKalb County covers 304 sq mi of land at 67.5 people per square mile.

About DeKalb County, TN

Among US counties, DeKalb County stands out first on household income: a median of $48,484, below the US median of $78,538. With 20,551 residents, DeKalb County is a county in Tennessee.

Incomes run on the lower side: a median household income of $48,484, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 15.6%, above the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $206,600, with typical rent around $773.

Degree attainment is mid-range for US counties: 20.0% of adults hold a four-year degree, below the national 35.0%. About 6.5% of the workforce is home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 29 minutes each way.

DeKalb County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of DeKalb County had a population of 18,694 in 2010 and 21,747 in 2024, a 16.3% growth over 14 years. The peak was 21,747 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.09%.

DeKalb County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

21,747

Population (2024)

18,694

Population (2010)

21,747

Peak (2024)

1.09%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	18,694	-	-	estimate
2011	18,753	+59	+0.32%	estimate
2012	18,865	+112	+0.60%	estimate
2013	19,147	+282	+1.49%	estimate
2014	19,218	+71	+0.37%	estimate
2015	19,281	+63	+0.33%	estimate
2016	19,414	+133	+0.69%	estimate
2017	19,817	+403	+2.08%	estimate
2018	20,045	+228	+1.15%	estimate
2019	20,409	+364	+1.82%	estimate
2020	20,191	-218	-1.07%	estimate
2021	20,506	+315	+1.56%	estimate
2022	21,013	+507	+2.47%	estimate
2023	21,337	+324	+1.54%	estimate
2024	21,747	+410	+1.92%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	88.8%
Black or African American	1.8%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.1%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

42.2

Median Age

49.3%

Female

50.7%

Male

18.8%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

7.4%

5–9

5.4%

10–14

5.5%

15–19

5.7%

20–24

5.3%

25–34

12.7%

35–44

11.6%

45–54

12.6%

55–59

6.8%

60–64

8.3%

65–74

11.6%

75–84

5.2%

85+

2.0%

Children (under 15): 18.3% · Seniors (65+): 18.8%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$48,484$-18,613 vs state
Mean household income	$66,814
Per-capita income	$28,137
Poverty rate	15.6%+5.7% vs state
Unemployment rate	3.2%
Employment-to-population	51.1%

Top Industries by Employment

Manufacturing

22.1%

Professional & business services

18.9%

Retail trade

9.5%

Education & health care

8.6%

Construction

7.7%

Finance & real estate

5.9%

Information

5.0%

Public administration

4.2%

The largest employment sector in DeKalb County is manufacturing, accounting for 22.1% of workers.

How residents commute

0.0%

Drive alone

1.8%

Carpool

80.7%

Public transit

6.5%

Work from home

28.7 min

Avg commute

Housing

$206,600$-50,200 vs state

Median home value

$773

Median rent

68.9%

Homeownership rate

10,033

Total housing units

84.7%

Occupied

15.3%

Vacant

31.1%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

91.6%

With health insurance

87.8%

With broadband internet

31.2%

Foreign-born

8.0%

Veterans (18+)

21.6%

With a disability

94.8%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

82.7%

High School+

20.0%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Tennessee

Nashville-Davidson (684,298)Memphis (629,063)Knoxville (193,721)Chattanooga (182,832)Clarksville (171,897)Murfreesboro (157,547)Franklin (85,575)Johnson City (71,455)Jackson (68,098)Hendersonville (62,390)All Tennessee cities →

Other counties in Tennessee

Shelby County (922,195)Davidson County (709,846)Knox County (487,401)Hamilton County (370,913)Rutherford County (351,591)Williamson County (254,609)Montgomery County (227,957)Sumner County (200,553)Sullivan County (159,693)Wilson County (153,587)All Tennessee counties →

Part of Tennessee

Tennessee demographic profile All Tennessee data →

Metro areas in Tennessee

Nashville (2,043,713)Memphis (1,341,606)Knoxville (919,553)Chattanooga (569,333)Clarksville (328,626)Kingsport (309,580)Johnson City (208,934)Jackson (180,844)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

DeKalb County, Tennessee has a population of 20,551 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 65th-largest county in Tennessee. Population density is 68 people per square mile.

The population of DeKalb County has grown 16.3% since 2010 (18,694 → 21,747), a +1.09% annualized rate.

The median household income in DeKalb County, Tennessee is $48,484, with mean (average) household income of $66,814 and per-capita income of $28,137. 15.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In DeKalb County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (88.8%), Black or African American (1.8%), Hispanic or Latino (1.1%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in DeKalb County, Tennessee is 42.2 years. Residents are 49.3% female and 50.7% male.

The median home value in DeKalb County is $206,600 and median monthly rent is $773. 68.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 10,033 total housing units, 15.3% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in DeKalb County, Tennessee is manufacturing, employing 22.1% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.2%.

Nashville-Davidson is among the largest cities associated with DeKalb County, Tennessee, with a population of 684,298.