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DeKalb County, AL
16 cities and towns and 15 ZIP codes in DeKalb County, Alabama.
Population
72,269
Land area
777sq mi
People per sq mi
93
ZIP codes
15
Cities and towns in DeKalb County
DeKalb County at a glance
- The median household income is $51,204, 20% below the Alabama median of $63,999.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $152,700 (27% below Alabama) and median rent is $693 a month.
- Its largest cities are Fort Payne (14,927), Rainsville (5,702) and Henagar (2,501).
Local data for DeKalb County, AL
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals1
- Emergency Rooms1
- Nursing Homes3
- Schools22
- Libraries8
- Banks21
- Post Offices14
- Parks40
- Grocery Stores37
- Restaurants159
- Affordable Housing2
- Home Health Agencies2
- Hospice Care1
- Dialysis Centers1
- Community Health Centers3
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment4
- Private Schools2
- Toxic Release Facilities12
- Historic Places6
Housing and community stats
DeKalb County, AL, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$51,204
Poverty rate
22.4%
Median home value
$152,700
Prices +2.5% in a year
Median rent
$693/mo
Homeownership
78.3%
Bachelor's or higher
14.1%
Median age
39.5
Average commute
24.8 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (6,526), Mexican Americans (6,221), Guatemalan Americans (4,729).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, income, federal spending and pandemic loans
Unemployment rate
3.2%
Aug 2026, +0.8 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$52,324
23,861 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$45,152
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$373M
FY 2026, $5,205 per person
PPP loans
$106M
2,726 loans, 13,910 jobs reported
Campaign donations
$133K
Itemized, 2026 cycle
How people get to work
DeKalb County, AL, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone83.2%
- Carpooled11.1%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked0.7%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.7%
- Worked from home4.4%
Average one-way commute: 24.8 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
DeKalb County, AL, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: strong wind
Storm events since 1996
1,125
Most often thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
51
0.2% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
91° / 32°F
58.0 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone6 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in DeKalb County, AL, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
38.6%
U.S. 33.3% +5.3 pts
Diabetes
15.7%
U.S. 12.1% +3.6 pts
Smoking
19.6%
U.S. 12.8% +6.8 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
14.7%
U.S. 11.1% +3.6 pts
Cities, towns and ZIP codes in DeKalb County
Population shown
Frequently asked questions
- What is the largest city in DeKalb County, AL?
- Fort Payne is the largest city or town in DeKalb County, with about 14,927 residents.
- How many ZIP codes are in DeKalb County?
- DeKalb County includes 15 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, including 35961, 35962, 35963, 35967, 35968.
- What is the population of DeKalb County, AL?
- About 72,269 people live in DeKalb County, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What counties border DeKalb County?
- DeKalb County borders Etowah County, Marshall County, Walker County, GA, Jackson County, Cherokee County, Chattooga County, GA, Dade County, GA.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023