Population & Household section gives reader an outlook. of general population profile, structure, and outlook.
Population Trend
DeKalb County, AL, exhibits a modest population growth rate of 0.2% over the past year, consistent with its 0.19% CAGR over the last 13 years. The median age is 39.6, slightly above the state average of 39.3, indicating a relatively mature population. Notably, the county has a balanced sex ratio of 100.0, which is favorable compared to many other counties in Alabama. With 23.9% of its population under 18 and 17.3% above 65, DeKalb's age dependency ratio of 70.1 suggests a significant proportion of dependents, reflecting trends seen in nearby counties like Marshall and Etowah.
Total Population
71680
Sex Ratio
100.0 %
Population Growth (2021-2022)
0.2 %
Population CAGR (2010-2022)
0.19 %
Population Growth Rate (%)
Source: Census.gov
Age Structure
Dependency Rate
70.1 %
Median Age
39.6 y.o.
% of Population > 65 y.o.
17.3 %
Active Aging Index
88.5 %
Old Dependency Rate
29.4 %
Young Dependency Rate
40.6 %
Age Structure (%)
Source: Census.gov
Population Structure
Source: Census.gov
Household Status
DeKalb County, AL, with a total of 25,690 households, exhibits a slightly larger average household size of 2.75 compared to the state average of 2.53. The county has a notable percentage of households with children (32.2%) and elderly residents (32.2%), aligning closely with state trends. However, DeKalb's household growth rate is modest at 0.35%, and it has experienced a slight decline in growth over the past few years (-0.08% CAGR), contrasting with the more robust growth seen in counties like Madison (1.95% CAGR) and Baldwin (2.26% CAGR). The proportion of married couples (56%) is relatively high, indicating a stable family structure, yet the overall household dynamics suggest a need for economic revitalization to enhance growth prospects compared to its peers in Alabama.
Total Households
25690
Married-couple Household
14339
Household CAGR (2010-2022)
-0.08 %
Household Growth (2021-2022)
0.35 %
Average Household Size
2.75 p
Average Family Size
3.32 p
Household with Children (%)
32.2 %
Household with Elder 65+ (%)
32.2 %
Household Size
Source: Census.gov
Household Structure
Source: Census.gov
Marriage
Never Married
25.3 %
Now Married
56 %
Widowed
7.3 %
Divorced
11.5 %
Marriage Status
Source: Census.gov
Marriage Status Breakdown
Source: Census.gov | S1201
Cultures
*Culture section contains several components: races, education, marriage and other factors.
Racial Profiiles
DeKalb County, AL, exhibits a unique demographic profile compared to both national and state averages. With a single race percentage of 95.1%, it is slightly less homogeneous than Alabama's 96.3% but significantly more so than the national average of 91.2%. Notably, DeKalb has a Hispanic population of 15.4%, which is markedly higher than Alabama's 4.6% and suggests a growing cultural diversity. The county's racial composition shows a predominance of White residents at 82.5%, with a minimal Black population of 1.5%, indicating a distinct demographic landscape within the state.
One Race
95.1 %
Two or More Races
4.9 %
Non-White
17.5 %
Hispanic (Overlapping)
15.4 %
White
59102
Black
1043
Asian
72
Native American
1098
Race Structure (%)
Source: Census.gov
Racial Profile Breakdown
Source: Census.gov
Place of Birth
DeKalb County, AL, shows a unique demographic profile compared to both national and state averages. With 92.6% of its population born in the U.S., it is slightly below Alabama's 96.5% and significantly lower than the national average of 86.3%. The county has a higher percentage of foreign-born residents (7.4%) than the state (3.5%), indicating a more diverse population. Notably, 93.5% of foreign-born individuals in DeKalb County come from South America, which is a distinctive trend compared to other counties in Alabama. This suggests a unique cultural influence in the region.
Native US Citizen
59102
Native US Citizen (%)
17.5 %
Born in Alabama (%)
67.3 %
Born in Other State (%)
25.1 %
Foreign Born (%)
7.4 %
Naturalized (% of Foreign Born)
18.3 %
Place of Birth Changes (2010-2022)
Source: Census.gov
Birthplace Breakdown (Outside of US)
Source: Census.gov
Migration
-
Migration Inflow (% of Population)
10.1 %
From Different County (% of Inflow)
76.8 %
From Different State (% of Inflow)
15.5 %
From Different Country (% of Inflow)
7.7 %
%
Source: Census.gov
Religion
Number of Congregations
202
Number of Adherents
45266
Adherents (% of Total Population)
63.2 %
Christian (% of Total Population)
61.6 %
Religion Breakdown
Source: Census.gov
Education Attainment
DeKalb County, AL, shows a significant educational and economic profile compared to both state and national averages. With only 14.1% of the population aged 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree, it lags behind Alabama's 27.2% and the national average of 34.3%. The median earnings for DeKalb residents at $34,837 are lower than the state median of $43,016 and the national median of $48,747. However, the county has seen a notable increase in degree holders over the past decade, rising from 10.7%. This suggests potential for growth, particularly in STEM fields, where 37.5% of degree holders are enrolled.