RANK #491 / 996 · POP 71,680 · AL
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.7%
DeKalb County, Alabama, is known for its natural beauty, particularly Little River Canyon National Preserve, often called the "Grand Canyon of the East." This northeast Alabama county, with Fort Payne as its largest city and county seat, is about an hour's drive from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Huntsville, Alabama. The community offers a blend of small-town living and access to outdoor activities across its mountainous terrain, including DeSoto State Park and Buck's Pocket State Park. The area's scenic drives, waterfalls, and extensive hiking and biking trails contribute to its appeal. Life in DeKalb County is characterized by a low cost of living and a strong sense of community. Many residents own their homes, and the public schools in the county are highly rated. The economy is supported by manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism, with recent investments in industrial parks and infrastructure. These developments aim to attract new businesses and strengthen the local workforce, creating opportunities for residents and contributing to the county's economic picture.
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.9x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
DeKalb County Water and Sewer Infrastructure Investment
DeKalb County
|
$4,270M | Planned |
|
Meta DeKalb Data Center Expansion
Meta
|
$1,000M | Operating |
|
Siemens Energy Fort Payne Expansion
Siemens Energy
|
$1,000M | Planned |
|
Edged DeKalb Data Center (Project Vector)
Edged
|
$500M | Approved |
|
Fratco Production Facility
Fratco
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Broadband Expansion Projects (DeKalb County portion)
Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
DeKalb County has a Boom Town Index score of 51/100, ranking #491 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.6% and a median household income of $47,920, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in DeKalb County is $129,000 with median rent at $684/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3715, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.2% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.6%. Home values changed -0.5% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.43% of DeKalb County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.