RANK #878 / 996 · POP 761,209 · GA
PROJECTED GROWTH: -1.4%
DeKalb County, Georgia, is home to Stone Mountain Park, a 3,200-acre natural area featuring a massive granite monolith with hiking trails and scenic views of the Atlanta skyline. Located just east of downtown Atlanta, DeKalb County offers a mix of urban and suburban living. Commuting to Atlanta is facilitated by major interstates and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) rail and bus services. The county is known for its diverse population, with over 60 languages spoken, contributing to a cosmopolitan atmosphere in its various communities, including the county seat of Decatur.
Life in DeKalb County offers a blend of community and access to amenities. The county provides a range of housing options, from established neighborhoods to modern developments, catering to families, professionals, and students. The DeKalb County School District serves a large student population across numerous elementary, middle, and high schools. Outdoor recreation is readily available with an extensive network of parks, trails, and nature preserves, including the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve. Economically, the county is experiencing investment in health services, infrastructure, and mixed-use developments, with a focus on creating new housing and business growth. The presence of institutions like Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also contributes to the local economy.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.9x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Water and Sewer Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management (DWM)
|
$4,270M | Planned |
|
Ellenwood Data Center (Proposed)
PCC-DeKalb, LLC
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Burr Oak Solar Facility
Leeward Renewable Energy
|
$300M | Approved |
|
Seminole Road Landfill Renewable Fuels Facility (Restart)
Conyers Renewable Power
|
$40M | 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 12/100, ranking #878 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.7% and a median household income of $76,044, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in DeKalb County is $301,100 with median rent at $1,464/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2526, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.3% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.7%. Home values changed -4.2% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.37% of DeKalb County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.