Atlanta-Decatur
RANK #909 / 996 NAT · #33 / 41 GA · POP 761,209
1YR FORECAST: -1.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +11%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
The data is not encouraging — DeKalb County scores just 8/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #909 of 996 counties. Job growth at -0.7% and median household income of $76,044 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in DeKalb County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $301,100 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.25, with rents averaging $1,464/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in DeKalb County are both close to flat — population +0.3% YoY and jobs -0.7%. Home values shifted -4.2% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.37% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests DeKalb County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.