1st Advantage MortgageAbout 78% of DeKalb County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $51,204. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Getting oriented in DeKalb County
- What DeKalb County households earn
- Jobs and commutes in DeKalb County
- Rent, home values and ownership in DeKalb County
- DeKalb County towns compared
- How DeKalb County compares with nearby counties
- A DeKalb County household budget, worked through
- More DeKalb County figures
- Local borrowing considerations for DeKalb County
- Who licenses lenders for DeKalb County residents
- Four steps for DeKalb County borrowers
- More guides for DeKalb County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in DeKalb County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts DeKalb County's population at 72,269; only 19 of Alabama's 67 county-level areas are larger. It covers 777 square miles of land, or about 93 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, DeKalb County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 16 Census places inside DeKalb County, Fort Payne leads by population with about 14,927; 16 of the 16 are incorporated.
What DeKalb County households earn
At $51,204, the typical DeKalb County household income is 22% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 42nd among Alabama's 67 county-level areas.
| Band | DeKalb County | Compared with Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 36.0% | +7.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.3% | +2.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.9% | -5.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.9% | -4.9 pts |
Some 36% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 21% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 22.4% of DeKalb County residents in poverty, against 15.6% across Alabama. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.459 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the DeKalb County median.
Jobs and commutes in DeKalb County
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed DeKalb County residents work in manufacturing and 18% in education and health care. Manufacturing stands out: 23% of workers here, versus 14% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 83% drive to work alone and 15% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 4.2% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | DeKalb County | Gap to Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 23.4% | +9.3 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.3% | -4.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.1% | -1.5 pts |
| Construction | 9.0% | +2.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.5% | -0.5 pts |
| Other services | 6.8% | +2.0 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in DeKalb County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Rent, home values and ownership in DeKalb County
A typical DeKalb County rental runs $693 a month including utilities, which is 31% below Alabama. By the Census definition, 44% of DeKalb County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $152,700, or 3.0 years of median income. Owners occupy 78% of homes.
| Cost | DeKalb County | Alabama figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $693/mo | $1,007/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $152,700 | $209,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 24% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 22.2% | 12.3% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 15% | 15% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
DeKalb County towns compared
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 16 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 49% of DeKalb County residents live in one of the 16. Rainsville has the highest median household income on the list ($74,046) and Collinsville the lowest ($31,652), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $417 in Geraldine to $1,048 in Henagar. No DeKalb County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 16.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Payne | city | 14,927 | $47,479 | $679 | 7 mi |
| Rainsville | city | 5,702 | $74,046 | $519 | 3 mi |
| Henagar | city | 2,501 | $49,315 | $1,048 | 12 mi |
| Crossville | town | 2,143 | $49,100 | $695 | 17 mi |
| Sylvania | town | 1,925 | $56,161 | $692 | 7 mi |
| Collinsville | city | 1,781 | $31,652 | $545 | 14 mi |
| Fyffe | town | 1,190 | $34,870 | $565 | 6 mi |
| Geraldine | town | 1,011 | $43,594 | $417 | 13 mi |
| Powell | town | 912 | $61,786 | $931 | 7 mi |
| Ider | town | 731 | $54,444 | $760 | 18 mi |
| Valley Head | town | 669 | $45,889 | $917 | 12 mi |
| Pine Ridge | town | 506 | $58,750 | $852 | 1 mi |
| Shiloh | town | 383 | $61,538 | $725 | 4 mi |
| Mentone | town | 377 | $42,344 | n/a | 14 mi |
How DeKalb County compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Jackson County at 23 miles out to Dade County at 32. Dade County leads the group on income ($64,568), Chattooga County trails ($50,285), and DeKalb County out-earns 1 of the six. Some neighbors are in Georgia. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a DeKalb County resident follows Alabama rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeKalb County | - | $51,204 | $693/mo | 78% |
| Jackson County, AL | 23 mi | $51,908 | $780/mo | 75% |
| Chattooga County, GA | 26 mi | $50,285 | $790/mo | 67% |
| Cherokee County, AL | 28 mi | $53,863 | $762/mo | 81% |
| Marshall County, AL | 31 mi | $62,571 | $795/mo | 76% |
| Etowah County, AL | 31 mi | $54,563 | $847/mo | 74% |
| Dade County, GA | 32 mi | $64,568 | $829/mo | 80% |
A DeKalb County household budget, worked through
Here is the DeKalb County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, DeKalb County: $4,267
- 16% goes to median rent ($693)
- $843: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,142 a month
If your rent is above $693, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
More DeKalb County figures
Degree holders: 14% of adults over 25. 15.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | DeKalb County | All of Alabama | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.5 | 39.3 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.1% | 28.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 20.8% | 11.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.5% | 9.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.2% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.4% | 8.8% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 22.4% | 15.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.1% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of DeKalb County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.7% |
| 60+ min | 8.1% |
Local borrowing considerations for DeKalb County
Based on the DeKalb County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Health costs. With 16% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 22% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Assistance before credit. With a 22% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any DeKalb County loan.
Who licenses lenders for DeKalb County residents
No county office licenses personal lenders. For DeKalb County, check the Alabama State Banking Department. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. Statewide data and rules: Alabama guide.
Four steps for DeKalb County borrowers
Quick steps for DeKalb County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- A Alabama license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
More guides for DeKalb County
The Alabama guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is DeKalb County a high-income county?
Its $51,204 median ranks 42nd of 67 Alabama counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is DeKalb County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $693 against $1,007 statewide, and 44% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should DeKalb County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 78% of DeKalb County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Which towns does the DeKalb County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 16 Census places: Fort Payne, Rainsville, Henagar, Crossville, Sylvania.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in DeKalb County or elsewhere in Alabama, the same rules apply.