1st Advantage MortgageIn DeKalb County, Tennessee, the typical household earns $53,153 a year and the typical rent is $839. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Tennessee before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of DeKalb County
- Housing costs in DeKalb County
- Household income in DeKalb County
- Work, industries and travel time in DeKalb County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in DeKalb County
- The counties around DeKalb County
- DeKalb County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Local borrowing considerations for DeKalb County
- Room for a loan payment in DeKalb County
- Before you sign
- Tennessee rules that apply in DeKalb County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of DeKalb County
With an estimated 20,959 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), DeKalb County ranks 65th of 95 in Tennessee for population. Packed into 304 square miles, that is close to 69 residents for every square mile of land. No metropolitan area includes DeKalb County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 4 places in the county (4 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Smithville, with about 5,288 residents, or 25% of the county.
Housing costs in DeKalb County
Renters in DeKalb County pay a median of $839 a month, 29% below the Tennessee figure of $1,189. 61% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 31% spend half or more. With a median value of $235,500, a typical DeKalb County house costs 4.4 times what the median household earns in a year. 73% of DeKalb County households own their home and 27% rent. The median year built is 1986.
| Cost | DeKalb County | Tennessee figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $839/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $235,500 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 61% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 11.7% | 8.1% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 15% | 10% | n/a |
Because most DeKalb County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral. When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Household income in DeKalb County
The median household income in DeKalb County is $53,153; statewide it is $69,595, so DeKalb County runs 24% below Tennessee as a whole.
| Yearly household income | DeKalb County | Gap to Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.6% | +9.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.1% | +0.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.1% | -4.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.2% | -5.7 pts |
About 34% of households earn under $35,000, while 23% clear $100,000. 18.6% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.445 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Work, industries and travel time in DeKalb County
Manufacturing employs 21% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 19%. Manufacturing stands out: 21% of workers here, versus 13% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for DeKalb County averages 5.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.7%). Long commutes are common here: 29% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 7.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | DeKalb County | Difference from Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 21.2% | +8.6 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.8% | -3.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.1% | +1.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.3% | -3.3 pts |
| Construction | 7.7% | +0.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.6% | -1.3 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.
Cities, towns and CDPs in DeKalb County
The table lists the 4 largest of 4 Census places in DeKalb County, by population. Together all 4 hold about 7,264 people, so roughly 65% of residents live outside any named place. This guide covers each of the 4 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smithville | city | 5,288 | $33,192 | $740 | 2 mi |
| Alexandria | town | 1,136 | $50,116 | $789 | 13 mi |
| Dowelltown | town | 434 | $35,313 | $695 | 6 mi |
| Liberty | town | 406 | $45,781 | $534 | 8 mi |
The counties around DeKalb County
Six nearby counties, 18 to 27 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $47,951 in Jackson County to $66,293 in Smith County; 4 of these neighbors top DeKalb County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeKalb County | - | $53,153 | $839/mo | 73% |
| Cannon County, TN | 18 mi | $59,443 | $908/mo | 78% |
| Smith County, TN | 20 mi | $66,293 | $922/mo | 77% |
| Warren County, TN | 21 mi | $55,487 | $827/mo | 72% |
| White County, TN | 21 mi | $52,188 | $849/mo | 77% |
| Putnam County, TN | 22 mi | $58,912 | $908/mo | 61% |
| Jackson County, TN | 27 mi | $47,951 | $758/mo | 81% |
DeKalb County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 21% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 8.7%, against 10.0% for Tennessee.
| DeKalb County | Tennessee | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.9 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.8% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.5% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.7% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.0% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.6% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.6% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.6% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 20.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.3% |
| 60+ min | 16.5% |
Local borrowing considerations for DeKalb County
What the DeKalb County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Vehicle repairs. 29% of DeKalb County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- 19% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Renters under pressure. When 61% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
Room for a loan payment in DeKalb County
Here is the DeKalb County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $4,429 gross per month ($53,153 / 12)
- Less median rent of $839, which is 19% of it
- $756: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for DeKalb County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Ask a DeKalb County credit union about member loans.
Tennessee rules that apply in DeKalb County
The Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Tennessee license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. See the Tennessee state guide for the statewide picture.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Tennessee guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in DeKalb County earn?
The median is $53,153; 23% earn $100,000 or more and 34% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in DeKalb County?
$839 a month at the median, about 19% of median household income.
Which towns does the DeKalb County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 4 Census places: Smithville, Alexandria, Dowelltown, Liberty.
Can DeKalb County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Tennessee county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Is there a DeKalb County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Tennessee it is the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions.