The Town Files

DeKalb County, Tennessee

20,959 people. The median home is worth $235,500 (typical Tennessee town: $204,650) and the median household earns $53,153.

Towns in DeKalb County

Towns in DeKalb County

TownPeopleMedian homeIncomeMedian age
Smithville5,004$194,200$33,19242.2

People and housing

DeKalb CountyTypical Tennessee town
Median home value$235,500$204,650
Median rent$839$863
Median household income$53,153$57,917
Median age41.940.8
Bachelor's degree or higher20.8%18.2%
Below the poverty line18.6%14.2%

Jobs and pay

5,388 jobs in 2024, average pay $48,873 a year.

Largest industries in DeKalb CountyManufacturing1,917 jobs · $59,274Retail561 jobs · $29,670Hotels & restaurants441 jobs · $19,382Construction149 jobs · $47,226Finance & insurance130 jobs · $59,368Wholesale trade125 jobs · $60,669
BLS QCEW 2024.
Unemployment rate in DeKalb County0%2%4%6%8%10%12%2000200420082012201620202023 4.1%
BLS LAUS via USDA ERS, annual averages.

Storms since 1996

NOAA recorded 293 storm events in DeKalb County from 1996 to 2026, with 1 deaths.

Storm events in DeKalb County by type since 1996Hail33Flood2Drought39Tornado9High Wind3Lightning5Heavy Snow8Flash Flood19Strong Wind3Winter Storm16
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.

Federal disaster declarations

DeKalb County has been included in 20 FEMA declarations since 1953.

DeclaredIncidentDeclaration
February 6, 2026Winter StormDR-4898: Severe Winter Storm
January 24, 2026Winter StormEM-3635: Severe Winter Storm
April 2, 2025Severe StormEM-3625: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding
April 21, 2021Severe Ice StormDR-4594: Severe Winter Storms
April 2, 2020BiologicalDR-4514: Covid-19 Pandemic
March 13, 2020BiologicalEM-3473: Covid-19
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024; BLS QCEW and LAUS; NOAA Storm Events; FEMA OpenFEMA (not endorsed by FEMA).