DeKalb County, Georgia Demographics 2026

Population Overview

DeKalb County is located in Georgia with a total population of 762,105. It is the 4th most populous county out of 159 in Georgia.

Age Demographics

The median age in DeKalb County is 36.3 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 37.4 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in DeKalb County is $77,683. This is 4% higher than the state median of $74,664. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 1% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.5%. This is about average than the state poverty rate of 13.5%. The unemployment rate is 6.4%. This is 25% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $331,400. Housing costs are 21% higher than the state median of $272,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 58.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 10% lower than the state average of 65.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in DeKalb County is Black or African American, making up 51.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 28.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (51.1% vs 31.0%).

Education

46.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places DeKalb County in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 37% higher than the state rate of 34.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.8%. Notably, 20.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.