DeKalb
Alabama

What stands out

Against every county in America, DeKalb County is unusual in three ways: the property tax rate is in the bottom 3% of American counties (0.34%), high-school completion is in the bottom 5% of American counties (78%), and violent crime is in the top 9% of American counties (4.8 per 1,000). Within Alabama it ranks 41st of 67 counties for the property tax rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in DeKalb County, Alabama. 71,680 people live here with you. The population grew 0.7% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +495).

Alabama's property taxes are among the lowest in the country because assessments are capped at a fraction of market value, but the state makes it up with one of the highest combined sales-tax rates, and groceries are taxed. Huntsville's aerospace and defense payroll sets it apart from the rest of the state; the Gulf coast around Mobile and Baldwin County carries real hurricane exposure and insurance costs to match.

Money

The typical household here brings in $47,920 a year, lower than 83% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $50,391. Unemployment runs 2.3%, lower than 88% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 24 minutes each way.

Alabama takes 4.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,356 a year.

Home

The median home costs $215K, cheaper than 57% of American counties, about 2.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $636 a month. Property tax is 0.34% of home value, roughly $444 a year on that median home, lower than 97% of American counties. 74% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.8 per 1,000 residents, higher than 91% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 30 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 72.6 years, shorter than 83% of American counties. There are 57 active physicians in the county, about 8.0 per 10,000 people. 14.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.69 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 80% of American counties. 78% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 70 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 59% of eligible voters turned out. Under Alabama law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 60°F, highs near 70 and lows near 49, warmer than 67% of American counties. About 52 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 69 out of 100, riskier than 70% of American counties; the county has had 34 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 250 Mbps down, faster than 74% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 National Park Service site.