Your life in DeKalb County, Tennessee

What stands out

Against every county in America, DeKalb County is unusual in three ways: the overdose death rate is in the top 2% of American counties (57 per 100,000), the property tax rate is in the bottom 5% of American counties (0.39%), and rainfall is in the top 7% of American counties (55 inches a year). Within Tennessee it ranks 7th of 95 counties for the overdose death rate.

Where you are

You live in DeKalb County, Tennessee. 20,209 people live here with you. The population grew 1.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +292).

Tennessee has no income tax on wages, and its tax on interest and dividends was fully repealed in 2021. It has one of the highest combined sales-tax rates in the country and taxes groceries at a reduced rate. Nashville and the surrounding counties have had a decade of rapid growth and price increases; the rest of the state remains inexpensive. There is no estate or inheritance tax.

Money

The typical household here brings in $46,907 a year, lower than 85% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $48,873. Unemployment runs 3.8%, higher than 62% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 27 minutes each way.

Tennessee has no state income tax, so none of that goes to the state.

Home

The median home costs $303K, pricier than 70% of American counties, about 3.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $809 a month. Property tax is 0.39% of home value, roughly $706 a year on that median home, lower than 95% of American counties. 69% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.7 per 1,000 residents, higher than 90% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 57 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 71.2 years, shorter than 92% of American counties. There are 10 active physicians in the county, about 4.9 per 10,000 people. 13.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.77 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 87% of American counties. 81% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 60 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 57% of eligible voters turned out. Under Tennessee law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 59°F, highs near 70 and lows near 48, warmer than 65% of American counties. About 55 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 32 out of 100, safer than 68% of American counties; the county has had 20 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 208 Mbps down, faster than 54% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.

Where these numbers come from

• BLS QCEW 2024
• CDC 2024
• CMS 2024
• Census 2023
• Census ACS
• Census ACS 2022
• Census Population Estimates 2023
• Census SAHIE 2024
• County Health Rankings 2024
• Derived from ACS 2022 home value / household income
• FAA Airport Database
• FEMA Disaster Declarations 1953–2026
• FEMA National Risk Index 2023 (0–100, all hazards)
• HRSA Area Health Resources File 2023
• IMLS
• NOAA Climate Normals
• National Park Service
• Ookla Speedtest Intelligence
• Open Brewery DB
• OpenElections 2024
• SEDA via County Health Rankings 2024 (3.0 = at grade level; not a Z-score)
• Tax Foundation 2023
• USDA Food Environment Atlas
• Zillow ZHVI 2024
• Tennessee tax and law data: state revenue department, Tax Foundation, Giffords, Guttmacher (2026)

Percentiles compare this county with every other county that reports the same figure. Missing figures are left out rather than guessed. Share this page: the address is permanent.