DeKalb County, Tennessee

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DeKalb County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of Tennessee Location within the U.S. state of Tennessee
Tennessee's location within the U.S.
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Tennessee
Founded	1837
Named for	Johann de Kalb
Seat	Smithville
Largest city	Smithville
Area
• Total	329 sq mi (850 km2)
• Land	304 sq mi (790 km2)
• Water	25 sq mi (60 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	20,080
• Density	66/sq mi (25/km2)
Website	[[1] www.dekalbtennessee.com/%20DeKalb%20County]]

DeKalb County is a county located in the state of Tennessee, in the United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 20,080. Its county seat is Smithville. The county was created in 1837 and named after Johann de Kalb, a German baron who fought for the United States during the American Revolutionary War.

History

DeKalb County was established in 1837 from land that was part of Cannon, Jackson, and Warren counties. The county was named in honor of Johann de Kalb, a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 329 square miles (850 km²), of which 304 square miles (790 km²) is land and 25 square miles (65 km²) (7.6%) is water. The county is part of the Cumberland Plateau and features a mix of rolling hills and flatlands.

Adjacent counties

• Putnam County (northeast)
• White County (east)
• Warren County (south)
• Cannon County (southwest)
• Wilson County (west)
• Smith County (northwest)

Major highways

• U.S. Route 70
• Tennessee State Route 56
• Tennessee State Route 83

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 20,080 people, 7,800 households, and 5,500 families residing in the county. The population density was 66 people per square mile (25/km²). The racial makeup of the county was predominantly White, with small percentages of African American, Native American, Asian, and other races.

Communities

City

• Smithville (county seat)

Town

• Alexandria

Unincorporated communities

• Dowelltown
• Liberty

Education

DeKalb County is served by the DeKalb County School District, which includes several elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school.

Points of interest

• Center Hill Lake
• Edgar Evins State Park
• Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree and Crafts Festival

Notable people

• J. B. Stoner, segregationist and white supremacist
• Aaron Tippin, country music artist

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in DeKalb County, Tennessee
• List of counties in Tennessee

External links

• DeKalb County official website