Georgia

DeKalb

764,382
2020 population
1830
first census record
20
census records

About DeKalb

DeKalb, Georgia, first appears in the United States federal census in 1830, when it recorded a population of 10,042. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 764,382.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 8 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Decatur Georgia July 1864, Battle of Atlanta — Cheatham's Frontal Assault on DeGress Battery, Battle of Atlanta — Leggett's Hill (Bald Hill) Defense.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
2020764,382
2010691,893
2000665,865
1990545,837
1980483,024
1970415,387
1960256,782
1950136,395
194086,942
193070,278
192044,051
191027,881
190021,112
189017,189
188014,497
187010,014
18607,806
185014,328
184010,467
183010,042
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in DeKalb

Military engagements that took place in DeKalb, Georgia.

Decatur Georgia July 1864
1864
Battle of Atlanta — Cheatham's Frontal Assault on DeGress Battery
1864
Battle of Atlanta — Leggett's Hill (Bald Hill) Defense
1864
Skirmish at Flat Rock Bridge
1864
Battle of Atlanta – Death of McPherson and Bald Hill
1864
Battle of Decatur (Georgia 1864)
1864
Battle of Atlanta — Hardee's Night March and Blair's Left Flank
1864
Battle of Atlanta (July 22)
1864

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Everything a full report reveals about DeKalb County, Georgia

This page charts the census history of DeKalb County, Georgia. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about DeKalb

When does DeKalb first appear in the US census?
DeKalb, Georgia first appears in the federal census in 1830, with a recorded population of 10,042.
What is the population of DeKalb?
At the most recent federal census (2020), DeKalb had a recorded population of 764,382.
Were any battles fought in DeKalb?
8 documented military engagements took place in DeKalb, including Decatur Georgia July 1864, Battle of Atlanta — Cheatham's Frontal Assault on DeGress Battery, Battle of Atlanta — Leggett's Hill (Bald Hill) Defense.
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