Indiana

DeKalb

43,265
2020 population
1840
first census record
19
census records

About DeKalb

DeKalb, Indiana, first appears in the United States federal census in 1840, when it recorded a population of 1,968. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 43,265.

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

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202043,265
201042,223
200040,285
199035,324
198033,606
197030,837
196028,271
195026,023
194024,756
193024,911
192025,600
191025,054
190025,711
189024,307
188020,225
187017,167
186013,880
18508,251
18401,968
Source

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

Other counties in Indiana

Explore census history and historic records for more Indiana counties.

MarshallMartinMiamiMonroeMontgomeryMorganNewtonNobleOhioOrangeOwenParkePerryPikePorterPoseyPulaskiPutnamRandolphRipley
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about DeKalb County, Indiana

This page charts the census history of DeKalb County, Indiana. 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.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your DeKalb County, Indiana report
Or see a real report first

Explore Indiana records

Indianahistory ›Notable people from Indiana

Frequently asked about DeKalb

When does DeKalb first appear in the US census?
DeKalb, Indiana first appears in the federal census in 1840, with a recorded population of 1,968.
What is the population of DeKalb?
At the most recent federal census (2020), DeKalb had a recorded population of 43,265.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report