DeKalb County, Alabama

DeKalb County
County
DeKalb County courthouse in Fort Payne
DeKalb County courthouse in Fort Payne
Map of Alabama highlighting DeKalb County
Location within the U.S. state of Alabama
Map of the United States highlighting Alabama
Alabama's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°27′26″N 85°48′24″W / 34.4572°N 85.8067°W / 34.4572; -85.8067
Country United States
State Alabama
FoundedJanuary 9, 1836
Named forJohan DeKalb
SeatFort Payne
Largest cityFort Payne
Area
 • Total779 sq mi (2,020 km2)
 • Land777 sq mi (2,010 km2)
 • Water1.6 sq mi (4 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total71,608
 • Density92/sq mi (35/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Websitewww.dekalbcountyal.us

DeKalb County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of 2020, 71,608 people lived there.[1] Its county seat is Fort Payne.

History

DeKalb County was formed on January 9, 1836. It was named for Major General Baron Johann de Kalb, a hero of the American Revolution.[2]

DeKalb County was the one time home of the famous Cherokee Sequoyah.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 779 square miles (2,020 km2), of which 777 square miles (2,010 km2) is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2) (0.2%) is water.[3]

Major highways

  • Interstate 59
  • U.S. Highway 11
  • State Route 35
  • State Route 68
  • State Route 75

Rail

  • Norfolk Southern Railway

Border counties

National protected area

  • Little River Canyon National Preserve (part)

Cities and towns

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "QuickFacts: DeKalb County, Alabama". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  2. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 103.
  3. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.

34°27′26″N 85°48′24″W / 34.45722°N 85.80667°W / 34.45722; -85.80667