DeKalb County was formed in 1837 from land in Cannon, Warren and White counties. Historian believes that the first settlers in the county were at Liberty and came from Maryland in 1797. If so, Addison Puckett was the first settler. She may have come over the Cumberland Mountains, although some sources claim she came down the Ohio, up the Cumberland to Nashville, and then overland about 69 miles. DeKalb County was the site of several saltpeter mines, the main ingredient of gunpowder, and was obtained by leaching the earth from several local caves. Overall Cave was named for Abraham Overall who moved from Luray, Virginia, and settled near the present site of Liberty in 1805. He reportedly had many slaves and owned a large plantation on which Overall Cave is located. Two saltpeter leaching vats in the cave may date from the War of 1812, although this area was mined again during the Civil War. Other caves in DeKalb County that were mined for saltpeter include Avant Cave, located near Dowelltown, Indian Grave Point Cave, located in the Dry Creek Valley, and Temperance Saltpeter Cave, located near Temperance Hall.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water.
As of the census of 2000, there were 17,423 people, 6,984 households, and 4,986 families residing in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile. There were 8,409 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was 95.58% White, 1.43% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.62% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. 3.63% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 6,984 households out of which 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.10% were married couplesliving together, 11.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.90. In the county, the population was spread out with 23.30% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 29.30% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.90 males. The median income for a household in the county was $30,359, and the median income for a family was $36,920. Males had a median income of $29,483 versus $20,953 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,217. About 11.80% of families and 17.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.00% of those under age 18 and 20.10% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
City
Smithville
Towns
Alexandria
Dowelltown
Liberty
Unincorporated communities
Belk
Midway
Temperance Hall
Politics
DeKalb County, along with most rural counties in the South, is a Republican Stronghold. The Last democrat to carry this county was Al Gore in 2000.
