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DeKalb County

Tennessee · Public K-12

DeKalb County operates 7 public K-12 schools inside Tennessee, with combined enrollment of approximately 3,644 (about 521 students per school). By level, that breaks down as 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 3 high schools.

7-year change in DeKalb County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
3,644
+603 (+20%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
6
+1 (+20%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
77%
was 83%
% Hispanic
13%
was 14%
% Black
7%
was 2%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
7
1 districts
Enrollment
3,644
NCES CCD
Median income
$53,153
Below Tennessee avg
Free/reduced lunch
·
Enrollment-weighted
Elementary
3
1,545 students
Middle
1
534 students
High
3
1,565 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
DeKalb County Public Schools
3,644 students · 1 district in DeKalb County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of DeKalb County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".

County residents
White
88%
Hispanic
8%
Black
2%
Asian
1%
Two or more
5%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
77%
Hispanic
13%
Black
7%
Asian
0%
Two or more
3%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
20.8%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
13.6%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.6%
civilian labor
Median age
42
21.7% under 18

Test scores in DeKalb County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 4 schools ranked. Tennessee state average: 40.9%.

See all 4 schools in DeKalb County ranked by score →

All schools (7)

LargestA-ZTop rated
NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
DeKalb County Schools Adult Education Virtual SchoolSmithvilleHigh09-12784·
De Kalb County High SchoolSmithvilleHigh09-12781·
Northside ElementarySmithvilleElementary02-05544·
Smithville ElementarySmithvilleElementaryPK-02535·
DeKalb Middle SchoolSmithvilleMiddle06-08534·
DeKalb West ElementaryLibertyElementaryPK-08466·
De Kalb County Adult High SchoolSmithvilleHigh10-120·

Cities in DeKalb County

Smithville6 schoolsLiberty1 school

About DeKalb County

DeKalb County is a thinly populated county of about 20,959 residents in Tennessee. Its public-school system hosts approximately 3,644 students across 7 schools.

Stepping back, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $53,153, 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the federal-poverty share is near 14%. That income level is 13% noticeably below the Tennessee median.

On the school-mix side, DeKalb County consists of 3 elementary schools (1,545 students), 1 middle school (534), and 3 high schools (1,565).

DeKalb County Public Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 3,644 students on its own.

Over the past 7-year window. Combined enrollment now sits at 3,644 students, increased 20% from the 3,041 reported in SY 2017-18. Over that span, DeKalb County gained 1 school, going from 5 to 6. The White share of public-school enrollment declined from 83% to 77%.

On this page, the community for DeKalb County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Members of the local community share what they see day-to-day.

Frequently asked questions

How many K-12 schools serve DeKalb County?
There are 7 public K-12 schools in DeKalb County, Tennessee, with a combined enrollment of about 3,644.
How many high schools are in DeKalb County?
DeKalb County, Tennessee has 3 public high schools, serving approximately 1,565 students.
How many middle schools are in DeKalb County?
DeKalb County, Tennessee has 1 public middle school, serving approximately 534 students.
How many elementary schools are in DeKalb County?
DeKalb County, Tennessee has 3 public elementary schools, serving approximately 1,545 students.
What is the largest school district in DeKalb County?
DeKalb County Public Schools is the largest school district in DeKalb County, serving approximately 3,644 students. The county contains 1 school district overall.
How many people live in DeKalb County?
DeKalb County has roughly 20,959 residents according to the latest Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What is the median household income in DeKalb County?
Median household income in DeKalb County is $53,153, below the Tennessee average of $61,364. About 13.6% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of DeKalb County?
Approximately 20.8% of adults 25 and older in DeKalb County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What is the racial makeup of DeKalb County?
DeKalb County residents are approximately 88% White, 8% Hispanic, 2% Black, 1% Asian, 5% two or more races according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of housing in DeKalb County is owner-occupied?
DeKalb County has about 10,155 housing units, of which roughly 72.6% are owner-occupied.
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data