DeKalb Grows Slower Than Other Metro Atlanta Counties

While DeKalb County as a whole remains one of Georgia’s most populous counties, with 691,893 residents, its population grew at a much smaller rate than its metro Atlanta counterparts.

DeKalb’s population increased 3.9 percent from 2000. This was slower than other metro Atlanta counties, including Fulton (816,006 in 2000 to 920,581 in 2010, growth of 12.8 percent); Gwinnett (558,448 in 2000 to 805,321 in 2010, a growth of 36.9 percent); and Cobb (607,751 in 2000 to 688,078 in 2010, a growth of 13.2 percent).

In Druid Hills’ neighboring municipality of Decatur, more than 1,100 people moved into the city over the last 10 years. Decatur’s population increased from 18,147 in 2000 to 19,335 in 2010, an increase of 1,188 people.

DeKalb remains predominantly African-American, according to the new Census figures, with 375,725 blacks residing in the county. A total of 230,156 whites live in DeKalb, while 67,824 Latinos and 35,426 residents of Asian heritage are identified.

Georgia’s largest county is Fulton, with a population of 920,581. The other top metro Atlanta counties are Gwinnett, with a population of 805,321 (increase of 36.9 percent); and Cobb, 688,078 (increase of 13.2 percent).