DeKalb County, Georgia

DeKalb County, Georgia. Located in the Atlanta metropolitan area, DeKalb County is a suburban county that is home to Emory University, Georgia Perimeter College, and Agnes Scott College. The county is also the location of the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the Fernbank Forest, and the Stone Mountain Park. DeKalb County is bordered by Gwinnett County, Georgia to the northeast, Rockdale County, Georgia to the east, Henry County, Georgia to the southeast, Clayton County, Georgia to the south, and Fulton County, Georgia to the west and northwest.

Geography

DeKalb County's geography is characterized by the Piedmont Plateau and the Chattahoochee River basin. The county's terrain is generally hilly, with some areas of flat plains. The Stone Mountain is a prominent geological feature in the county, and is home to the Stone Mountain Park, which attracts millions of visitors each year, including those attending the Yellow Daisy Festival and the Stone Mountain Christmas celebration. The county is also home to the South River, the Yellow River, and the Tucker River, which flow into the Chattahoochee River and eventually into the Apalachicola River. DeKalb County's climate is humid subtropical, with mild winters and hot, humid summers, similar to that of Atlanta, Georgia, Macon, Georgia, and Savannah, Georgia.

History

DeKalb County was founded on December 9, 1822, from a portion of the Creek Nation and was named after Baron Johann de Kalb, a Bavarian-born American Revolutionary War hero who fought alongside George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette at the Battle of Camden. The county's early history was marked by the presence of the Creek Indians, who were forcibly removed from the area during the Trail of Tears and relocated to Indian Territory, now Oklahoma. The county was also home to several plantations, including the Decatur Plantation, which was owned by Stephen Decatur, a United States Navy officer who fought in the War of 1812 and the Barbary Wars. DeKalb County played a significant role in the American Civil War, with the Battle of Atlanta and the Battle of Jonesborough taking place in the county.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, DeKalb County's population was 764,382, with a racial makeup of 54.2% African American, 31.4% White American, 5.4% Asian American, and 0.5% Native American. The county's population is also diverse in terms of age, with 22.2% of the population under the age of 18 and 12.1% over the age of 65. DeKalb County is home to a large number of refugees from countries such as Somalia, Ethiopia, and Vietnam, who have settled in the county's cities, including Clarkston, Georgia, Decatur, Georgia, and Doraville, Georgia. The county is also home to a significant number of Hispanic and Latino Americans, including those from Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Cuba.

Government

DeKalb County is governed by a commissioner-CEO form of government, with a seven-member board of commissioners and a chief executive officer who serves as the county's administrator. The county is also home to several municipalities, including Decatur, Georgia, Dunwoody, Georgia, Brookhaven, Georgia, and Tucker, Georgia, each with its own mayor and city council. DeKalb County is represented in the Georgia General Assembly by several state representatives and state senators, including Jason Carter, Scott Holcomb, and Gloria Butler. The county is also represented in the United States Congress by Hank Johnson and Lucy McBath.

Economy

DeKalb County's economy is diverse, with major industries including healthcare, technology, and manufacturing. The county is home to several major hospitals, including Emory University Hospital, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, and DeKalb Medical Center. DeKalb County is also home to several major corporations, including Coca-Cola, UPS, and Home Depot, which have headquarters or major operations in the county. The county's economy is also driven by small businesses and entrepreneurs, with several incubators and accelerators located in the county, including the Advanced Technology Development Center and the Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute.

Education

DeKalb County is served by the DeKalb County School District, which operates several high schools, including Druid Hills High School, Lakeside High School, and Tucker High School. The county is also home to several private schools, including Marist School, Pace Academy, and The Paideia School. DeKalb County is home to several colleges and universities, including Emory University, Georgia Perimeter College, and Agnes Scott College, which offer a range of academic programs, including business, engineering, and arts and sciences. The county is also home to several vocational schools and technical colleges, including the DeKalb Technical College and the Georgia Institute of Technology.