Metro Mosaic Presents: DeKalb County
Metro Mosaic dives into the vibrant stories, histories, and communities of the 11 counties recognized by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) as the core of metro Atlanta: Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale. This 11 month long series uncovers the unique essence of each area, starting with DeKalb County—the foundational county of metro Atlanta, as it originally encompassed the land where Atlanta developed before Fulton County’s creation in 1854. It is only right that we start this series by starting with the foundation of the metro Atlanta community… DeKalb County.
DeKalb’s Founding and History
DeKalb County was established on December 9, 1822, by an act of the Georgia Legislature, carved from portions of Fayette, Gwinnett, and Henry counties following the Creek cession of land via the 1821 Indian Springs Treaty. Named after Baron Johann de Kalb, a German major general who fought for the American colonies in the Revolutionary War and died as a British prisoner after the Battle of Camden in 1780, the county was settled by pioneers from Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina on 202.5-acre land lots. Interesting tidbits include its position on the Continental Divide ridge between Atlanta and Athens, early militia districts like the Diamond District, and post-WWII suburban boom fueled by the 1947 General Motors plant in Doraville, transforming farmland into housing.
Notable Celebrities
DeKalb has produced stars like R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe and Indigo Girls’ Amy Ray from Decatur, singer Keri Hilson who attended Emory University, comedian Chris Tucker, TV host Ryan Seacrest from Dunwoody, and actor Gale Harold. Others include rapper Future, actor Donald Glover (Childish Gambino), supermodel Cindy Crawford, and actress Jan Hooks of Saturday Night Live fame.
Key Attractions
Popular points of interest include Stone Mountain Park, Georgia’s most-visited attraction with its massive quartz monzonite dome, laser shows, and family activities on 3,200 acres; Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area for hiking ancient granite outcrops; Fernbank Museum with dinosaur exhibits; and the Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University. Additional draws are the DeKalb History Center in Decatur’s historic courthouse, the Waffle House Museum, and the bustling Your DeKalb Farmers Market.
DeKalb Today
Today, DeKalb County boasts a population of around 762,000, making it Georgia’s fourth most populous, with a diverse makeup—over 51% Black, 30% White, and 6% Asian—and a median household income of $77,683. Notably, during the 1990s and 2000s, DeKalb earned recognition as the most affluent Black-majority county in the U.S., driven by professional growth, corporate presence, and suburban appeal. It serves as a hub for young professionals and businesses, hosting operations from Fortune 500 firms like Emory Healthcare, UPS, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, blending suburban charm, urban access, and cultural vibrancy.
Join Us This Month
Buckle up for January’s Metro Mosaic deep dive into DeKalb County—profiles and interviews with business owners, community leaders, government bigwigs, and more. We may tend to show a little favoritism (hey, DeKalb’s home to Art, Trade & Lifestyle, parent company of A.T.L. N.E.W.S.— guilty as charged!). Either way, we hope you enjoy the ride and welcome you to DeKalb County… Where it all began.
