DeKalb

Formed December 2, 1837 (71^st county)

DeKalb County (20,078), Smithville (5,006)

The masonry Art Deco structure was built in 1970.  The courthouse is in Public Square surrounded by 3^rd, Main, 2^nd, and Walnut streets.  Tennessee State Highway 56 passes three blocks to the east.  This building was designed by Maffett-Howland and Associates.  The building features marble walls on the inside.  There was previously a 1925 courthouse in Smithville, the only county seat.  The county was formed on December 2, 1837 from parts of Franklin, Cannon, Jackson, and White counties as the 71^st county.  The county is named for Revolutionary War hero Baron Johann De Kalb.  Smithville is named for State Senator Samuel Granville Smith. 

DeKalb County government consists of a sheriff, a County Mayor, and 14 Commissioners.  Four Circuit Court Judge, One Chancery Court Judge, and One General Court Judge serve DeKalb, Clay, Cumberland, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, and White counties.  The county is located in the central part of the state.  Nashville, Tennessee is northwest and Chattanooga, Tennessee is southeast of the county.  The county center is 1.1 miles North-Northwest of Smithville.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Putnam, White, Warren, Cannon, Wilson, and Smith counties. 

The area of the county is 304 square miles.  It is 73 out of 95 in the state.  It ranks 65 out of 95 in population in the state.  It has a density of 66.0 persons per square mile making it 51 out of 95 in the state.  DeKalb County has 33.2% of its population in its incorporated areas.  United States Highway 70 crosses through the county from east to west from White County to Wilson County.  The county looks like a tower leaning northwest.  Smithville is located in the southeast quarter of the county.  Smithville is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 24.9% of the county population.  The county is pronounced DE KAB.

Smithville