Eviction Risk Score
Elevated
#33
of 95 TN counties
2.7 / 10
#33 of 95 counties in Tennessee for landlord eviction risk.
County brief·Updated June 2, 2026
DeKalb County, Tennessee Eviction Risk: Low
4 incorporated cities and unincorporated areas. The county Eviction Risk Score is held aloft by the city of Smithville (2.9) and a small number of dense urban cores. Rent-control coverage varies by city.
County Risk Score2.7/ 10 · Low
Cities tracked4municipalities
Census tracts5scored
Population7kLiving in 4 cities
Income spent on rent35.1%avg renter household
Average rent$733/ month
How DeKalb County ranks in Tennessee
Cost of living
Low
#38
of 51 states (statewide)
91.9 index
Tennessee ranks #38 of 51 states on overall cost of living (8.1% cheaper than the U.S. avg).
Housing services cost
Low
#33
of 51 states (statewide)
79.1 index
Tennessee ranks #33 of 51 states on housing services (20.9% cheaper than the U.S. avg).
Income spent on rent
Very High
#1
of 95 TN counties
39.3% of income
#1 of 95 counties in Tennessee on % of income spent on rent.
Cities in DeKalb County
Sorted by Eviction Risk Score · highest first
| City↕ | Population↕ | Risk↕ | % income on rent↕ | Average rent↕ | Lean↕ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Smithville | 5,288 | 2.9 | 33.7% | $740 | Rep |
| 002 | Alexandria | 1,136 | 2.0 | 34.3% | $789 | Rep |
| 003 | Dowelltown | 434 | 2.7 | 51.0% | $695 | Rep |
| 004 | Liberty | 406 | 2.8 | 38.3% | $534 | Rep |
County heatmap
Local landlord context
One county, multiple regulatory regimes.
DeKalb County spans 4 cities serving approximately 7,264 residents. The average landlord eviction risk across the county is 2.7/10. The county voted Republican by 57.8 points in 2020.
Risk varies city-by-city. The table above shows exact scores, population, and average rent for every municipality. Click any city for the full sub-score breakdown, including local political climate, rent-control exposure, tenant organizing strength, and typical eviction cost and timeline.
Peer counties in Tennessee
Peer county
Sequatchie County eviction risk
2.8
/ 10 · Low
Pop. 7.7K
Peer county
Cocke County eviction risk
2.7
/ 10 · Low
Pop. 8.0K
Peer county
Grainger County eviction risk
2.6
/ 10 · Low
Pop. 7.9K
Peer county
Unicoi County eviction risk
2.8
/ 10 · Low
Pop. 11.0K
Where eviction risk concentrates in DeKalb County
Top cities by population
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about DeKalb County
Q1
How many renters live in DeKalb County?
Renter share is 42.6%, so approximately 3,092 of DeKalb County's 7,264 residents are renters.
Q2
What is the lowest-risk city in DeKalb County?
The lowest score in DeKalb County is 2/10. See the city grid above for the specific municipality.
Q3
What is the highest-risk city in DeKalb County?
The highest score in DeKalb County is 2.9/10. See the city grid above for the specific municipality.