DeKalb, Texas
DeKalb is a small town in Bowie County, Texas, in East Texas, about 33 miles west of Texarkana as the crow flies, with a population of about 1,426.
Bowie
County
1,426
Population
East Texas
Region
1.4 sq mi
Land Area
33 mi
straight line to Texarkana
Updated October 2026 · Population: U.S. Census Bureau estimate for July 1, 2024. Land area and coordinates: U.S. Census Bureau. · DeKalb on Wikipedia
DeKalb City Limits
The official city boundary and the major highways through DeKalb.
Major roads: US Hwy 82
Boundary & roads: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line).
DeKalb from our research
What we've verified about DeKalb, one line per topic. Each links to the full page and its sources.
- History
- An 1830s settlement named (by legend) by David Crockett for Baron de Kalb, Bowie County's first seat, and a cotton-and-tomato railroad town. Details →
- Dining
- 10 verified places to eat and drink; most common: Coffee, Sweets & Bakery · Mexican & Tex-Mex · Burgers & American; 1 has a full bar. Details → Source: Texas Comptroller sales-tax permit records, checked place by place
- Schools
- 9 public schools within 12 miles, across 5 districts and charters, mainly Dekalb ISD, New Boston ISD and Hubbard ISD. Details → Source: Texas Education Agency AskTED directory — open campuses, enrollment as of Oct 2025
- Utilities
- SWEPCO electricity (regulated, no plan shopping), CenterPoint gas, City of De Kalb water, Waste Management trash, and internet in Bowie County. Details →
- Outdoors
- Nearest state parks: Atlanta (29 mi), Daingerfield (34 mi), Lake Bob Sandlin (42 mi). Nearest lakes: Wright Patman Lake (22 mi). Details → Source: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department — park locations
- Contractors
- 2 licensed electricians serve DeKalb. Details → Source: TDLR license records, checked business by business
FAQ: DeKalb, Texas
Bowie County. The U.S. Census Bureau's 2020 place-by-county list places all of DeKalb in Bowie County.
East Texas guides
Region-wide guides that put DeKalb in context — where to go, what things cost, and how people actually live here.
Moving to East Texas: What You Need to Know
Thinking about moving to East Texas? A fact-checked guide to healthcare, schools, getting around, weather, and daily life in Tyler, Jacksonville, and the towns around them.
Read Guide →Things to Do in East Texas
What to do in East Texas, checked against official sources: Tyler's Rose Garden and Caldwell Zoo, Canton's First Monday Trade Days, the Texas State Railroad, state parks, museums and festivals.
Read Guide →Cost of Living in East Texas
What it costs to live in East Texas, using Census figures: home values and rents in Tyler, Jacksonville and Athens compared with Texas and the big metros, plus taxes, utilities, healthcare and driving.
Read Guide →Retiring in East Texas: Why Retirees Love It Here
Retiring in East Texas: Tyler's trauma-designated hospitals, Texas 65+ school-tax exemptions, lake towns like Gun Barrel City and Hideaway, and sourced drive times and weather.
Read Guide →Business Owner?
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