Workforce
DeKalb County’s workforce is built on top talent and supported by focused training programs and strong business resources. From high school initiatives to technical training and financial funding, our community fosters partnerships that build a brighter future for businesses and residents alike.
26,375
Employment
963
Unemployment
2.6%
Unemployment Rate
9,901
Underemployment
10,864
Labor Pool
Source: JobsEQ® 2025 Q2 and Alabama Department of Labor November 2024
Training & Development
DCEDA works closely with our existing industries to ensure they have the trained workers they need to thrive. DeKalb County is home to Northeast Alabama Community College, DeKalb County Schools, and Fort Payne City Schools. Northeast Alabama Community College now has a Workforce Skills Training Center equipped with the latest advanced manufacturing and industrial technology programs with adaptability to meet changing workforce demands. The DeKalb County Technology Center offers signature programs for K-12 students in DeKalb County Schools to prepare graduates to enter the workforce ready to perform for their employers. Fort Payne City Schools offers several career technical programs, including the BEAT Center which trains K-12 students in Building, Electrical Vehicle and Aviation Technology. Dual enrollment for area high school students is highly popular, allowing students to earn high school and college credit while working for local companies.
Additionally, the Fort Payne Career Center, Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT), the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce, the Rainsville Chamber of Commerce, the Henagar Chamber of Commerce, and numerous workforce partners collaborate to provide high-quality training and development opportunities for employers and employees.
High School Initiatives
Dream It Do It
If you can Dream It You can Do IT – Careers in Manufacturing. The National Association of Manufacturers developed this program through the Center for Workforce Success in order to be able to reach out to young adults, their parents, educators, their communities, and their policy-makers to change their minds about manufacturing’s future and its careers. The perfect job is out there for our emerging workforce. The DIDI Program is here to help.
Career Coaches
A grant received through the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development allowed Career Coaches to be placed at the five community colleges in Region 2 to assist the counselors at our local high schools in providing students in the 8th – 12th grade with career awareness programs. This is a tremendous program for our area with the students being able to learn about education requirements, career opportunities and taking part in career assessments to better prepare them for their future. The Career Coaches are going out into the industries to learn hands on what trade skills and education their jobs require.
Career Tech Camp
A Career Tech Camp for students in the 8th – 9th grades provides the students an opportunity to learn what career opportunities are available to them. The students rotate through the courses available at the DeKalb County Technology Center with hands on learning experiences and on-site visits with local business and industry. The last day of camp provides them a look at The Real World as they participated in this program that had them finding a job, learning about finance, purchasing a home and automobile through the daily living expenses that they will be facing as they go out on their own.
Unemployment Rate for Dekalb County, AL
Source: JobsEQ® Data as of Sep. 2025
Current Labor Force Information in Surrounding Counties
| County | Civilian Labor Force |
Unemployment |
Unemployment Rate |
| Jackson | 23,692 | 787 | 3.3% |
| Cherokee | 11,968 | 348 | 2.7% |
| Marshall | 46,997 | 1,294 | 2.6% |
| Etowah | 40,147 | 1,574 | 3.8% |
| Dade (GA) | 7,658 | 240 | 3.1% |
| Walker (GA) | 33,374 | 1,035 | 3.1% |
| Chattooga (GA) | 9,009 | 338 | 3.8% |
Source: Feb. 2024 Alabama Department of Labor & Sep 2025 Georgia Department of Labor, Workforce Statistics Division
Union Representation
Northeast Alabama is primarily a non-union, pro-business community. Alabama is a “Right to Work” State. In the past half century, there have only been three certification votes in DeKalb County. All three were resoundingly defeated.
Commuting Patterns
38.2% Live and Work in the County
37.1% Live in the County, but Work Elsewhere
24.7% Live Elsewhere, but Work in the County
|
Outflow Job Characteristics |
Count |
Share |
|
External Jobs Filled by Residents |
12,547 |
100.0% |
|
Workers Aged 29 or younger |
3,527 |
28.1% |
|
Workers Aged 30 to 54 |
6,283 |
50.1% |
|
Workers Aged 55 or older |
2,737 |
21.8% |
|
Workers Earning $1,250 per month or less |
2,137 |
17.0% |
|
Workers Earning $1,251 to $3,333 per month |
4,451 |
35.5% |
|
Workers Earning More than $3,333 per month |
5,959 |
47.5% |
|
Workers in the “Goods Producing” Industry Class |
3,503 |
27.9% |
|
Workers in the “Trade, Transportation, and Utilities” Industry Class |
2,942 |
23.4% |
|
Workers in the “All Other Services” Industry Class |
6,102 |
48.6% |
Source: 2022 U.S. Census Bureau, OnTheMap Application and LEHD Origin-Destination Employment Statistics in Partnership with the Alabama Department of Labor, Labor Market Information Division
Resources
There are resources available on local and state levels to ensure that our industries have access to the skills training needed for a quality workforce.
