DeKalb County, IL

County

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    2024 Population
    100,703
    US Senator
    Dick Durbin
    Democratic Party
    US Senator
    Tammy Duckworth
    Democratic Party
    2024 Median Age
    32.7
    0.307% 1-year increase
    2024 Poverty Rate
    14.8%
    7.01% 1-year decrease
    2024 Median Household Income
    $70,724
    2.47% 1-year growth
    2024 Median Property Value
    $243,600
    5.05% 1-year growth
    2024 Employed Population
    51,880
    0.25% 1-year decline

    About

    None of the households in DeKalb County, IL reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

    96.5% of the residents in DeKalb County, IL are U.S. citizens.

    The largest universities in DeKalb County, IL are Northern Illinois University (4,054 degrees awarded in 2024), Kishwaukee College (714 degrees), and Debutantes School of Cosmetology and Nail Technology (29 degrees).

    In 2024, the median property value in DeKalb County, IL was $243,600, and the homeownership rate was 61.4%.

    Most people in DeKalb County, IL drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 26.7 minutes. The average car ownership in DeKalb County, IL was 2 cars per household.

    United StatesIllinoisChicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI

    Population & Diversity

    DeKalb County, IL is home to a population of 101k people, from which 96.5% are citizens. As of 2024, 6.43% of DeKalb County, IL residents were born outside of the country (6.48k people).

    In 2024, there were 10.5 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (71.5k people) in DeKalb County, IL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 6.81k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 4.87k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    Population & Diversity

    Citizenship

    96.5%
    2024 Citizenship
    96.8%
    2023 Citizenship

    As of 2024, 96.5% of DeKalb County, IL residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in DeKalb County, IL was 96.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

    The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in DeKalb County, IL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Diversity

    Race and Ethnicity

    The 3 largest ethnic groups in DeKalb County, IL
    1. White (Non-Hispanic)
      71.5k ± 341
    2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
      6.81k ± 544
    3. Other (Hispanic)
      4.87k ± 747
    14.5%
    Hispanic Population
    14.6k people

    In 2024, there were 10.5 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (71.5k people) in DeKalb County, IL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 6.81k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 4.87k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    14.5% of the people in DeKalb County, IL are hispanic (14.6k people).

    The following chart shows the 8 races represented in DeKalb County, IL as a share of the total population.

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    Global Diversity

    The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Illinois.
    Most Common Origin
    1. Mexico
      637,284 ± 19,101 people
    2. India
      166,788 ± 9,961 people
    3. Poland
      117,148 ± 8,364 people

    In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Illinois was Mexico, the natal country of 637,284 Illinois residents, followed by India with 166,788 and Poland with 117,148.

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    Foreign-Born Population

    6.43%
    2024 Foreign-Born Population
    6.48k people
    6.4%
    2023 Foreign-Born Population
    6.44k people

    As of 2024, 6.43% of DeKalb County, IL residents (6.48k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in DeKalb County, IL was 6.4%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

    The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in DeKalb County, IL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Military

    Veterans

    Most Common Service Period
    1. Vietnam
      1,292 ± 247
    2. Gulf War (2001-)
      1,087 ± 276
    3. Gulf War (1990s)
      512 ± 146

    DeKalb County, IL has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.19 times greater than any other conflict.

    The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in DeKalb County, IL.

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    Health

    94.9% of the population of DeKalb County, IL has health coverage, with 53.3% on employee plans, 18.5% on Medicaid, 10.7% on Medicare, 11.6% on non-group plans, and 0.66% on military or VA plans.

    Primary care physicians in DeKalb County, IL see 3,719 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (3,719 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1474 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 228 patients per year.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.9% were men and 50.1% were women.

    Coverage

    Patient to Clinician Ratios

    3,719 to 1
    Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in DeKalb County, IL

    Primary care physicians in DeKalb County, IL see an average of 3,719 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (3,719 patients).

    The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in DeKalb County, IL in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

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    Health Care Diversity

    In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24% under 18 years, 29.5% between 18 and 34 years, 33% between 35 and 64 years, and 13.4% over 64 years.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.9% were men and 50.1% were women.

    The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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    Uninsured People

    5.12%
    Uninsured
    53.3%
    Employer Coverage
    18.5%
    Medicaid
    10.7%
    Medicare
    11.6%
    Non-Group
    0.66%
    Military or VA

    Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in DeKalb County, IL grew by 7.33% from 4.77% to 5.12%.

    The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in DeKalb County, IL changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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    Health Indicators

    Health Outcomes

    Indicator

    In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 5.32 in DeKalb County, IL.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in DeKalb County, IL.

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    Health Behaviors

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 35.7% in DeKalb County, IL.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in DeKalb County, IL.

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    Clinical Care

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 6.39% in DeKalb County, IL.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in DeKalb County, IL.

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    Economy

    The economy of DeKalb County, IL employs 51.9k people. In 2024, the largest industries in DeKalb County, IL were Health Care & Social Assistance (7,011 people), Educational Services (6,637 people), and Manufacturing (6,196 people), and the highest paying industries were Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($107,232), Utilities ($88,194), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($71,359).

    Employment

    Occupations

    51.9k
    2024 Value
    ± 1,913
    −0.25%
    1 Year decline
    ± 5.3%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in DeKalb County, IL declined at a rate of −0.25%, from 52k employees to 51.9k employees.

    The most common job groups, by number of people living in DeKalb County, IL, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (6,241 people), Sales & Related Occupations (4,393 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (4,184 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of DeKalb County, IL.

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    Unemployment Insurance Claims

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Illinois.

    This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Illinois (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

    The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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    Industries

    Employment by Industries

    51.9k
    2024 Value
    ± 1,913
    −0.25%
    1 Year decline
    ± 5.3%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in DeKalb County, IL declined at a rate of −0.25%, from 52k employees to 51.9k employees.

    The most common employment sectors for those who live in DeKalb County, IL, are Health Care & Social Assistance (7,011 people), Educational Services (6,637 people), and Manufacturing (6,196 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of DeKalb County, IL, though some of these residents may live in DeKalb County, IL and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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    Median Earnings by Industry

    $50,600
    Median earning men ± $1,810
    $33,213
    Median earning women ± $1,682

    The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($87,852), Public Administration ($82,500), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($65,709).

    The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($51,641), Wholesale Trade ($49,792), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($45,377).

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    Employment by Industry Sector

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Illinois.
    Y-Axis
    2.47%
    Year-over-year growth
    Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

    As of February 2023, there are 6.03M people employed in Illinois. This represents a 2.47% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

    Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 13%.

    The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Illinois.

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    Establishments by Size

    The industries with the most establishments
    1. 161
      Other Services (except Public Administration)
    2. 157
      Construction
    3. 102
      Retail Trade

    The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

    The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

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    Payroll by Industry Sector

    The industries with the highest total annual payroll
    1. $252k
      Manufacturing
    2. $246k
      Health Care and Social Assistance
    3. $171k
      Transportation and Warehousing

    The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

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    Civics

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Illinois went to Kamala Harris with 54.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (43.5%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.43%).

    Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth are the senators currently representing the state of Illinois. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    Illinois is currently represented by 17 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

    Presidential Elections

    Voting results are not available for DeKalb County, IL. Showing the available data for Illinois.
    2024 Election Results
    1. Kamala Harris (54.4%)
      Democratic Party
    2. Donald J. Trump (43.5%)
      Republican Party
    3. Robert Kennedy (1.43%)
      Independent Party

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Illinois went to Kamala Harris with 54.4% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (43.5%), followed by Robert Kennedy (1.43%).

    The following chart shows the popular vote results in Illinois for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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    Senator Elections

    US Senators from Illinois

    Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Illinois.
    Dick Durbin
    Senator from Illinois2
    Assumed office on January 3, 1997
    Tammy Duckworth
    Senator from Illinois3
    Assumed office on January 3, 2017

    Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth are the senators currently representing Illinois.

    In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    The following chart shows elected senators in Illinois over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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    Education

    In 2024, universities in DeKalb County, IL awarded 4,819 degrees. The student population of DeKalb County, IL in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 8,142 male students and 10,395 female students.

    Most students graduating from Universities in DeKalb County, IL are White (2,503 and 57.6%), Hispanic or Latino (904 and 20.8%), Black or African American (491 and 11.3%), and Asian (290 and 6.68%).

    The largest universities in DeKalb County, IL by number of degrees awarded are Northern Illinois University (4,054 and 84.1%), Kishwaukee College (714 and 14.8%), and Debutantes School of Cosmetology and Nail Technology (29 and 0.602%).

    The most popular majors in DeKalb County, IL are Liberal Arts & Sciences (294 and 6.1%), General Psychology (246 and 5.1%), and Computer Science (233 and 4.84%).

    The median tuition cost for a public four year colleges is $10,232 for in-state students and $10,232 for out-of-state students.

    Admissions & Enrollments

    Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

    University
    Measure

    In 2024 in DeKalb County, IL, the percentage of applicants admitted was 69.8%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 12.1%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 18,537 (43.9% men and 56.1% women).

    The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

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    Enrollments by Gender and Races

    Universities

    In 2024 there were 18,537 students enrolled in DeKalb County, IL, 43.9% men and 56.1% women.

    By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 8,413 records, of which 55.3% were women and 44.7% men.

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    Completions

    Concentrations

    Most Common
    1. General Psychology
      214 degrees awarded
    2. Registered Nursing
      124 degrees awarded
    3. Computer Science
      122 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in DeKalb County, IL was General Psychology with 214 degrees awarded.

    This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in DeKalb County, IL according to their major.

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    Universities

    Gender
    Race
    Largest Universities by degrees awarded
    1. Northern Illinois University
      4,054 degrees awarded
    2. Kishwaukee College
      714 degrees awarded
    3. Debutantes School of Cosmetology and Nail Technology
      29 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Northern Illinois University with 4,054 degrees awarded.

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    Student Diversity

    University

    In 2024, 2,230 men were awarded degrees from institutions in DeKalb County, IL, which is 0.861 times less than the 2,589 female students who received degrees in the same year.

    In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 2,503 degrees mean that there were 2.77 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 904 degrees awarded.

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    Awarded Degrees over Time

    The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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    Tuition

    Average Net Price by Sector

    Universities

    Public, 4-year or above ($10,232) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

    Public, 4-year or above ($2,828) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

    Public, 4-year or above ($1,300) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

    The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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    Housing & Living

    The median property value in DeKalb County, IL was $243,600 in 2024, which is 0.732 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $231,900 to $243,600, a 5.05% increase. The homeownership rate in DeKalb County, IL is 61.4%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

    People in DeKalb County, IL have an average commute time of 26.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in DeKalb County, IL is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

    In 2025, 15.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in DeKalb County, IL. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 4.08%.

    Housing

    Property

    $243,600
    Median Property Value 2024
    ±$5,310
    $24,280
    Median Property Taxes
    ±$918

    The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In DeKalb County, IL the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

    The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in DeKalb County, IL compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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    Rent vs Own

    61.4%
    Homeownership
    2024
    62.9%
    Homeowners with Mortgage
    2024

    In 2024, 61.4% of the housing units in DeKalb County, IL were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 60.9%.

    This chart shows the percentage of owner in DeKalb County, IL compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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    Equity

    Household Income

    Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
    $70,724
    Median Household Income
    ± $2,546
    39.6k
    Number of Households
    ± 1,650

    In 2024, the median household income of the 39.6k households in DeKalb County, IL grew to $70,724 from the previous year's value of $69,022.

    The following chart displays the households in DeKalb County, IL distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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    Wage Distribution

    The closest comparable wage GINI for DeKalb County, IL is from Illinois.
    0.471
    2024 Wage GINI in Illinois
    0.474
    2023 Wage GINI in Illinois

    In 2024, the income inequality in Illinois was 0.471 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.55% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Illinois was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Illinois in comparison to the national average.

    This chart shows the number of workers in Illinois across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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    Transportation

    Commuter Transportation

    Most Common Commute in 2024
    1. Drove Alone (74.8%)
    2. Carpooled (9.58%)
    3. Worked At Home (9.33%)

    In 2024, 74.8% of workers in DeKalb County, IL drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.58%) and those who worked at home (9.33%).

    The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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    Commute Time

    26.7 minutes
    Average Travel Time

    Using averages, employees in DeKalb County, IL have a longer commute time (26.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.78% of the workforce in DeKalb County, IL have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

    The chart below shows how the median household income in DeKalb County, IL compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Car Ownership

    2 cars
    Average Number

    The following chart displays the households in DeKalb County, IL distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in DeKalb County, IL have 2 cars.

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    Poverty

    Severe Housing Problems

    In 2025, 15.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in DeKalb County, IL. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 4.08%.

    The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

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    Poverty & Diversity

    14.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in DeKalb County, IL (14.2k out of 95.8k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

    The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in DeKalb County, IL is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

    The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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    Children in Poverty

    In 2025, 13% of the children was living in poverty in DeKalb County, IL. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 3.1%.

    The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

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    Security

    Crimes & Accidents

    Indicator

    In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 276 in DeKalb County, IL. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 44.9% per 100,000 population.

    The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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