DeKalb city, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, DeKalb city, Illinois has a total population of 40,464, the 40th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $46,564, which is 43% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 43% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 10.6% is notably above the national average.
DeKalb city Quick Facts
How DeKalb city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 60 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
DeKalb city Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Cities Similar to DeKalb city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urbana city | 38,447 | $45,854 | $186,300 | 58.4% | 24.8% |
| Quincy city | 39,188 | $56,372 | $146,100 | 26.6% | 15.4% |
| Belleville city | 41,722 | $60,529 | $131,000 | 28.0% | 14.9% |
| Rock Island city | 36,758 | $57,292 | $118,400 | 22.4% | 20.9% |
| Moline city | 42,235 | $63,959 | $141,900 | 29.1% | 16.0% |
Population Overview
DeKalb city is a mid-sized community located in Illinois. The total population is 40,464. It ranks as the 40th most populous out of 1,445 cities and towns in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in DeKalb city is 25.4 years. This is 35% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in DeKalb city is $46,564. This is 43% lower than the state median of $81,702. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 41% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.7%. This is 119% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.7%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 10.6%. This is 83% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $202,900. Housing costs are 19% lower than the state median of $250,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 42.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% lower than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in DeKalb city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 18.4%.
Education
35.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% lower than the state rate of 37.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for DeKalb city, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of DeKalb city, Illinois?
DeKalb city, Illinois has a population of 40,464 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in DeKalb city, IL?
The median household income in DeKalb city is $46,564, which is 41% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in DeKalb city, IL?
The poverty rate in DeKalb city is 25.7%. This means approximately 9,362 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of DeKalb city, Illinois?
DeKalb city's population is 57.5% White, 15.1% Black, 18.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in DeKalb city, IL?
The median home value in DeKalb city is $202,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is DeKalb city, Illinois?
35.7% of adults (25+) in DeKalb city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.