DeKalb, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, DeKalb, Illinois had a total population of 40,443, the 41st largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $46,481, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 10.3% is notably above the national average.
DeKalb Quick Facts
How DeKalb Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,464 | 40,443 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $46,564 | $46,481 | -0.2% |
| Median home value | $202,900 | $204,700 | +0.9% |
How DeKalb Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
DeKalb Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in DeKalb County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sycamore | 18,559 | $84,120 | 8.1% | $265,700 |
| Genoa | 5,492 | $82,128 | 11.8% | $225,200 |
| Cortland | 4,564 | $73,971 | 7.0% | $233,200 |
| Hinckley | 2,331 | $86,823 | 10.0% | $291,700 |
| Kirkland | 1,525 | $94,338 | 6.8% | $191,600 |
| Waterman | 1,448 | $100,139 | 5.0% | $217,300 |
| Kingston | 1,352 | $88,295 | 7.0% | $241,700 |
| Malta | 1,274 | $80,625 | 24.0% | $180,300 |
| Shabbona | 572 | $63,750 | 13.5% | $186,600 |
Cities Similar to DeKalb
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urbana | 39,341 | $45,346 | $184,900 | 56.8% | 28.0% |
| Quincy | 39,109 | $56,480 | $153,200 | 27.8% | 16.7% |
| Belleville | 41,370 | $63,535 | $141,300 | 28.0% | 14.6% |
| Calumet City | 35,100 | $55,369 | $145,200 | 21.4% | 23.4% |
| Moline | 42,197 | $67,701 | $146,300 | 28.8% | 15.5% |
Population Overview
DeKalb is a mid-sized community located in Illinois, within DeKalb County. The total population is 40,443. It ranks as the 41st most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in DeKalb is 26.1 years. This is 33% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in DeKalb is $46,481. This is 44% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.9%. This is 111% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. 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 10.3%. This is 76% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $204,700. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 42.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in DeKalb is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 19.9%.
Education
33.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for DeKalb, Illinois is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of DeKalb, Illinois?
DeKalb, Illinois has a population of 40,443 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in DeKalb, IL?
The median household income in DeKalb is $46,481, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in DeKalb, IL?
The poverty rate in DeKalb is 24.9%. This means approximately 8,944 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of DeKalb, Illinois?
DeKalb's population is 56.4% White, 13.8% Black, 19.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in DeKalb, IL?
The median home value in DeKalb is $204,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is DeKalb, Illinois?
33.7% of adults (25+) in DeKalb hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.