DeKalb, Illinois
Among the top 12% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade F, better than 6% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade B+, better than 76% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade D, better than 10% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A, better than 88% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade B, better than 58% of US places
- bottom 2% for property tax rate
DeKalb is a mid-size city in Illinois with about 41,000 residents. It grades A for getting around and F for affordability. Standout strengths include comfortable days, walkability, and park & nature access. It rates lower on violent crime and property tax rate.
Official websitecityofdekalb.com (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm summers · Cold winters · Moderate rain · Snowy
freez.
v.cold
cold
cool
comf.
warm
cool
cold
v.cold
70%43%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.1 in1.8 in
humid 99%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$47k23rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$50kbetter than 31% of US places
Home Value$192k59th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$1kbetter than 40% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$2kbetter than 27% of US places
Property Tax Rate2.93%better than 2% of US places
Income Tax5.00%better than 47% of US places
Sales Tax8.86%better than 14% of US places
Estimated total tax burden19.79%better than 7% of US places
Unemployment10.7%better than 12% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)22°F14th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)72°F24th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation36.9 in35th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall33.1 inbetter than 29% of US places
Sunny Days245 daysbetter than 64% of US places
Summer Humidity63°Fbetter than 57% of US places
Comfortable Days94 daysbetter than 78% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk67.8better than 47% of US places
Air Quality51 AQIbetter than 18% of US places
School Quality74.9better than 71% of US places
Violent Crime3169/100kbetter than 2% of US places
Property Crime2584/100kbetter than 11% of US places
Community
Population40,69797th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age24.94th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.5488th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9953rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningEven25th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)59.5%23rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)14.5%87th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)16.1%82nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)4.7%90th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)5.1%72nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time23 minbetter than 72% of US places
Walkability8.3/20better than 77% of US places
Airport Distance43 mibetter than 73% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access89.8%better than 64% of US places
Amenities Nearby27.52better than 27% of US places
Park & Nature AccessExcellentbetter than 75% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is DeKalb an affordable place to live?
- DeKalb is relatively expensive. Its cost-of-living index is $50k, better than 31% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in DeKalb?
- The median home value in DeKalb is $192k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in DeKalb?
- Median household income in DeKalb is $47k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in DeKalb?
- Median gross rent in DeKalb is $1k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is DeKalb safe?
- DeKalb is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 3169/100k (better than 2%). Property crime is 2584/100k.
- What is the weather like in DeKalb?
- DeKalb averages 72°F in July and 22°F in January, with 36.9 in of annual precipitation and about 245 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in DeKalb?
- Public-school quality in DeKalb is above average, scoring better than 71% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in DeKalb?
- The average one-way commute in DeKalb is 23 min.
Places near DeKalb
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Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)