DeKalb
Illinois

What stands out

Against every county in America, DeKalb County is unusual in two ways: the property tax rate is among the highest in America (2.62%) and homeownership is in the bottom 8% of American counties (60%). Within Illinois it ranks 2nd of 102 counties for the property tax rate.

Where you are

You live in DeKalb County, Illinois. 100,686 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -513).

Illinois exempts all retirement income from its flat 4.95% income tax: Social Security, pensions, 401(k) and IRA withdrawals are untaxed. It offsets that with the second-highest property taxes in the country and an estate tax that starts at $4 million, well below the federal threshold. Chicago and the collar counties hold two-thirds of the population; downstate is a different housing market.

Money

The typical household here brings in $68,617 a year, higher than 71% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $56,896. Unemployment runs 4.2%, higher than 76% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home.

Illinois takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,397 a year.

Home

The median home costs $298K, pricier than 69% of American counties, about 2.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,059 a month. Property tax is 2.62% of home value, roughly $5,732 a year on that median home, higher than almost every county in America. 60% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 73% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 10 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 77.8 years, longer than 73% of American counties. There are 87 active physicians in the county, about 8.6 per 10,000 people. 7.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.85 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 65% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 6 points. 61% of eligible voters turned out. Under Illinois law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 50°F, highs near 60 and lows near 40, colder than 74% of American counties. About 31 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 75 out of 100, riskier than 75% of American counties; the county has had 12 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 251 Mbps down, faster than 75% of American counties. There are 16 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery, 3 museums.