DeKalb
Indiana

What stands out

Against every county in America, DeKalb County is unusual in three ways: homeownership is in the top 12% of American counties (82%), winter sunshine is in the bottom 13% of American counties (-0.9 on the USDA scale), and the share working from home is in the bottom 14% of American counties (4%). Within Indiana it ranks 12th of 92 counties for homeownership.

Where you are

You live in DeKalb County, Indiana. 43,312 people live here with you. The population grew 0.9% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +305).

Indiana has a flat income tax just under 3% and most counties add their own income tax on top, typically 1% to 2.5%. Property taxes are capped by the state constitution at 1% of assessed value for homesteads. Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and the Chicago suburbs in Lake County account for most of the growth; the rest of the state is affordable and slow-changing.

Money

The typical household here brings in $68,110 a year, higher than 70% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $62,916. Unemployment runs 2.6%, lower than 78% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 20 minutes each way.

Indiana takes 3.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,009 a year.

Home

The median home costs $255K, pricier than 57% of American counties, about 1.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $808 a month. Property tax is 0.68% of home value, roughly $1,070 a year on that median home, lower than 68% of American counties. 82% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 58% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 15 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 75.9 years, longer than 51% of American counties. There are 40 active physicians in the county, about 9.2 per 10,000 people. 8.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.03 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 69% of American counties. 91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 49 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 60% of eligible voters turned out. Under Indiana law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 50°F, highs near 60 and lows near 40, colder than 75% of American counties. About 31 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 42 out of 100, safer than 58% of American counties; the county has had 15 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 176 Mbps down, slower than 60% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 5 museums.