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CITY · 1990 CENSUS

DeKalb

Illinois · 34,925 residents · 17.33 sq mi
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The short version

DeKalb has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $25,387. Population has declined 10% since 2000. 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 20%. Median home value is $78,700. At a median age of 22.8, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, well above the US average, yet household income trails the national figure — a profile common to graduate-student tracts and academic hubs.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $30,130
Younger
median age 22.8
US median: 33.0
More educated
39% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 20%
More affordable
home values down 18%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $93,722
Section 01

Population & growth

34,925
−10%vs 2000
vs 39,018 in 2000
1990 – 2025
2,015 / sq mi
−10%vs 2000
vs 2,251 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 221
22.8
−1%vs 2000
vs 23.1 in 2000
US average: 33.0
Population, 19902024
34K37K40K43K46K1990201020202024DeKalb
202440K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

$25,387
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $35,153 in 2000
US average: $30,130
1990 – 2024
$10,826
−33%vs 2000
vs $16,261 in 2000
US average: $14,340
24.4%
+3.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 21.3% in 2000
US average: 13.2%
Section 03

Housing

$78,700
−18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $126,400 in 2000
US average: $93,722
1990 – 2024
$436
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
vs $565 in 2000
US average: $450
42.5%
+0.6 ptsvs 2000
vs 41.9% in 2000
57.5% rent
3.1
−14%vs 2000
vs 3.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in DeKalb on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic75.6%(29,479)
Black9%(3,508)
Hispanic / Latino9%(3,527)
Asian4.6%(1,796)
Other0%
Diversity Score48.6%(18,964)
1990
White, non-Hispanic88.5%(30,897)
Black4.9%(1,711)
Hispanic / Latino3.9%(1,366)
Asian4.6%(1,593)
Other2.1%(724)
Diversity Score33.7%(11,753)
34
−31%vs 2000
vs 49 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

39.5%
+1.5 ptsvs 2000
vs 38.0% in 2000
US average: 20.3%
High school or higher
87.0%
−0.6 ptsvs 2000
vs 87.6% in 2000
US average: 75.2%
19.3%
+1.1 ptsvs 2000
vs 18.2% in 2000
US average: 7.1%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

15.9 min
−2%vs 2000
vs 16.3 min in 2000
US average: 21.9
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

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Frequently asked

How many people live in DeKalb, Illinois?

DeKalb, Illinois has about 34,925 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in DeKalb, Illinois?

The typical household in DeKalb, Illinois earns about $25,387 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is DeKalb, Illinois expensive?

In DeKalb, Illinois, the median home is worth about $78,700, and the typical rent is about $436 a month.

How educated are people in DeKalb, Illinois?

About 39.5% of adults age 25 and over in DeKalb, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in DeKalb, Illinois?

About 24.4% of people in DeKalb, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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