COMPARING TWO PLACES
Waterman vs DeKalb
PLACE A
Waterman, Illinois
VS
PLACE B
DeKalb, Illinois
Waterman is 96% smaller than DeKalb. Waterman earns more, with a median household income $53,658 higher.
WATERMANDEKALBDIFFERENCE
Total population1,64040,467−96% vs DeKalb
Population density1,0952,335−1,240
Population growth-4.8%-8.1%+3.3 pts
Median age31.026.1+4.9
Male46.5%49.1%−2.5 pts
Female53.5%50.9%+2.5 pts
Foreign-born1.2%9.1%−7.9 pts
White, non-Hispanic80.8%56.4%+24.5 pts
Black2.1%13.8%−11.7 pts
Hispanic / Latino9.2%19.9%−10.7 pts
Asian0.3%4.0%−3.7 pts
Other7.7%5.9%+1.8 pts
Median household income$100,139$46,481+$53,658
Per capita income$41,311$27,086+$14,225
Poverty rate5.0%24.9%−19.9 pts
Income inequality (Gini)0.3130.498−0.2
Bachelor's degree or higher23.2%33.7%−10.5 pts
Graduate degree5.5%14.1%−8.6 pts
Unemployment rate4.1%10.2%−6.1 pts
Labor force participation78.5%68.0%+10.5 pts
Median home value$217,300$204,700+$12,600
Median gross rent$877$1,029−$152
Owner-occupied87.7%42.1%+45.5 pts
Housing vacancy rate4.5%5.8%−1.3 pts
Rent-burdened households18.3%62.0%−43.7 pts
Average commute39.023.8+15.3
Worked from home9.6%6.3%+3.3 pts
Public transit to work0.0%1.1%−1.1 pts
Uninsured5.4%7.2%−1.8 pts
Population, 1990 – 2025