Dekalb County Public RecordsIllinois

As of the 2020 Census, DeKalb County, IL had a population of approximately 100,420. The median age is 30.1 years. The population is 51% female and 49% male. Racially, DeKalb County is 71.5% White, 10.5% Black or African American, 3.1% Asian, and 11.4% Hispanic or Latino. About 2.6% identify as two or more races. This diverse county also includes small proportions of other racial and ethnic groups.

DeKalb County, IL, has over 62,000 registered voters as of 2024. Elections include general, primary, consolidated, and referenda; in the 2020 presidential election, turnout was about 73%. The County Clerk’s office administers elections with 19 regular polling locations across municipalities like DeKalb and Sycamore. Major parties are Democratic and Republican, with local issues frequently including school funding and infrastructure improvements. In 2022, Democrats won 54% of the county vote in the gubernatorial race. Voter registration, polling locations, and real-time results are available through the DeKalb County Clerk’s website.

DeKalb County, IL, hosts 9 public high schools and Northern Illinois University, with 32% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. High schools have an average graduation rate of 89% and a composite ACT score of 20.8. School safety measures include on-site resource officers in 80% of schools. The county offers adult education through Kishwaukee College and community programs, serving over 1,500 adult learners annually. Advanced STEM and career-technical programs are available in 70% of high schools, enhancing both academic and vocational outcomes.

As of 2023, DeKalb County, IL, had an employment rate of approximately 62%. Major employment industries include education, health services (23%), manufacturing (18%), and retail trade (11%). Most workers are employed in management, business, science, and arts occupations (31%). About 82% of employed residents commute by car, with an average commute time of 26 minutes; roughly 37% work outside DeKalb County, primarily traveling to neighboring counties such as Kane and Cook.

DeKalb County, IL, features a homeownership rate of about 62%, with a median home value near $217,000 in 2023. The median rent is roughly $1,100 monthly. Housing options include single-family homes, apartments, and townhouses, concentrated in neighborhoods like DeKalb, Sycamore, and Cortland. Market trends show moderate annual price growth of 4-6%. Property taxes average around 2.5% of assessed value, higher than the national average. The area balances student rentals, due to Northern Illinois University, with established residential areas, appealing to families and professionals seeking affordability compared to the Chicago metro area.

DeKalb County, IL, reported a crime rate of approximately 1,690 incidents per 100,000 residents in 2023, lower than the national average. Violent crime, including 35 assaults and 4 robberies per 100,000, is relatively rare, while property crime—primarily theft and burglary—accounts for about 1,500 incidents per 100,000. Law enforcement agencies encourage community reporting, contributing to a high case clearance rate of 48%. Proactive police presence and safety programs have helped keep DeKalb County safer compared to neighboring regions.