DeKalb, Illinois Income Statistics
DeKalb Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
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D
DeKalb Well below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | DeKalb | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $42,624 | $84,042 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $44,963 | $64,565 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 1.3% | 4.5% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 4.8% | 15.0% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 3.8% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
The median household income in DeKalb is about 49% lower than in Illinois. Income has been growing slower in DeKalb (1.3%/yr) than in Illinois (4.5%/yr).
About 5% of adults in DeKalb earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Illinois average of 15%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in DeKalb, Illinois grew by 10.0% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $42,624 in 2024. That's an average of about 1.3% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in DeKalb
| Metric | DeKalb | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.604 | 0.547 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $54,186 | $73,933 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $42,644 | $60,067 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 21.3% | 18.8% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In DeKalb, it is 0.604, higher than Illinois's 0.547, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.552, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 27% more than women's income in DeKalb, Illinois. Over a 35-year career, a 27% wage gap accumulates to roughly $403,970 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in DeKalb, Illinois has widened from about 19% to 21% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 31% in 2018, and was narrowest at 8% in 2012. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,433 since 2009.
Sharply against the trend: the pay gap in DeKalb widened by 2.0 points while Illinois's narrowed by 6.5 points.
Employment
| Metric | DeKalb | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 5.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 6.0% | 15.9% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 15 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 1,701 people are unemployed in DeKalb, Illinois.
The average commute time in DeKalb is 15 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in Illinois.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in DeKalb, Illinois has fallen from 13.9% to 10.9% in 2024. Over that period the rate fell as low as 10.4% in 2020.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, DeKalb, Illinois has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than Illinois, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in DeKalb, Illinois.
How Rich Is DeKalb, Illinois?
DeKalb has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $42,624, about 49% lower than the Illinois average of $84,042.
Are incomes growing in DeKalb, Illinois?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in DeKalb, Illinois rose 10%, from $38,751 to $42,624. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Illinois as a whole: +10% against +52%.
What was the median household income in DeKalb in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in DeKalb, Illinois was $40,975, down 7% from $44,127 in 2022. The Illinois median that year was $82,182.
What was the median household income in DeKalb in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in DeKalb, Illinois was $41,991. By 2024 it had risen 2% to $42,624.
How strong is the job market in DeKalb, Illinois?
Unemployment in DeKalb, Illinois is 10.9%, well above the Illinois rate of 5.8%, so job seekers may face more competition than elsewhere.
What is the Gini coefficient in DeKalb, Illinois?
The Gini coefficient in DeKalb is 0.604. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in DeKalb, Illinois?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in DeKalb, Illinois has widened from about 19% to 21% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 31% in 2018, and was narrowest at 8% in 2012. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $3,433 since 2009.
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