Wealth Index
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | DeKalb County | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $69,617 | $82,179 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $60,519 | $65,365 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.1% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.3% | 14.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in DeKalb County is about 15% lower than in Illinois. Income has been growing slower in DeKalb County (3.1%/yr) than in Illinois (4.8%/yr).
About 9% of adults in DeKalb County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Illinois average of 14%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in DeKalb County, Illinois grew by 30.5% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $69,617 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.1% per year.
Economic Inequality in DeKalb County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | DeKalb County | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.564 | 0.567 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $66,954 | $72,139 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $51,904 | $58,023 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 22.5% | 19.6% | 19.1% |
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 County, it is 0.564, about the same as Illinois's 0.567, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 29% more than women's income in DeKalb County, Illinois. Over a 35-year career, a 29% wage gap accumulates to roughly $526,750 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 County, Illinois has narrowed from about 33% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,747 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | DeKalb County | Illinois Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 5.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 7.6% | 14.0% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 3,977 people are unemployed in DeKalb County, Illinois.
The average commute time in DeKalb County is 20 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in Illinois.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in DeKalb County, Illinois has fallen from 10.2% to 7.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, DeKalb County, Illinois has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with Illinois, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in DeKalb County, Illinois.
How Rich Is DeKalb County, Illinois?
DeKalb County has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $69,617, about 15% lower than the Illinois average of $82,179.
What is the current median household income in DeKalb County, Illinois?
As of 2023, the median household income in DeKalb County, Illinois is $69,617.
What was the median household income in DeKalb County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in DeKalb County, Illinois was $69,617.
What was the median household income in DeKalb County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in DeKalb County, Illinois was $62,304.
What is the Gini coefficient in DeKalb County, Illinois?
The Gini coefficient in DeKalb County is 0.564. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in DeKalb County, Illinois?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in DeKalb County, Illinois has narrowed from about 33% to 22% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $1,747 since 2009.