DeKalb County, Illinois
Encyclopedia
DeKalb County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Illinois
. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 105,160, which is an increase of 18.2% from 88,969 in 2000. Its county seat
is Sycamore
. DeKalb County is part of the Chicago metropolitan statistical area.
Between 1834 and 1837, early white man began to settle in DeKalb County along the streams and wooded areas because of the fertile soil, wild game, and food and water opportunities. Major growth stemmed from the introduction of the railroad which brought easier methods of transportation and opportunities for industrial growth. Some of the notable industries based in DeKalb County were: Sandwich Manufacturing Company, Marsh Harvester Company, Barbed Wire, Gurler Brothers Pure Milk and many more.
The county has always been noted for agriculture. In 1852 the first Agricultural Fair was held in Sycamore, under the supervision of the DeKalb Agricultural Society. Eventually farmers, businessmen, bankers and newspapermen organized to become the DeKalb County Soil Improvement Association. In later years the DeKalb County Soil Improvement Association would split into two and become DeKalb County Farm Bureau and DeKalb Agricultural Association (DEKALB AgResearch, Inc., Monsanto). DeKalb County is credited with being the birthplace of the Farm Bureau movement.
Education has played an important role in the area with Northern Illinois University located in DeKalb and Kishwaukee Community College located in Malta. A major fair has been held each year since 1887 at the Sandwich Fairgrounds in Sandwich.
, DeKalb denizens from Illinois pronounce the county name dɨˈkælb "di-KALB", with an L sound, as opposed to a silent "L."
DeKalb County is divided into nineteen townships
:
As of the census
of 2000, there were 88,969 people, 31,674 households, and 19,954 families residing in the county. The population density
was 140 people per square mile (54/km²). There were 32,988 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile (20/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.46% White
, 4.59% Black
or African American
, 0.22% Native American
, 2.35% Asian
, 0.07% Pacific Islander
, 2.74% from other races
, and 1.57% from two or more races. 6.55% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 25.6% were of German
, 10.8% Irish
, 7.2% English
, 5.9% American
and 5.0% Norwegian ancestry according to Census 2000. 90.8% spoke English
and 5.7% Spanish
as their first language.
There were 31,674 households out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.90% were married couples
living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.00% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the county the population was spread out with 23.10% under the age of 18, 22.00% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 17.40% from 45 to 64, and 9.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $45,828, and the median income for a family was $58,194. Males had a median income of $41,111 versus $26,690 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $19,462. About 5.10% of families and 11.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.10% of those under age 18 and 4.50% of those age 65 or over.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 105,160, which is an increase of 18.2% from 88,969 in 2000. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Sycamore
Sycamore, Illinois
Sycamore is a city in DeKalb County, Illinois, United States. It has a commercial district based and centered on Illinois Route 64. The population was 17,519 at the 2010 census, up from 12,020 at the 2000 census.-Early settlement:...
. DeKalb County is part of the Chicago metropolitan statistical area.
History
DeKalb County was formed on March 4, 1837 out of Kane County, Illinois. The County was named in honor of Johanna de Kalb, a German (Bavarian) hero of the American Revolutionary War. DeKalb County is approximately 632.7 square miles, located 63 miles west of Chicago. There are 19 townships in the county with the county seat at Sycamore.Between 1834 and 1837, early white man began to settle in DeKalb County along the streams and wooded areas because of the fertile soil, wild game, and food and water opportunities. Major growth stemmed from the introduction of the railroad which brought easier methods of transportation and opportunities for industrial growth. Some of the notable industries based in DeKalb County were: Sandwich Manufacturing Company, Marsh Harvester Company, Barbed Wire, Gurler Brothers Pure Milk and many more.
The county has always been noted for agriculture. In 1852 the first Agricultural Fair was held in Sycamore, under the supervision of the DeKalb Agricultural Society. Eventually farmers, businessmen, bankers and newspapermen organized to become the DeKalb County Soil Improvement Association. In later years the DeKalb County Soil Improvement Association would split into two and become DeKalb County Farm Bureau and DeKalb Agricultural Association (DEKALB AgResearch, Inc., Monsanto). DeKalb County is credited with being the birthplace of the Farm Bureau movement.
Education has played an important role in the area with Northern Illinois University located in DeKalb and Kishwaukee Community College located in Malta. A major fair has been held each year since 1887 at the Sandwich Fairgrounds in Sandwich.
Pronunciation
Unlike similarly spelled locations, such as DeKalb County, GeorgiaDeKalb County, Georgia
DeKalb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population of the county was 691,893 at the 2010 census. Its county seat is the city of Decatur. It is bordered to the west by Fulton County and contains roughly 10% of the city of Atlanta...
, DeKalb denizens from Illinois pronounce the county name dɨˈkælb "di-KALB", with an L sound, as opposed to a silent "L."
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 634.66 square miles (1,643.8 km²), of which 631.31 square miles (1,635.1 km²) (or 99.47%) is land and 3.35 square miles (8.7 km²) (or 0.53%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Boone County - north
- McHenry CountyMcHenry County, IllinoisMcHenry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 308,760, which is an increase of 18.7% from 260,077 in 2000. Its county seat is Woodstock. This county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. It is the sixth largest county, in...
- northeast - Kane CountyKane County, IllinoisKane County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 515,269, which is an increase of 27.5% from 404,119 in 2000. Its county seat is Geneva, and its largest city is Aurora.- Geography :...
- east - Kendall CountyKendall County, IllinoisKendall County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois, about 40 miles southwest of Chicago. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 114,736, which is an increase of 110% from 54,544 in 2000. It was the fastest-growing county in the United States between the years 2000 and...
- southeast - LaSalle County - south
- Lee County - west
- Ogle CountyOgle County, IllinoisOgle County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 53,497, which is an increase of 4.8% from 51,032 in 2000. Its county seat is Oregon, and its largest city is Rochelle...
- west - Winnebago CountyWinnebago County, IllinoisWinnebago County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 295,266, which is an increase of 6.1% from 278,418 in 2000...
- northwest
Major highways
-
Interstate 88Interstate 88 (west)Interstate 88 is an intrastate Interstate Highway in the state of Illinois. It runs from an interchange with Interstate 80 near Silvis and Moline to an interchange with Interstates 290 and 294 in Hillside, near Chicago... -
US Route 30 -
US Route 34 -
Illinois Route 23Illinois Route 23Illinois Route 23 is a north–south state highway in northern Illinois. It runs from Illinois Route 116 in Pontiac north to U.S. Route 14 south of Harvard. This is a distance of .-Route description:... -
Illinois Route 38Illinois Route 38Illinois Route 38 is an east–west state road that runs across northern Illinois. It runs from U.S. Route 52 in downtown Dixon to U.S. Highways 12, 20, and 45 in Westchester. This is a distance of . As Roosevelt Road it continues through Forest Park and into Cicero and Chicago before... -
Illinois Route 64Illinois Route 64Illinois Route 64 is an east–west road in north-central Illinois. Its western terminus is at the Iowa state line, connecting with U.S. Route 52 and Iowa Highway 64 via the Savanna-Sabula Bridge at the Mississippi River west of Savanna... -
Illinois Route 72Illinois Route 72Illinois Route 72 is an east–west state road in northeastern Illinois. It runs from the intersection with Illinois Route 73 north of Lanark east to Illinois Route 43 in Chicago...
Townships
Township (United States)
A township in the United States is a small geographic area. Townships range in size from 6 to 54 square miles , with being the norm.The term is used in three ways....
:
|
Genoa Township, DeKalb County, Illinois Genoa Township is one of nineteen townships in DeKalb County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 5,342.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Genoa Township covers an area of .-Unincorporated towns:... Kingston Township, DeKalb County, Illinois Kingston Township is one of nineteen townships in DeKalb County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 2,577.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Kingston Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Cities, towns, villages:* Genoa *... Malta Township, DeKalb County, Illinois Malta Township is one of nineteen townships in DeKalb County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,402. Malta Township was originally formed as Etna Township from a portion of DeKalb Township in September, 1856; it was renamed to to Malta Township in December 1858... Mayfield Township, DeKalb County, Illinois Mayfield Township is one of nineteen townships in DeKalb County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 810. Mayfield Township was renamed from Liberty Township on November 20, 1850.-Geography:... Milan Township, DeKalb County, Illinois Milan Township is one of nineteen townships in DeKalb County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 364. Milan Township formed from portions of Shabbona Township and Malta Township on February 23, 1858.-Geography:... |
Paw Paw Township, DeKalb County, Illinois Paw Paw Township is one of nineteen townships in DeKalb County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 306.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Paw Paw Township covers an area of .-Unincorporated towns:* Rollo at... Pierce Township, DeKalb County, Illinois Pierce Township is one of nineteen townships in DeKalb County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 473. Pierce Township was formed from Squaw Grove and Pampas Township before 1853.-Geography:... Sandwich Township, DeKalb County, Illinois Sandwich Township is one of nineteen townships in DeKalb County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 6,920. Sandwich Township was formed from a portion of Somonauk Township on July 14, 1896.-Geography:... Shabbona Township, DeKalb County, Illinois Shabbona Township is one of nineteen townships in DeKalb County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,454. The township contains the Chief Shabbona Forest Preserve and Shabbona Lake State Park.-Geography:... Somonauk Township, DeKalb County, Illinois Somonauk Township is one of nineteen townships in DeKalb County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,805.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Somonauk Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Cities, towns, villages:* Sandwich *... |
South Grove Township, DeKalb County, Illinois South Grove Township is one of nineteen townships in DeKalb County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 535. South Grove Township was renamed from Vernon Township on November 20, 1850.-Geography:... Squaw Grove Township, DeKalb County, Illinois Squaw Grove Township is one of nineteen townships in DeKalb County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 2,712.-Geography:... Sycamore Township, DeKalb County, Illinois Sycamore Township is one of nineteen townships in DeKalb County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 10,401.-Geography:... Victor Township, DeKalb County, Illinois Victor Township is one of nineteen townships in DeKalb County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 364. Victor Township was formed from Clinton Township around 1853.-Geography:... |
Cities and towns
- CortlandCortland, IllinoisCortland is an incorporated town in DeKalb County, Illinois, United States. The population was 4,270 at the 2010 census, up from 2,066 at the 2000 census...
- DeKalbDeKalb, IllinoisDeKalb is a city in DeKalb County, Illinois, United States. The population was 43,862 at the 2010 census, up from 39,018 at the 2000 census. The city is named after decorated German war hero Johann De Kalb, who died during the American Revolutionary War....
- GenoaGenoa, IllinoisGenoa is a city in the north-east corner of DeKalb County, Illinois in the United States. It is located on the historic Galena-Chicago stagecoach route. At the 2010 census the city had a population of 5,193, up from 4,169 at the 2000 census.-History:...
- HinckleyHinckley, IllinoisHinckley is a village in Squaw Grove Township, DeKalb County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,070 at the 2010 census, up from 1,994 at the 2000 census.-History:...
- KingstonKingston, IllinoisKingston is a village in DeKalb County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,164 at the 2010 census, up from 980 at the 2000 census.- History :...
- KirklandKirkland, IllinoisKirkland is a village in DeKalb County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,744 at the 2010 census, up from 1,166 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Kirkland is located at ....
- LeeLee, IllinoisLee is a village in DeKalb County, Illinois and Lee County, Illinois. The population was 337 at the 2010 census, up from 313 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lee is located at ....
- MaltaMalta, IllinoisMalta is a village in DeKalb County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,164 at the 2010 census, up from 969 at the 2000 census.-History:Malta was founded in 1855, under the name of Milton...
- Maple ParkMaple Park, IllinoisMaple Park is a village in DeKalb and Kane Counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 1,310 at the 2010 census, up from 765 at the 2000 census...
- Mostly in Kane CountyKane County, IllinoisKane County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 515,269, which is an increase of 27.5% from 404,119 in 2000. Its county seat is Geneva, and its largest city is Aurora.- Geography :...
, IllinoisIllinoisIllinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,... - SandwichSandwich, IllinoisSandwich is a city in DeKalb, Kendall, and LaSalle counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 6,509 at the 2000 census. The 2008 population estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau for the city is 7,337.-History:...
(north three-quarters) - ShabbonaShabbona, IllinoisShabbona is a village in DeKalb County, Illinois, United States. The population was 925 at the 2010 census, down from 929 at the 2000 census.The village takes its name from the Potawatomi chief and peacemaker Shabbona. Chief Shabbona traveled through the Fox Valley warning the white people about...
- SomonaukSomonauk, IllinoisSomonauk is a village in DeKalb County and LaSalle counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 1,295 at the 2000 census. A special census in 2008 set the population at 1,832....
(north three-quarters) - SycamoreSycamore, IllinoisSycamore is a city in DeKalb County, Illinois, United States. It has a commercial district based and centered on Illinois Route 64. The population was 17,519 at the 2010 census, up from 12,020 at the 2000 census.-Early settlement:...
- WatermanWaterman, IllinoisWaterman is a village in DeKalb County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,506 at the 2010 census, up from 1224 at the 2000 census.The village is known for the train line that operates in Lion's Club Park...
Political districts
- Illinois' 14th congressional districtIllinois' 14th congressional districtThe 14th congressional district of Illinois covers a part of northern Illinois, including the cities of Aurora, Elgin, DeKalb, and Dixon, and parts of Henry, Whiteside, Lee, DeKalb, Kane, Kendall, DuPage and Bureau counties...
- Illinois 16th Congressional District
- State House District 70
- State House District 90
- State Senate District 35
- State Senate District 45
- Note: Illinois was redistricted in 2011 as a result of the loss of a Congressional seat (IL went from holding 19 to 18). Prior to redistricting DeKalb was represented by House Districts: 69 and 70; Senate District: 35; and Congressional District: 14
Demographics
| DeKalb County Population by year |
2010 - 105,160 2000 - 88,969 1990 - 77,932 1980 - 74,624 1970 - 71,654 1960 - 51,714 1950 - 40,781 1940 - 34,388 1930 - 32,644 1920 - 31,339 1910 - 33,457 1900 - 31,756 1890 - 27,066 1880 - 26,768 1870 - 23,265 1860 - 19,086 1850 - 7,540 1840 - 1,697 |
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 88,969 people, 31,674 households, and 19,954 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 140 people per square mile (54/km²). There were 32,988 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile (20/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.46% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 4.59% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.22% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.35% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.07% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.74% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.57% from two or more races. 6.55% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 25.6% were of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 10.8% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, 7.2% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 5.9% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and 5.0% Norwegian ancestry according to Census 2000. 90.8% spoke English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and 5.7% Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
as their first language.
There were 31,674 households out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.90% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.00% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the county the population was spread out with 23.10% under the age of 18, 22.00% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 17.40% from 45 to 64, and 9.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 98.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $45,828, and the median income for a family was $58,194. Males had a median income of $41,111 versus $26,690 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $19,462. About 5.10% of families and 11.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.10% of those under age 18 and 4.50% of those age 65 or over.
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Sycamore have ranged from a low of 10 °F (-12.2 °C) in January to a high of 84 °F (28.9 °C) in July, although a record low of -27 °F was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of 103 °F (39.4 °C) was recorded in August 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.4 inches (3.6 cm) in February to 4.49 inches (11.4 cm) in June.Further reading
- Eric W. Mogren. Native Soil: A History of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau (DeKalb: Northern Illinois University PressNorthern Illinois University PressNorthern Illinois University Press is a publisher and part of Northern Illinois University. The press publishes about twenty new books per year in history, politics, anthropology, and literature, with about 400 books currently in print. In September 2008 the Press launched a fiction imprint,...
, 2005), 288 pp.