Where is DeKalb, Illinois, USA?

Written and fact-checked by | Reviewed by WhereIG Editorial Team | Last updated: August 14, 2026, 18:45 ET

Where is DeKalb Located? - DeKalb is a city located in the DeKalb County of Illinois, United States. DeKalb lies between 37.5479 Degrees North latitudes and 97.2702 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of DeKalb, Illinois

Where is DeKalb, Illinois

DeKalb Map, Illinois, USA

Where is DeKalb?: The Google Map showing the location of DeKalb in the U.S. state of Illinois.

Where is DeKalb Located?

DeKalb is a city located in the DeKalb County of Illinois, United States. DeKalb lies between 37.5479 Degrees North latitudes and 97.2702 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of DeKalb city is 40290 people and the city has a total area of 16.14 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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DeKalb, Illinois Quick Facts

PropertyDetails
CityDeKalb
CountyDeKalb County
StateIllinois
State CapitalSpringfield
US RegionMidwestern United States
Latitude41.9295°N
Longitude88.7504°W
Elevation932 ft (284 m)
Land Area17.09 sq mi
Water Area0.08 sq mi
Total Area17.17 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)40,290
Population DensityAbout 2,358 per sq mi
ZIP Codes60115, 60116
Area Code779, 815
Time Zone StandardCentral Standard Time (CST), UTC -6
Time Zone DaylightCentral Daylight Time (CDT), UTC -5
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code17-19161
Congressional DistrictIllinois's 16th Congressional District

Nearby Cities to DeKalb, Illinois

  • Sycamore, Illinois - North - 4 mi
  • Cortland, Illinois - East - 5 mi
  • Genoa, Illinois - North - 12 mi
  • Maple Park, Illinois - Southeast - 12 mi
  • Rochelle, Illinois - West - 25 mi
  • Geneva, Illinois - East - 28 mi
  • St. Charles, Illinois - East - 30 mi
  • Aurora, Illinois - Southeast - 33 mi
  • Elgin, Illinois - East - 37 mi
  • Rockford, Illinois - Northwest - 44 mi

DeKalb, Illinois Climate and Weather Overview

MonthAvg High (°F)Avg Low (°F)Avg Rainfall (in)
January30141.8
April59373.9
July84634.2
October62422.8
Annual593937.6
Climate AttributeDetails
Climate Classification (Köppen)Hot-Summer Humid Continental (Dfa)
Annual RainfallAbout 38 inches
Annual Sunshine DaysApproximately 187 days
Hurricane/Tornado RiskNo hurricane risk; moderate tornado risk
SnowfallAbout 33 inches annually

Driving Distances from DeKalb, Illinois

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
SycamoreIllinois48 min
CortlandIllinois510 min
GenoaIllinois1218 min
Maple ParkIllinois1218 min
RochelleIllinois2530 min
GenevaIllinois2835 min
St. CharlesIllinois3038 min
AuroraIllinois3340 min
RockfordIllinois4450 min
ChicagoIllinois661 hr 20 min

Transportation and Connectivity in DeKalb, Illinois

TransportationDetails
Airport NameChicago Rockford International Airport (nearest commercial airport)
IATA CodeRFD
PortNo commercial port
Major HighwaysInterstate 88, Illinois Route 23, Illinois Route 38, Illinois Route 64
Train/Amtrak ServiceNo Amtrak service; nearest stations in Elburn and Naperville
Local Bus/Transit ServiceNIU Huskie Line and TransVAC public transit
  • Interstate 88 - Major east-west tollway connecting DeKalb with Aurora, Chicago, and the Quad Cities.
  • Illinois Route 23 - Primary north-south highway linking DeKalb with Sycamore, Ottawa, and Marengo.
  • Illinois Route 38 (Lincoln Highway) - Historic route connecting DeKalb with Rochelle, Geneva, and Chicago's western suburbs.
  • Illinois Route 64 - Regional highway providing access to Sycamore, St. Charles, and northern Illinois communities.

Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in DeKalb, Illinois

Landmark NameType
Northern Illinois UniversityUniversity Campus
Ellwood House MuseumHistoric House Museum
Egyptian TheatreHistoric Theater
DeKalb Nature TrailNature Trail
Hopkins ParkCommunity Park
River Heights Golf CourseRecreation Area
NIU Art MuseumArt Museum
Glidden HomesteadHistoric Site
Prairie ParkCity Park
Jesse W. Kellam Memorial ParkCity Park

Colleges and Universities in DeKalb, Illinois

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Northern Illinois UniversityPublicUniversityResearch and engineering programs
Kishwaukee CollegePublicCommunity CollegeTransfer and workforce education
Northern Illinois University College of LawPublicUniversityLegal education
DeKalb School District 428PublicK-12 DistrictPublic education system
Indian Creek School District 425PublicK-12 DistrictRegional public education

Waterbodies in DeKalb, Illinois

Kishwaukee River, South Branch Kishwaukee River, Kylyns Pond, Prairie Creek, Afton Creek, Indian Creek, Elwood Lake, Shabbona Lake

Golf Courses in DeKalb, Illinois

River Heights Golf Course, Buena Vista Golf Course, Kishwaukee Country Club, Sycamore Golf Club, Hughes Creek Golf Club, Bliss Creek Golf Club

DeKalb, Illinois - Key Historical Facts

  • DeKalb was founded in 1856 following the arrival of the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad, which encouraged settlement and trade.
  • The city became nationally known through the invention and large-scale production of barbed wire by Joseph Glidden, transforming American agriculture.
  • Northern Illinois University was established in 1895 and has grown into one of the state's largest public universities.
  • DeKalb developed as an important manufacturing and agricultural center during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
  • The historic Egyptian Theatre, opened in 1929, remains one of the city's best-known cultural landmarks and entertainment venues.
  • Today, DeKalb combines higher education, manufacturing, agriculture, and cultural attractions while serving as the economic hub of DeKalb County.

References

Illinois Related Maps and Info

Illinois MapIllinois County MapIllinois Cities Map
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