Dekalb ZIP Code List — Dekalb County, IL

There is one unique ZIP code in Dekalb, Illinois and it is 60115. Area code: 815/779.

ZIP codes

81.03

sq mi land

0.33

sq mi water

815/779

area code

Dekalb, IL ZIP code map

About Dekalb, IL

Dekalb, Illinois, is a vibrant city located in Dekalb County. Known for its rich history and diverse community, it serves as a hub for education and innovation. The city is also home to Northern Illinois University, which significantly contributes to its cultural and economic landscape.

Location & geography

Dekalb is situated in the north-central part of Illinois, approximately 60 miles west of Chicago. It is bordered by towns such as Sycamore, just a few miles to the south, and Genoa, about 10 miles to the northwest. The city covers a total land area of 81.03 square miles, with a small water area of 0.33 square miles, making it a largely terrestrial community.

Community & economy

The character of Dekalb is shaped by its strong educational presence, largely due to Northern Illinois University. The city's economy is supported by various industries, including manufacturing, education, and healthcare, providing a balanced daily life for its residents. Community events and local festivals foster a sense of connection and engagement among the diverse population.

Transportation

Dekalb is easily accessible via major highways, including Illinois Route 23 and Illinois Route 38, which connect it to other regional hubs. The nearest named airport is the Chicago Rockford International Airport, located about 35 miles to the northeast. As a city with limited public transit options, residents primarily rely on personal vehicles for transportation.

History

Dekalb was founded in the early 19th century and quickly grew due to its strategic location and agricultural potential. The city played a significant role in the development of the barbed wire industry, being the home of the J. G. Brant & Co. in the late 1800s, which positioned it on the map for innovation. Over the years, Dekalb has seen various notable events, including the establishment of its university, which has transformed it into a center for higher education.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Dekalb is that it was named after Johann de Kalb, a German-born general in the American Revolutionary War. Additionally, the city is known for its annual Corn Fest, celebrating its agricultural roots with a variety of activities and local vendors.

ZIP codes for Dekalb, IL (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
60115	Dekalb	Dekalb	View map

Demographics & statistics

42,456

Population

25.3

Median age

$47,310

Median household income

$27,096

Per capita income

$193,700

Median home value

$983

Median monthly rent

42.0%

Home ownership

26.4%

Poverty rate

10.4%

Unemployment

8,440

Housing units

38.7%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

983

Under 5

992

1,067

5–9

1,076

1,155

10–14

1,166

2,260

15–19

2,280

5,003

20–24

5,048

3,066

25–34

3,093

1,928

35–44

1,946

1,788

45–54

1,804

979

55–59

987

708

60–64

715

1,177

65–74

1,187

596

75–84

601

424

85+

427

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	7,812	18.4%
18 and over	34,644	81.6%
65 and over	4,412	10.4%
Median age	25.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 60.6%

Black or African American 13.6%

Two or more races 8.4%

Hispanic or Latino 7.5%

Other race 4.6%

Asian 4.5%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.7%

Group	Count	%
White	27,835	60.6%
Black or African American	6,233	13.6%
Two or more races	3,869	8.4%
Hispanic or Latino	3,462	7.5%
Other race	2,133	4.6%
Asian	2,045	4.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native	341	0.7%

Household income

Under $10k 13.6%

$10k–$15k 5.2%

$15k–$25k 11.0%

$25k–$35k 9.6%

$35k–$50k 12.5%

$50k–$75k 15.6%

$75k–$100k 11.3%

$100k–$150k 12.0%

$150k–$200k 5.5%

$200k+ 3.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	13.6%
$10k–$15k	5.2%
$15k–$25k	11.0%
$25k–$35k	9.6%
$35k–$50k	12.5%
$50k–$75k	15.6%
$75k–$100k	11.3%
$100k–$150k	12.0%
$150k–$200k	5.5%
$200k+	3.6%
Median income	$47,310

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.0%

$50k–$100k 5.1%

$100k–$150k 15.7%

$150k–$200k 29.0%

$200k–$300k 34.0%

$300k–$500k 10.8%

$500k–$1M 1.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$193,700
Median rent / month	$983
Owner occupied	42.0%
Renter occupied	58.0%
Vacant	7.1%
Single-family detached	41.0%
Large apartment buildings	14.5%
Mobile homes	1.9%
Median rooms	4.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.60

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	1.8%
2000–2009	16.0%
1990–1999	14.3%
1980–1989	8.7%
1970–1979	20.3%
1960–1969	17.9%
1950–1959	6.5%
1940–1949	2.2%
1939 or earlier	12.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	5.2%
1 bedroom	17.5%
2 bedrooms	27.2%
3 bedrooms	34.2%
4 bedrooms	13.2%
5+ bedrooms	2.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	9.3%
1 vehicle	41.4%
2 vehicles	35.8%
3 or more	13.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	68.8%
Electricity	27.8%
Propane / LP gas	2.5%
Fuel oil	0.1%
Wood	0.1%
Solar	0.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	5,052	29.7%
Cohabiting couple	1,475	8.7%
Male householder, no spouse	4,666	27.5%
Female householder, no spouse	5,799	34.1%
Households with children under 18	4,188	24.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	3,125	18.4%
Average household size	2.28

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	60.1%	54.8%
Married	31.2%	28.8%
Separated	0.8%	1.0%
Widowed	1.6%	6.8%
Divorced	6.2%	8.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.3%

Some HS, no diploma 4.1%

HS graduate 23.5%

Some college, no degree 19.9%

Associate's degree 9.5%

Bachelor's degree 23.3%

Graduate / professional 15.4%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	91.7%
Bachelor's or higher	38.7%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	593	3.3%
Kindergarten	329	1.8%
Elementary school	3,511	19.4%
High school	1,998	11.1%
College / grad school	11,621	64.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 30.1%

Retail trade 13.7%

Arts, food & hospitality 12.6%

Manufacturing 11.3%

Professional & management 8.5%

Transportation & utilities 5.7%

Construction 4.5%

Other services 4.5%

Finance & real estate 2.9%

Public administration 2.3%

Wholesale trade 2.1%

Information 1.3%

Agriculture & mining 0.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	33.7%
Service	24.3%
Sales & office	17.0%
Natural resources & construction	7.4%
Production & transportation	17.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	75.8%
Government	19.7%
Self-employed	4.4%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	76.5%
Carpool	10.7%
Public transit	1.0%
Walk	6.4%
Other means	1.7%
Avg commute (minutes)	22.4

Poverty

All people 26.4%

Under 18 years 34.6%

18 and over 24.3%

Married-couple families 5.6%

Female-led households 44.5%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	19.7%
Retirement income	17.2%
Supplemental Security	3.4%
Cash public assistance	3.9%
Food stamps / SNAP	15.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	23.1%
High cholesterol	23.4%
Heart disease	3.9%
Stroke	2.0%
Asthma	11.0%
Arthritis	16.4%
Kidney disease	2.1%
Pulmonary disease	5.0%
Cancer	3.8%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.8%
No physical activity	23.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.6%
Fair or poor health	13.0%
Poor mental health	16.2%
Poor physical health	8.3%
No health insurance	12.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	74.6%
Visited dentist	57.1%
Cholesterol screening	79.8%
Teeth loss	14.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,687	4.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	10.8%
Under 18	4.9%
18–64 years	9.7%
65 and over	29.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	70.5%
Public insurance	34.2%
Uninsured under 19	2.2%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	40,481	95.3%
Spanish	2,574	6.4%
Other Indo-European	1,514	3.7%
Asian & Pacific Islander	239	0.6%
Other languages	644	1.6%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	38,265	90.1%
Born in same state	37,540	88.4%
Born in different state	30,875	72.7%
Foreign born	725	1.7%
Naturalized citizen	4,191	9.9%
Not a US citizen	1,519	36.2%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	7,206	17%
French	2,901	6.8%
Polish	1,357	3.2%
Arab	768	1.8%
English	295	0.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
Irish	236	0.6%
German	108	0.3%
Dutch	70	0.2%
Norwegian	61	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.0%
Internet access	94.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Dekalb, IL?

Dekalb, IL has one ZIP code: 60115.

What is the main ZIP code for Dekalb, IL?

The primary ZIP code for Dekalb, IL is 60115. The city uses area code 815 or 779 for phone service.

What county is Dekalb, IL in?

Dekalb is located in Dekalb County, Illinois.

How many ZIP codes are in Dekalb, IL?

Dekalb, IL has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code does Northern Illinois University's main campus in Dekalb use?

Northern Illinois University's main campus in Dekalb is located in ZIP code 60115, which covers the central academic and residential areas of the city.

What is the ZIP code for downtown Dekalb and the historic courthouse area?

Downtown Dekalb, including the DeKalb County Courthouse and the historic city center, is located in ZIP code 60115.