DeKalb, Illinois

DeKalb, Illinois
City
The Egyptian Theatre in Downtown DeKalb
Flag Logo
Nickname:  Barb City
Location of DeKalb in DeKalb County, Illinois
DeKalb Show map of Illinois DeKalb Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 41°55′53″N 88°45′01″W / 41.93139°N 88.75028°W / 41.93139; -88.75028
Country	United States
State	Illinois
County	DeKalb
Incorporated	1856
Named for	Johann de Kalb
Government
• Mayor	Cohen Barnes
Area [1]
• City	17.12 sq mi (44.33 km2)
• Land	16.95 sq mi (43.91 km2)
• Water	0.17 sq mi (0.43 km2)
Elevation	879 ft (268 m)
Population  (2020)
• City	40,290
• Density	2,376.71/sq mi (917.66/km2)
• Urban	68,545 [2]
Time zone	UTC−6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP codes	60115
Area code	815
FIPS code	17-19161
Public Transit	DeKalb Public Transit
Website	www.cityofdekalb.com

DeKalb (/dɪˈkælb/ dih-KALB) is a city in DeKalb County, Illinois, United States. The population was 40,290 at the 2020 census. The city is named after decorated Franconian-French war hero Johann de Kalb, who died during the American Revolutionary War.

Founded in 1856, DeKalb became important in the development and manufacture of barbed wire, especially for agriculture and raising livestock. While agricultural-related industries remain a facet of the city, along with health and services, the city's largest employer in the 21st century is Northern Illinois University, founded in 1895. DeKalb is about 65 miles (105 km) from downtown Chicago.