DeKalb, located in DeKalb County, States, was named in honor of Johann de Kalb, a renowned hero from Franconia, France, who lost his life in the American Revolutionary War.

Joseph Glidden, a resident of DeKalb since the 1850s, played a significant role in the town’s history by creating the double-strand barbed wire. This invention, patented in 1874, is still widely used globally.

DeKalb is located in the northern region of Illinois, roughly 65 miles west of downtown Chicago and 30 miles to the southeast of Rockford. The South Branch of the Kishwaukee River runs in a northerly direction through DeKalb.

DeKalb experiences a humid continental climate (classified as Köppen Dfa) similar to that of northern Illinois, featuring four distinct seasons. The summers are often warm, with winters characterized by cold temperatures and snowfall. Precipitation levels remain fairly consistent throughout the year, with slightly heavier rainfall occurring in the spring and summer, particularly during thunderstorm season.

According to the 2020 census, the city was home to 40,290 individuals, 15,839 households, and 7,804 families.

The Egyptian Theatre, a historic landmark built in 1929, is among a select few of its kind still standing in the United States.

Northern Illinois University is located in DeKalb and is the city’s biggest employer as well as the third-largest campus in Illinois. Other major employers in the area are Northwestern Medicine, General Electric, Monsanto (known originally as DeKalb Corn), the local school district, and a significant retail district along Route 23 that is also shared with Sycamore.

The DeKalb Park District oversees 44 parks and in 1935 by members of the League of Women Voters to meet the community’s demand for a public. The City of DeKalb transferred the initial four parks – Annie’s Woods, Huntley Park, Liberty Park, and Hopkins Park – to the District.

DeKalb operates under a council-manager form of government where the city council, composed of a mayor is responsible for setting policies. These policies are then carried out by a city manager who is appointed to the role. The mayor is elected citywide, while the alderpersons are elected by residents in specific wards. Each member serves a four-year term, with staggered elections held every two years. Additionally, a city clerk is elected every four years to manage the city’s records. City council meetings occur on the second and fourth Mondays of each month.

There are a total of 11 public schools, along with one private school, one university, and one public library.

DeKalb benefits from a diverse range of educational options, with both public and private schools available to students. The DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 oversees eight elementary schools (K-5), two middle schools (6-8), and DeKalb High School (9-12), which is home to the renowned Barbs sports teams.

DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport (DTMA) is located on the eastern side of the city at 3232 Pleasant Street and primarily caters to general aviation. It was established in April 1944 in conjunction with a factory producing Interstate TDR assault drone aircraft, with the city assuming ownership in 1948. While the airport doesn’t offer commercial flights to DeKalb, it is conveniently situated just 43.43 miles from O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, providing easy access to commercial air services.

Kishwaukee Hospital, a part of Northwestern Medicine, provides top-notch medical care to patients in the surrounding area.

Prominent Individuals
This section focuses on notable figures hb. To learn about the List of Northern Illinois University individuals. George Franklin Barber, a renowned architect, is recognized as the most accomplished American residential architects of the late Victorian era. He was born in DeKalb. A. J. Bramlett, a former professional basketball player for Cleveland Cavaliers, is also among the distinguished individuals from the area. Dennis J. Collins, an Illinois attorney and state legislator, is another figure of note. Cindy Crawford, a well-known model and actress, gained fame by gracing numerous magazine covers and was once declared the highest-paid model globally by Forbes in 1995. She originates from DeKalb. Other noteworthy individuals include Joseph B. Ebbesen, an optometrist and Illinois state legislator, and Isaac L. Ellwood, a rancher, businessman, and barbed wire innovator. Philip Ewell, an esteemed music theory professor at Hunter College and the CUNY Graduate Center, also hails from this region. Fred Eychaner, a prominent media magnate and philanthropist, has roots in DeKalb. Joseph Glidden, a farmer credited with patenting barbed wire in 1874, played a pivotal role in shaping the development of the American West. Jacob Haish, recognized as one of the creators of barbed wire, is another notable figure associated with DeKalb.  To see the complete list of  prominent individuals click here prominent individuals.