DeKalb is a city located in DeKalb County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 39,018.
DeKalb is located at 41°55'53" North, 88°45'1" West (41.931274, -88.750151).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 32.7 km2 (12.6 mi2). 32.7 km2 (12.6 mi2) of it is land and 0.08% is water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 39,018 people, 13,081 households, and 6,566 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,194.7/km2 (3,093.9/mi2). There are 13,619 housing units at an average density of 417.0/km2 (1,079.9/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 79.49% White, 9.08% African American, 0.24% Native American, 4.62% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 4.35% from other races, and 2.09% from two or more races. 9.04% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 13,081 households out of which 25.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.0% are married couples living together, 9.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 49.8% are non-families. 29.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.42 and the average family size is 3.02.
In the city the population is spread out with 16.9% under the age of 18, 39.2% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 12.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 23 years. For every 100 females there are 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 96.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $35,153, and the median income for a family is $53,017. Males have a median income of $36,255 versus $26,422 for females. The per capita income for the city is $16,261. 21.3% of the population and 9.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 11.2% of those under the age of 18 and 5.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Founded in 1837, DeKalb remained a small community until the arrival of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad in 1853. DeKalb's central location brought easier shipping of crops and access to larger markets. Agriculture was the primary economic activity until 1873-4 when farmer Joseph Glidden developed barbed wire and began commercial mass production of his new invention. Glidden sold half of his interest to hardware merchant Isaac L. Ellwood and together the two formed the Barb Fence Company.
Two months after Glidden filed his application for a patent, lumber salesman Jacob Haish also applied for a patent and on June 25, 1874 ran interference papers against Glidden's patent. After 18 years of legal wrangling, Glidden's patent was declared the "Winner". The industry gave DeKalb a place in history and the nickname "Barb City".
In 1865 H. B. Gurler moved to DeKalb, and later attempted to create high-grade milk. Gurler began shipping his "Pure Milk" to Chicago in 1895.
The founding of Northern Illinois State Normal School in 1895 added education to Dekalb's landscape.
Agriculture again came to the forefront with the creation of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau in 1912, the first organization of its kind. In the 1930s the DeKalb AgResearch Corporation (today MONSANTO) marketed its first hybrid seed corn.
Supermodel Cindy Crawford was born here and graduated as a valedictorian from DeKalb High School in 1984.
The voice of Homer Simpson, Dan Castellaneta, attended "Northern Illinois University".
In addition to Castellaneta, the 3-time oscar-nominated actress Joan Allen attended Northern Illinois University. So did Steve Harris, who is perhaps best known for his role of Eugene Young on the television drama "The Practice."
Source:
DekalbIllinois.com
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