Home › Illinois › DeKalb

DeKalb, Illinois

Located in DeKalb County, Illinois, DeKalb was established in 1856. Barbed wire invented 1874. DeKalb Genetics seed corn.
Trending in DeKalb
Latest updates coming soon
2 hours ago
More local news on the way
5 hours ago
Founded 1856 | Population 43,000 | Peak 43,000 (2024) | County DeKalb County

Top 10 Most Important Events for DeKalb, Illinois

undefined
1856 Founded: DeKalb was founded by colonial settlers in DeKalb County.
undefined
1874 Barbed Wire: Invented here.
undefined
1874 Higher Education: Educational institutions helped define DeKalb's character and economy.
undefined
2010 Modern Era: DeKalb continued to develop as part of the greater metropolitan area, with new infrastructure and community amenities.
🧠
How Well Do You Know DeKalb?
5 questions • 2 minutes
Take the Quiz →

Latest News in Dekalb

Jan 1, 1970
They’ve Won $288 Million From The Lottery But The State Won’t Pay Them
Winning the lottery has been the dream for many, and in Illinois, lottery winners are hitting the jackpot.
Jan 1, 1970
Heres what These New Purple Parking Spots Mean
In the bustling streets of American cities back in May 2016, a splash of purple began popping up in parking lots, catching the eye…
Jan 1, 1970
Illinois Legislature Would Force Welfare Recipients Take Drug Tests Meet
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In early 2016, Illinois lawmakers pushed forward a controversial bill that would have required welfare recip…
Jan 1, 1970
Man Defends Home Break Using Lethal Force Faces Consequences
Chicago, Illinois – On a chilly January evening in 2016, a homeowner took matters into his own hands when intruders targeted his…
Jan 1, 1970
Womans Unexpected Run Gas Station Goes Viral
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On a chilly December evening in 2015, what started as a simple errand turned into a moment that spread across…
Jan 1, 1970
Trump Poised Strong Performance March 15 Primaries
Washington, D.C., October 24, 2015 — As the 2016 Republican primary race heated up, Donald Trump looked set to make a big splash…

Complete Historical Timeline

1856 Culture
Founded
1874 Industry
Barbed Wire
1874 Culture
Higher Education
2010 Culture
Modern Era

Did You Know?

1
Barbed wire invented 1874.
2
NIU here.
3
DeKalb Genetics seed corn.
4
DeKalb is located in DeKalb County, Illinois.
5
DeKalb was founded in 1856.

Famous People from Dekalb, Illinois

CC
Cindy Crawford
Actor, Model · Born Feb 20, 1966 · Age 60
RJ
Richard Jenkins
Actor, Stage Actor · Born May 4, 1947 · Age 78
BH
Barbara Hale
Actor, Television Actor · Born Apr 18, 1922 · Died Jan 26, 2017 (age 94)
WW
W. Willard Wirtz
Jurist · Born Mar 14, 1912 · Died Apr 24, 2010 (age 98)
AB
A. J. Bramlett
Basketball Player · Born Jan 10, 1977 · Age 49

Other Cities in Illinois

View all Illinois cities →
C
Chicago
Pop. 2,746,388
A
Aurora
Pop. 180,935
N
Naperville
Pop. 154,969
J
Joliet
Pop. 152,579
R
Rockford
Pop. 146,881
E
Elgin
Pop. 115,100
See something that needs correcting?
We take accuracy seriously. Help us keep DeKalb's history right.