Dekalb County, Illinois Property Taxes
Median DeKalb County effective property tax rate: 2.86%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median DeKalb County home value: $185,016
Median annual DeKalb County tax bill: $5,206, $2,806 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in DeKalb County calculated?
Property taxes in DeKalb County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in DeKalb or another part of DeKalb County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated March 1, 2025
Dekalb County, Illinois Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
2.86%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$5,291
$4,910
Property Tax Rates Across Dekalb County, Illinois
Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. Each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate. While votes and laws are involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
DeKalb County has an effective property tax rate significantly higher than the national median property tax rate of 1.02%. This indicates that residents in DeKalb County may face a higher property tax burden compared to the average U.S. property owner. Within Illinois, DeKalb County's tax rate is positioned between the highest rate found in Rochelle and the lowest in Lee. This variation underscores the importance of understanding how local tax rates can impact property owners differently even within the same state. Comparing DeKalb County’s rate to the national median provides a clearer perspective on how local tax policies can influence financial obligations for property owners.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Dekalb County Taxx Rate
2.86%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Illinois Taxx Rate
2.35%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
0.99%
Property Tax Rates Across Dekalb County, Illinois
City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Big Rock | 1.98% | 2.33% | 2.41% | 2.63% | 2.80% |
Clare | 2.41% | 2.69% | 3.07% | 3.41% | 3.68% |
Cortland | 2.70% | 2.92% | 3.03% | 3.32% | 4.01% |
Creston | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Dekalb | 2.54% | 2.81% | 2.99% | 3.33% | 3.37% |
Earlville | 2.29% | 2.51% | 2.81% | 3.15% | 3.41% |
Elburn | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Esmond | 2.36% | 2.47% | 2.64% | 2.93% | 3.49% |
Genoa | 2.43% | 2.65% | 2.91% | 3.07% | 3.29% |
Hampshire | 2.22% | 2.47% | 2.78% | 3.20% | 3.53% |
Hinckley | 2.24% | 2.38% | 2.51% | 2.76% | 2.78% |
Kingston | 2.33% | 2.55% | 2.73% | 2.94% | 3.36% |
Kirkland | 2.25% | 2.64% | 2.94% | 3.09% | 3.28% |
Lee | 1.94% | 2.18% | 2.35% | 2.72% | 2.87% |
Leland | 2.33% | 2.59% | 3.05% | 3.40% | 3.59% |
Malta | 2.23% | 2.65% | 2.91% | 3.25% | 3.31% |
Maple Park | 2.57% | 2.83% | 3.01% | 3.08% | 3.42% |
Marengo | 2.65% | 2.69% | 3.02% | 3.21% | 3.35% |
Monroe Center | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Paw Paw | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Rochelle | 3.03% | 3.26% | 3.43% | 3.57% | 3.66% |
Sandwich | 2.13% | 2.39% | 2.55% | 2.84% | 2.85% |
Shabbona | 2.03% | 2.30% | 2.49% | 2.79% | 2.97% |
Somonauk | 2.32% | 2.57% | 2.76% | 3.08% | 3.08% |
Steward | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Sycamore | 2.43% | 2.67% | 2.83% | 2.98% | 3.16% |
Waterman | 2.10% | 2.32% | 2.49% | 2.74% | 2.87% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Dekalb County, Illinois
When examining property taxes in DeKalb County, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial. The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The DeKalb County assessment office estimates the market value for tax purposes. The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
In DeKalb County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of April. Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in DeKalb County. For example, the median tax bill in DeKalb County is $5,442, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Rochelle has the highest median home price at $302,934.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Dekalb County, Illinois
Source: Ownwell

$145,544
$224,239
$302,934
Median Dekalb County Market Value
$185,016
Median Illinois Market Value
$194,700
Median United States Market Value
$244,900
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Dekalb County, Illinois
City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Big Rock | $234,769 | $273,687 | $302,934 | $337,134 | $439,709 |
Clare | $108,135 | $147,547 | $223,052 | $311,327 | $422,712 |
Cortland | $134,004 | $162,599 | $190,152 | $214,956 | $234,492 |
Creston | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Dekalb | $105,911 | $129,102 | $161,013 | $205,149 | $251,894 |
Earlville | $86,536 | $131,541 | $185,595 | $261,216 | $333,423 |
Elburn | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Esmond | $84,709 | $124,599 | $171,922 | $220,714 | $281,608 |
Genoa | $137,915 | $160,539 | $195,864 | $250,356 | $304,082 |
Hampshire | $134,173 | $149,817 | $188,061 | $216,219 | $263,509 |
Hinckley | $152,263 | $176,679 | $222,802 | $276,630 | $340,017 |
Kingston | $111,272 | $151,760 | $202,298 | $267,334 | $323,698 |
Kirkland | $88,242 | $117,183 | $171,561 | $233,076 | $273,813 |
Lee | $82,010 | $108,052 | $145,544 | $198,323 | $280,460 |
Leland | $112,599 | $147,677 | $206,396 | $285,077 | $398,155 |
Malta | $103,215 | $134,832 | $162,740 | $213,074 | $315,147 |
Maple Park | $156,252 | $187,586 | $251,124 | $295,525 | $319,416 |
Marengo | $27,782 | $95,454 | $244,204 | $319,832 | $352,719 |
Monroe Center | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Paw Paw | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Rochelle | $120,309 | $168,807 | $227,664 | $255,930 | $324,480 |
Sandwich | $126,232 | $150,122 | $189,912 | $249,946 | $296,824 |
Shabbona | $103,425 | $137,783 | $177,280 | $222,443 | $309,767 |
Somonauk | $133,496 | $159,087 | $192,993 | $240,959 | $328,943 |
Steward | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Sycamore | $127,802 | $153,826 | $209,250 | $283,178 | $348,304 |
Waterman | $113,350 | $142,003 | $181,076 | $221,751 | $268,036 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Dekalb County, Illinois
Median Dekalb County Tax Bill
$5,206
Median Illinois Tax Bill
$4,715
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,690
Property Tax Bills Across Dekalb County, Illinois
City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Big Rock | $5,368 | $6,073 | $6,558 | $8,530 | $11,713 |
Clare | $2,658 | $4,440 | $6,277 | $10,117 | $14,056 |
Cortland | $3,853 | $4,672 | $5,901 | $7,255 | $8,494 |
Creston | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Dekalb | $2,968 | $3,734 | $4,798 | $6,160 | $7,683 |
Earlville | $2,086 | $3,715 | $4,983 | $7,372 | $10,702 |
Elburn | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Esmond | $1,885 | $3,220 | $4,889 | $6,201 | $8,623 |
Genoa | $3,603 | $4,472 | $5,649 | $7,134 | $8,712 |
Hampshire | $3,006 | $4,328 | $5,188 | $6,315 | $7,155 |
Hinckley | $3,610 | $4,347 | $5,512 | $7,034 | $8,701 |
Kingston | $3,022 | $4,020 | $5,467 | $7,230 | $9,079 |
Kirkland | $2,224 | $3,157 | $4,826 | $6,831 | $8,331 |
Lee | $1,652 | $2,261 | $3,270 | $4,754 | $7,943 |
Leland | $3,347 | $4,321 | $5,889 | $9,249 | $13,562 |
Malta | $2,648 | $3,658 | $4,671 | $6,156 | $9,535 |
Maple Park | $4,142 | $5,464 | $7,294 | $8,839 | $9,703 |
Marengo | $1,377 | $3,141 | $6,839 | $8,522 | $9,999 |
Monroe Center | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Paw Paw | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Rochelle | $3,647 | $6,022 | $7,410 | $8,586 | $10,892 |
Sandwich | $2,945 | $3,703 | $4,769 | $6,377 | $7,813 |
Shabbona | $2,365 | $3,236 | $4,315 | $5,593 | $8,254 |
Somonauk | $3,404 | $4,226 | $5,297 | $6,464 | $9,190 |
Steward | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Sycamore | $3,329 | $4,234 | $5,745 | $8,110 | $10,073 |
Waterman | $2,595 | $3,359 | $4,475 | $5,579 | $7,448 |
Source: Ownwell