Dekalb County, Illinois Property Taxes
Property Taxes in Dekalb County, Illinois
Median DeKalb County effective property tax rate: 2.44%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median DeKalb County home value: $222,627
Median annual DeKalb County tax bill: $5,381, $2,981 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.
Why are property taxes in DeKalb County so high?
DeKalb County property taxes are high because the county’s effective property tax rate is 2.44%, which is higher than the Illinois median tax rate of 2.33% and well above the national median of 1.02%.
What can lower a property tax bill in DeKalb County?
Property tax exemptions and reduction opportunities can lower a bill, especially when the assessed value is reduced through a successful appeal or exemption.
Whether you live in DeKalb County or another part of the county, understanding local property tax details can lead to significant savings.
Last Updated April 13, 2026
Dekalb County, Illinois Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
2.44%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$5,432
$5,041
How Does the DeKalb County Property Tax Calculator Work?
Use this DeKalb County property tax calculator to estimate your annual property tax bill. Enter your property's assessed value and our calculator applies DeKalb County's median effective tax rate of 2.44% to generate your estimate.
Enter your property's estimated assessed value — the figure the assessment district assigns for tax purposes, which is typically lower than market value after applicable exemptions. Our calculator uses the median effective rate for a more accurate estimate than the statutory millage rate alone.
Your actual bill may vary based on your specific exemptions, local school district levies, and any special assessment districts that apply to your property. DeKalb County’s median effective tax rate is higher than Illinois’ 2.33% median rate, and the county’s median tax bill of $5,381 is higher than the state median by $2,981.
For a more precise estimate, scroll down to explore city and ZIP code-level tax rate trends across DeKalb County.
Property Tax Rates Across Dekalb County, Illinois
What Are Effective Property Tax Rates Across DeKalb County?
Local government entities set tax rates, which vary widely across DeKalb County. Each year, the county estimates its budget for public services and divides that total by the assessed value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction.
Below, compare DeKalb County's effective property tax rate to other counties in Illinois or the U.S. median of 1.02%.
DeKalb County's median effective rate stands at 2.44%, which is higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within DeKalb County, the highest rate is found in Rochelle at 3.45%, while Lee has the lowest at 2.16%.
These variations reflect differences in local school district levies, Special service areas (SSAs) assessments, and special district bonds — which compound the base county rate.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· 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 Tax Rate
2.44%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill Ă· 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 Tax Rate
2.33%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Dekalb County, Illinois
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Rock | 1.76% | 2.13% | 2.18% | 2.66% | 3.06% |
| Clare | 1.93% | 2.36% | 3.04% | 3.40% | 3.70% |
| Cortland | 2.11% | 2.45% | 2.67% | 2.92% | 3.29% |
| Dekalb | 2.09% | 2.31% | 2.45% | 2.71% | 2.74% |
| Earlville | 2.01% | 2.24% | 2.90% | 3.28% | 3.54% |
| Esmond | 1.97% | 2.21% | 2.35% | 2.89% | 3.47% |
| Genoa | 2.11% | 2.36% | 2.62% | 2.71% | 2.94% |
| Hampshire | 2.05% | 2.22% | 2.49% | 3.23% | 3.61% |
| Hinckley | 2.05% | 2.17% | 2.28% | 2.49% | 2.94% |
| Kingston | 2.02% | 2.24% | 2.40% | 2.64% | 3.55% |
| Kirkland | 2.11% | 2.45% | 2.70% | 3.00% | 3.30% |
| Lee | 1.66% | 1.96% | 2.16% | 2.49% | 3.01% |
| Leland | 2.13% | 2.35% | 3.04% | 3.53% | 3.77% |
| Malta | 1.89% | 2.18% | 2.39% | 2.66% | 3.32% |
| Maple Park | 2.17% | 2.50% | 2.70% | 2.89% | 3.41% |
| Marengo | 2.37% | 2.40% | 2.75% | 3.18% | 3.95% |
| Rochelle | 2.44% | 2.94% | 3.45% | 3.51% | 3.60% |
| Sandwich | 1.77% | 2.07% | 2.22% | 2.34% | 2.46% |
| Shabbona | 1.90% | 2.13% | 2.30% | 2.57% | 3.13% |
| Somonauk | 2.07% | 2.28% | 2.44% | 2.70% | 2.70% |
| Sycamore | 2.08% | 2.28% | 2.44% | 2.59% | 2.75% |
| Waterman | 1.39% | 2.04% | 2.22% | 2.46% | 2.88% |
| Creston | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Elburn | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Monroe Center | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Paw Paw | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Steward | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
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 assessor 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.
Assessment notices are sent in the spring each year and typically reach your mailbox by the middle of May. 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.
For example, the median tax bill in DeKalb County is $5,381, compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400. Tax bills range significantly across the county, with Maple Park at $7,389 and Lee at $3,337.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Dekalb County, Illinois
Source: Ownwell
$160,695
$253,926
$347,157
Median Dekalb County Market Value
$222,627
Median Illinois Market Value
$227,888
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Dekalb County, Illinois
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Rock | $240,658 | $321,480 | $347,157 | $404,247 | $455,215 |
| Clare | $89,854 | $151,414 | $243,286 | $330,332 | $428,310 |
| Cortland | $158,277 | $191,974 | $229,209 | $267,117 | $299,061 |
| Dekalb | $132,114 | $161,727 | $201,153 | $255,501 | $309,363 |
| Earlville | $82,070 | $131,452 | $187,760 | $276,250 | $335,792 |
| Esmond | $99,457 | $141,938 | $183,588 | $240,050 | $301,450 |
| Genoa | $166,467 | $192,576 | $228,660 | $295,512 | $354,054 |
| Hampshire | $141,056 | $154,596 | $197,376 | $240,387 | $285,910 |
| Hinckley | $180,928 | $212,384 | $262,767 | $326,229 | $396,151 |
| Kingston | $130,832 | $180,645 | $239,972 | $311,364 | $385,856 |
| Kirkland | $104,392 | $136,604 | $191,811 | $255,006 | $300,821 |
| Lee | $91,200 | $120,161 | $160,695 | $222,046 | $296,280 |
| Leland | $112,814 | $156,677 | $230,736 | $319,968 | $410,521 |
| Malta | $122,118 | $160,843 | $199,816 | $255,970 | $343,121 |
| Maple Park | $165,850 | $212,181 | $284,868 | $334,941 | $370,179 |
| Marengo | $39,820 | $95,454 | $256,281 | $355,575 | $382,666 |
| Rochelle | $135,078 | $176,438 | $227,664 | $255,930 | $324,480 |
| Sandwich | $152,757 | $181,990 | $231,288 | $307,030 | $364,514 |
| Shabbona | $111,232 | $151,240 | $196,176 | $245,474 | $336,550 |
| Somonauk | $154,314 | $187,659 | $227,430 | $279,249 | $373,476 |
| Sycamore | $151,566 | $183,414 | $252,836 | $354,770 | $428,207 |
| Waterman | $128,227 | $162,572 | $209,036 | $249,440 | $297,663 |
| Creston | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Elburn | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Monroe Center | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Paw Paw | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Steward | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Dekalb County, Illinois
Property tax bills in DeKalb County are based on the assessed value of a home, not its market price alone. Local taxing bodies set tax rates, and those rates are applied to the assessed value to determine the final bill. Factors such as the home’s location, local government budgets, school funding, and other public services all influence how much a homeowner owes.
With a median home price of $222,627, tax bills can vary widely across the county. The 25th percentile tax bill is $4,089, while the 75th percentile reaches $7,181. At the high end, the 90th percentile tax bill is $9,264, showing how quickly costs can rise for homeowners with higher assessed values or in higher-tax areas.
Some areas face especially steep bills, with Maple Park posting the highest median tax bill at $7,389, while Lee has the lowest at $3,337. Compared with the national median property tax bill of $2,400, DeKalb County homeowners often pay substantially more, making property taxes a major part of housing costs.
Median Dekalb County Tax Bill
$5,381
Median Illinois Tax Bill
$5,277
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Dekalb County, Illinois
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Rock | $5,303 | $6,431 | $7,247 | $9,451 | $12,465 |
| Clare | $1,741 | $4,181 | $6,251 | $10,054 | $13,830 |
| Cortland | $3,621 | $4,675 | $5,998 | $7,423 | $8,964 |
| Dekalb | $3,025 | $3,841 | $4,868 | $6,267 | $7,786 |
| Earlville | $2,036 | $3,596 | $4,827 | $7,233 | $11,065 |
| Esmond | $1,879 | $3,164 | $4,855 | $6,233 | $8,659 |
| Genoa | $3,809 | $4,830 | $5,907 | $7,364 | $9,037 |
| Hampshire | $3,123 | $4,314 | $5,316 | $6,368 | $7,119 |
| Hinckley | $3,915 | $4,753 | $6,029 | $7,604 | $9,563 |
| Kingston | $3,201 | $4,315 | $5,856 | $7,641 | $9,500 |
| Kirkland | $2,433 | $3,441 | $5,054 | $7,049 | $8,490 |
| Lee | $1,526 | $2,284 | $3,337 | $5,253 | $8,528 |
| Leland | $3,144 | $4,381 | $5,838 | $9,142 | $14,838 |
| Malta | $2,632 | $3,650 | $4,749 | $6,211 | $9,351 |
| Maple Park | $4,087 | $5,487 | $7,389 | $9,043 | $10,183 |
| Marengo | $1,528 | $4,527 | $7,187 | $8,888 | $10,698 |
| Rochelle | $2,647 | $5,433 | $7,299 | $8,767 | $11,193 |
| Sandwich | $3,016 | $3,871 | $5,035 | $6,758 | $8,296 |
| Shabbona | $2,416 | $3,405 | $4,436 | $5,888 | $8,586 |
| Somonauk | $3,529 | $4,438 | $5,539 | $6,764 | $9,478 |
| Sycamore | $3,398 | $4,388 | $6,080 | $8,531 | $10,518 |
| Waterman | $2,229 | $3,324 | $4,445 | $5,564 | $7,155 |
| Creston | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Elburn | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Monroe Center | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Paw Paw | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Steward | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Don't miss the deadline to appeal!
Dates | |
|---|---|
| Appeal Deadline | June 1 |
Links | |
|---|---|
| DeKalb Tax Assessor | |
| Website | dekalbil.devnetwedge.com |