skip to Main Content

Demographic Facts

DeKalb County has experienced slow, but steady growth over the last 50 years with the population increasing nearly 14,000 residents. The ratio of females to males is 50% with the workforce representing nearly 50% of the county’s population. In fact, the median age of DeKalb County’s workforce is younger (34.7 years) than that of the State of Indiana and of the U.S.

Little-known facts

  • DeKalb County is named after Johann Baron de Kalb, a revolutionary war hero
  • The cost of living in DeKalb County is 12.6% less than the national average
  • Public schools in DeKalb County spend $155 more per student than the national average
  • The homeownership rate is 81%
  • Average commute time is 23 minutes
  • DeKalb County is 362.8 square miles of which only 1.03% is water
  • Renters make up 17.6% of the county’s population
People QuickFactsDeKalb CountyIndiana
Population, 2013 estimate42,3076,570,902
Population, 2010 (April 1) estimates base42,2236,483,797
Population, % change, April 1, 2010 to July 1, 20130.2%1.3%
Population, 201042,2236,483,802
Persons under 5 years, percent, 20136.2%6.4%
Persons under 18 years, percent, 201325.2%24.1%
Persons 65 years and over, percent, 201314.4%13.9%
Female persons, percent, 201350.4%50.7%
Housing units, 201317,5242,809,447
Homeownership rate, 2008-201279.1%70.6%
Housing units in multi-unit structures, percent, 2008-2012 12.9%18.5%
Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2008-2012$109,200$123,400
Households, 2008-201216,3502,478,846
Persons per household, 2008-20122.552.54
Per capita money income in past 12 months (2012 dollars), 2008-2012$22,193$24,558
Median household income, 2008-2012$46,065$48,374
Persons below poverty level, percent, 2008-201212.1%14.7%

For more information

Residents in Waterloo participated in a comprehensive planning process in 2013. Click here to see the full plan:

Waterloo Comprehensive Plan Final 2013